State Bank of India Clerk Exam, 2008 General English: Solved Paper 7

Directions—(Q. 1–10) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of
the questions.
There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to
happily recall, “One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a
pipal tree.” He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his daughter and taught
her to sing before she spoke her first word.
The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many
people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music
master's heart quake with fear. “You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to
become of me ?” The girl replied, “I shall not be apart from you.” But on a full moon night
during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said,
“Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me.” The master's
tears flowed freely, “She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of
many melodies that you will sing together.” The two began to sing in harmony. But the song
was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. “Your daughter is very fortunate-the king
has sent for her,” the messenger said. At the palace the Queen summoned the girl to her and
said, ”I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her
husband's home.” There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes but she thought of the master and
her heart was heavy.
That very night the princess began her journey to Kambhoj. The princess's royal chariot led the
procession and the girl's palanquin followed close behind carrying trunks of silks, jewellry and
precious stones. It was covered with a velvet sheet and had soldiers on both sides. As the
procession passed, the master and his disciple Kumarsen stood still by the wayside. A collective
sigh escaped the crowd gathered there wishing that the princess wouldn't feel homesick in her
faraway home.
1. Which of the following can be said about the girl ?
(1) She was brought up by her father as her mother had died when she was a baby.
(2) She was a talented singer who had learnt to sing at an early age.
(3) She was only allowed to sing with the master's permission.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Both (1) and (2)
(C) Only (2)
(D) All (1), (2) and (3)
(E) None of these
2. What was the girl's reaction to leaving home ?
(A) She was honoured to be serving the princess
(B) Sadness at leaving the master.
(C) She entrusted the task of looking after the music master to Kumarasen
(D) She was thrilled to be living in luxury
(E) None of these

3. What task was entrusted to the girl by the Queen ?

(A) Seeing that her daughter reached Kambhoj safely

(B) Entertaining the princess on her journey to Kambhoj

(C) Protecting the princess and reporting to the queen if she was unhappy

(D) Ensuring the princess' happiness

(E) None of these

4. What was the master's reaction to the girl's decision to marry his disciple ?

(A) He was upset and cried

(B) He promised to give his permission if the couple sang well together

(C) He was sad because she would be going to Kambhoj which was far away

(D) He was pleased with her choice of husband

(E) None of these

5. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage ?

(1) The girl was leaving the master and going to Kambhoj once she was married.

(2) The king sent for the girl because she was a good singer.

(3) The master did not let the girl study any other subject except music.

(A) Only (1)

(B) Both (1) and (2)

(C) All (1), (2) and (3)

(D) Both (1) and (3)

(E) None of these

6. Why was the princess going on a journey ?

(1) She was going to her prospective husband's home to get engaged.

(2) Her parents wanted her to visit the kingdom of which she would be the future queen.

(3) To take expensive gifts for the rulers of the Kambhoj who were well known to her parents.

(A) None

(B) Only (2)

(C) Only (1)

(D) Both (1) and (2)

(E) Both (2) and (3)

7. Why was the master afraid ?

(A) He felt the princess would treat the young girl unkindly

(B) He would be all alone after the girl's marriage

(C) The girl may not be able to adapt to her new home

(D) He was slowly going blind.

(E) None of these

Answers:

1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (E) 5. (B)

6. (A) 7. (B)