Cloze Test for SBI Clerk: 17 March 2018

Direction (Q. 1-15): In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate words in each case.

As it became (1) at the (2) US congressional hearing—where many speakers (3) the Baloch “right to self-determination”—Balochistan is also the (4) of the new Great Game, with Pakistan (5) US pressure to set up (6) there. It fears the US would try to (7) Iran through the Jundullah—a pro-Baloch, Iranian religious group with (8) CIA links—which operates on the Pak-Iran border.

The frontline is also in Islamabad. Camped for two weeks before the (9) buildings that house the President, Prime Minister, Parliament and the Supreme Court, a group of men, women and children—among them a month-old infant—(10) together in below-freezing temperatures. They are the near ones of the (11) ranks of ‘missing persons’ from across the land, but mostly from Balochistan. Their numbers grow by the day; the government remains unmoved.

“We will die here or return with our (12) ones. Those responsible for this (13) should be exposed,” said Amna Massod Janjua, chairperson, Defence of Human Rights. Only (14), expected voices rose in (15).

1. 1) distinct           2) evident      3) manifest                           4) dark                   5) broadened
2. 1) current            2) lasting        3) recent                                4) nascent             5) permanent
3. 1) stressed           2) ensured     3) dawdled                            4) grieved              5) started
4. 1) forefront         2) frontline    3) outpost                              4) apparent           5) prominent
5. 1) prohibiting     2) resisting     3) acclaiming                       4) persuading        5) checking
6. 1) emissary         2) conference    3) consulates                     4) resident             5) embassador
7. 1) deject              2) despoil        3) loom                                  4) destabilise         5) please
8. 1) implied           2) alleged       3) praised                              4) caused                5) awarded
9. 1) majestic         2) stately        3) imposing                            4) pride                   5) majority
10. 1) crowd             2) gathered    3) huddle                               4) assemblage        5) collecting
11. 1) dilate              2) expand      3) swelling                             4) bulge                    5) shrink
12. 1) destitute        2) abandoned               3) accepted            4) beloved                5) lovely
13. 1) sympathy      2) cruelty        3) apathy                              4) harsh                     5) pity
14. 1) ramble           2) peculiar     3) ordinary                            4) recognisable       5) stray
15. 1) support          2) aid              3) help                                    4) anguish               5) atmosphere

Answers:

1. 2
2. 3
3. 1
4. 2
5. 2
6. 3
7. 4
8. 2
9. 1
10. 3
11. 3
12. 4
13. 2
14. 5
15. 1