Dear Aspirants, Finally the most challenging and toughest exam SBI PO has started on 29 April 2017. In the English section, there were total 30 questions. Reading Comprehension 10 Q, Cloze test 10 Q and Phrase replacement 10 Q. In this post, we will discuss questions related to 'Cloze test'. These types of questions are based on the vocabulary and phrasal verbs. Students are advised to revise vocabulary and phrasal verbs. We have already provided Important Phrasal verbs for SBI PO and other bank exams as well.
Directions (1-8): Read the following paragraph. Answer the questions based on this paragraph.
A main component of NASA’s search for evidence of life on Mars is the identification of biosignatures. The most common of these indicative markets of extant or extinct life are carbonate minerals, which are formed when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reacts with other minerals and liquid water. A widely-held belief among astrobiologists is that proof of running or standing liquid water can be construed as diagnostic evidence of the existence of life. It has been established that a large portion of the red planet’s surface contains areas of frozen water, leading some scientists to theorize that the climate of ancient Mars was hotter and wetter than today, with a greenhouse- like atmosphere heavy with carbon dioxide. In this type of atmosphere, the existence of vast oceans similar to that of Earth would have been a very real possibility. Images of the landscape of Mars have lent support to these theories. Massive surface erosions resembling the Grand Canyon and land features that appear to be dried-up sea floor suggest that liquid water was indeed present on Mars at one point in the planet’s history. But recent findings on the planet paint a different picture. If this model of ancient Mars were true, there should be a significant carbonate presence on the planet, but this is not the case. Though trace carbonates have been identified, the amounts are not commensurate with the prolonged existence of large bodies of flowing liquid water. These curious findings support other scientific theories that purport that Mars was never warm and wet, and that except for a few very brief cataclysmic instances in its history, Mars has always been a frozen planet, at least on the surface. However, if this proves to be true, it does not necessarily preclude the existence of life on the red planet. Indeed, a critical flaw in the extraterrestrial search for biosignatures like carbonates is that we are applying traditional criteria for diagnostic markers of life on Earth to another planet, and as new discoveries are teaching us, our understanding of life on our own planet is limited, and accordingly, so is our index of biosignatures. For example, microscopic life forms have recently been found in some of the most extreme temperatures and environments on our planet that scientists previously believed were completely inhospitable to the support of life. Evidence of rock-eating microbes has been discovered almost a mile beneath the ocean floor, and living in the seemingly dead deep-freeze of Antarctic ice. Elsewhere, other microbes have been found thriving in caustic environments of toxic gas, and swimming in scorching sulfur pools. Such findings contradict the traditional idea that a specified, delicate set of circumstances is necessary for the development and sustenance of life. Ironically enough, this leads us to the conclusion that before we can embark upon a truly effective search for life on other planets, we must start with an exhaustive one right here on Earth.
Q1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(a) describe different astrobiological theories about the history of Mars
(b) dispute the possibility of the existence of any life form on Mars
(c) detail the extraterrestrial implications of new life-form discoveries for Earth
(d) offer an alternate strategy for effectively identifying signs of e extraterrestrial life
(e) illustrate the uses and limitations of biosignatures as a means of inferring extraterrestrial life
Q2. The author indicates that the discovery of very few carbonates on the surface of Mars mainly served to
(a) support the idea that the climate of Mars was once warm and wet
(b) prove incontrovertibly that life has never existed on Mars
(c) prompt astrobiologists to turn their attention to Earth for answers
(d) cast doubt on a popular theory about the climate of ancient Mars
(e) spawn an entirely new theory about the history of Mars
Q3. In the context of the passage, which of the following best describes the author’s opinion on the astrobiologists’ “extraterrestrial search for biosignatures” (lines 38-39)?
(a) The search is an investigation of an exigent nature,
(b) The search is a interesting endeavor some what circumscribed in scope.
(c) The search is a nonsensical waste of money and efforts.
(d) The search is critical to better understanding our own planet’s history.
(e) The search is a quest fueled by suspicious motives.
Q4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is/are true of Mars?
I. There are carbonate minerals present on its surface.
II. It once had a greenhouse-like atmosphere.
III. It shares geological similarities with Earth.
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) I and II only
(d) I and III only
(e) I, II, and III
Q5. All of the following statements can be inferred from the examples of the “new discoveries” on Earth (line 42) EXCEPT
(a) The ice on Mars is possibly a biosignature.
(b) Scientific knowledge is constantly being revised.
(c) It is possible that life may be found deep beneath the surface of Mars.
(d) Bacterial life is much heartier and persistent than previously realized.
(e) Carbonates are not applicable as a biosignature on other planets
Q6. Which of the following details, if added to the passage, would best support the theory that Mars was never wet or warm?
(a) The erosion on the surface of Mars may have been forged by flash floods created from the fiery impact of huge asteroids covered in ice.
(b) The apparent canyons and sea floors were formed by years of superheated flowing lava.
(c) A huge asteroid impact caused the carbon dioxide gas in the Martian atmosphere to dissipate into space.
(d) Carbonate levels similar to that on the surface of Mars have been discovered in a riverbed in Spain.
(e) Fossilized evidence of Earth-like flora has been uncovered near Mars’ north pole.
Q7. The function of the passage’s final sentence is to
(a) summarize the main points made about biosignatures in the passage.
(b) propose a radical idea concerning the search for signs of extraterrestrial life.
(c) draw a conclusion from the examples given in the two preceding sentences that applies to the entire passage.
(d) disparage the conventional thinking of many of those who work in the field of astrobiology.
(e) reiterate the idea that searching for biosignatures on Mars is a pointless task.
Q8. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following would be considered an extraterrestrial biosignature?
I. a sedimentary fossil
II. amino acids associated with life on Earth
III. apparent surface erosion caused by a liquid
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) I and II only
(d) I and III only
(e) I, II, and III
Directions (9-15): Choose the word which is not a synonym for the given word.
Q9. Porcelain
(a) ceramics
(b) pottery
(c) earthenware
(d) mirror
(e) none of these
Q10. Eccentric
(a) aberrant
(b) atypical
(c) facile
(d) bizarre
(e) none of these
Q11. Quagmire
(a) fen
(b) morass
(c) swamp
(d) palisade
(e) none of these
Q12. Stockade
(a) rampart
(b) fence
(c) paling
(d) shuttle
(e) none of these
Q13. Bestial
(a) feral
(b) feminine
(c) fiendish
(d) savage
(e) none of these
Q14. Revelry
(a) jollity
(b) slough
(c) conviviality
(d) feasting
(e) none of these
Q15. Fester
(a) putrefy
(b) ulcerate
(c) rot
(d) retrieve
(e) none of these
Solutions
S1. Ans.(e)
Sol. It was no mistake that the test-maker set the choice concerning different theories about Mars at the top (A)-It’s a very attractive choice because the passage does describe two specific mars theories in some detail. But in the context of the passage as a whole, these theories are support for what the passage is really about: biosignatures. The first half of the passage describes the uses of biosignatures as a means of inferring extraterrestrial life, and the second half of the passage is concerned with its limitations. Looking through the choices, these two items best match (E), which is the correct answer.
Nowhere in the passage is the possibility of life on Mars disputed (B), or does the author offer an alternative to searching for biosignatures (D), so both are incorrect. At the end of the passage the author does infer that there are extraterrestrial implications for discoveries on Earth (C), but there are no details offered regarding implications, and either way, it is not the passage’s primary purpose.
S2. Ans.(d)
Sol. The author indicates that the discovery of very few carbonates suggests that there probably were never large bodies of water on Mars similar to that on Earth. This directly contradicts a theory offered in the passage proposing that the climate on mars was once warm and wet. Consequently, (A) is eliminated, and (D) is the correct answer. As for (B), though carbonates are a biosignature, to make the extreme statement that their general absence on Mars proves beyond a doubt that life never existed there would be a mistake; in fact the author specifically states in lines 37-38 that a lack of carbonates does not necessarily preclude the existence of life. Choice (C) is a distortion of details from the passage; the author suggests that scientists should turn their attention to Earth for answer, but it is never indicated that they do. Finally, while (E) is probably true, it is not stated anywhere in the passage.
S3. Ans.(b)
Sol. A good strategy for answering these kind of questions is to refer back to the text for each answer to see which choices are supported by the passage and which are not. Does the author imply anywhere in the passage that the search for life on Mars is an urgent matter? No, so (A) is incorrect. As for (B), the author’s knowledge on the subject certainly suggest that she finds it interesting, and it can also be inferred that the she believes the search is circumscribed in scope from her statement in lines 43-44 about the limited index of biosignatures. Choice (B) looks like the answer, but it’s always best to look at all answer choices before definitively chosing an answer. Looking at (C), the conclusion that the author draws in the final sentence of the passage could infer that she believes that the extraterrestrial search for biosignatures is a waste of efforts, but money is never mentioned or suggested. Also, the final sentence directly contradicts (D); the author believes that the further investigation of Earth is important to understanding Mars, not vice-versa. Finally, suspicious motives are not hinted at anywhere in the passage, so (E) is off your list. Choice (B) is the answer.
S4. Ans.(d)
Sol. For this question, you must look to the passage for specific details about Mars. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Statement I is untrue, there are carbonates present on the surface of Mars, they are just not commensurate with the prolonged existence of large bodies of flowing liquid water. Knowing this option is true, you can exclude (B). Statement II is mentioned early in the passage as part of a theory that is subsequently discounted. Thus, you can eliminate choices (C) and (E). Features of Mars that resemble the Grand Canyon and dried-up sea floor support Statement III, so this is true as well. If Statements I and III are true (D), then (A) must be excluded. Choice (D) is the correct answer.
S5. Ans.(e)
Sol. This question asks for the choice that cannot be inferred by the examples of the new discoveries the author gives in the passage. Do any of the examples form Earth share something in common with Mars? Yes, the fact life has been found in the “seemingly dead deep-freeze of Antarctic ice” may suggest the possibility of life in the “areas of frozen water” (line 12) on Mars, so (A) is excluded. In line 24, the author statement that the new discoveries contract traditional scientific ideas infers that scientific knowledge is constantly being revised (B). the specific traditional scientific idea contradicted is that “a specified, delicate set of circumstances is necessary for the development and sustenance of life,” (D) may be excluded. From the examples, it stands to reason that if microbes can be found a mile beneath the ocean floor, it is possible that they may also be found deep beneath the surface of Mars (C). You are left with only one possible answer, and it’s the correct one: (E). These new discoveries do not devalue carbonates as a biosignature, they simply illustrate the author’s point that there are numerous, alternative possibilities.
S6. Ans.(a)
Sol. Look for the choice that best fits with the details already supplied in the passage about the theory of Mars as a frozen planet, as well as serves to strengthen theory as a whole. Choice (A) immediately fits those criteria. The flashfloods would explain the formation of canyons and apparent sea floor on Mars without the “the prolonged existence of large bodies of flowing liquid water’ (line 30). It also could also describe one of the “very brief cataclysmic instances” mentioned when discussing the theory (lines 33-34). Choice (A) looks like it could be the answer. Years of superheated flowing lava (B) could explain the erosion on Mars, but doesn’t match well with the idea of a frozen planet. Choice (C) implies that the greenhouse-like Mars did exist at one point, so this choice can be excluded. Along those lines, (E) can be excluded as well; evidence of Earthlike flora suggests that the climate at one time was similar to Earth, and therefore temperate. As for (D), this choice would be very good support for the “wet and warm” theory as well because implies that liquid water could have existed on Mars even with evidence to the contrary. The first choice was the best, (A).
S7. Ans.(c)
Sol. The author uses the final sentence to wrap up the entire passage as well as state his opinion on the astrobiological search for biosignatures. In (A), the word summarize is all you really need to read to know that the choice is incorrect; the final sentence is not a summary of any point from the passage. Choice (B) is intriguing because in a way the conclusion the author draws in the final sentence of a description for (B) to be correct; the author bases the conclusion on solid examples that make it seem like common sense. Based on what we’ve just established, (C) seems like the correct answer. The author’s conclusion in the final sentence regarding “a truly effective search” for extraterrestrial life is drawn from the examples in the two preceding sentences, and it wraps up the passage nicely. Choice (C) is your answer. Choice (D) is incorrect because though the final sentence offers a revised course of action from astrobiology, it is not disparaging in tone or vocabulary. Choice (E) cannot be correct because in would be impossible to reiterate a point from the passage that was never made in the first place.
S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. In the passage, the author defines biosignatures as indicative markers of extinct life (lines 3-4), or, to be more exact, anything that can be construed as diagnostic evidence of the existence of life (lines 9–10). Applying these definitions to the three statements given in the question, it is obvious that a fossil would be considered a biosignature, so Statement I is true. You can therefore eliminate (B). A key word in the definitions from the passage is construed, which in this context can be defined as interpreted a. Looking at Statement II, could amino acids associated with life on Earth possible be interpreted as a sign of life on Mars? It’s fair to say that your answer would be yes; Statements II is true as well. Choices (A) and (D) can be excluded. Statement III is a s bit tricky; if it said that the surface erosion was caused by liquid water, (E) would be your answer. However, the option does not specify what type of liquid caused the surface erosion, and therefore it cannot be considered true. Choice (C) is the correct answer.
S9. Ans.(d)
Sol.Porcelain meaning: a white vitrified translucent ceramic; china.
, an article made of porcelain, porcelain articles collectively. first three words (a) ceramics (b) pottery (c) earthenware are related to porcelain, but (d) glass is irrelevant. hence, D is correct answer.
S10. Ans.(c)
Sol.Eccentric meaning: (of a person or their behaviour) unconventional and slightly strange. hence, (a) aberrant, (b) atypical and (d) bizarre are synonyms to the given word in the question. Option (c) facile is irrelevant, hence the correct answer.
S11. Ans.(d)
Sol. Quagmire meaning: a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.
morass meaning: an area of muddy or boggy ground.
fen meaning: a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land.
but palisade Meaning: a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure or defence.
Hence, except palisade, all words are synonym to the word given in the question.
S12. Ans.(d)
Sol. stockade meaning: a barrier formed from upright wooden posts or stakes, especially as a defence against attack or as a means of confining animals.
rampart meaning: a defensive wall of a castle or walled city, having a broad top with a walkway and typically a stone parapet.
paling-a fence made from pointed wooden or metal posts.
shuttle meaning: a form of transport that travels regularly between two places.
hence, option D is correct answer.
S13. Ans.(b)
Sol. bestial-savagely cruel and depraved.
feral-(especially of an animal) in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.
fiendish-extremely cruel or unpleasant.
savage-(of an animal or force of nature) fierce, violent, and uncontrolled.
hence, feminine is correct option.
S14. Ans.(b)
Sol. revelry-lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol.
jollity-lively and cheerful activity or celebration.
conviviality-the quality of being friendly and lively; friendliness.
feast-eat and drink sumptuously.
slough-a situation characterized by lack of progress or activity.
hence option B is the correct answer.
S15. Ans.(d)
Sol. fester-(of food or rubbish) become rotten and offensive to the senses.
putrefy-(of a body or other organic matter) decay or rot and produce a fetid smell.
ulcerate-If a part of someone's body is ulcerated, ulcers have developed on it.
rot-(chiefly of animal or vegetable matter) decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose.
retrieve-get or bring (something) back from somewhere.
hence, option D is correct answer.
