(Download) Bank of India Clerk Solved Paper: 2008 | English Language

Directions” (Q. 1- 15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.

The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in batttle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, theyspiedsome children play. The King said, œLet me go and see what they are playing.

The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, œWho is fighting whom ? They said, œKarnat is at battle with Kanchi. The King asked, œWho is winning and who is the loser ? The children puffed their chests up and said, œKarnat will win and Kanchi will lose. The Ministerfrozein disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.

The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were stillimmersedin their game. The King commanded, œCane them hard. The childrens parents came running from the nearby village and said, œThey are naive, it was just a game, please grant thempardon. The King called his commander and ordered, œTeach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi. He went back to his camp.

That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, œYour Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village. The Minister said, œHis Majestys honour has been saved. The priest said, œThe goddess has blessed our King. The jester said, œYour Highness, please grant meleaveto go now. The King asked, œBut why ? The jester said, œI cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at Gods gift of life. Trembling in the face of the kings anger he bravely continued, œIf I stay in your Majestys court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.

1. Why were the elephants carrying loads of gold and other valuables ?
(A) This was what the king had looted from Karnat to distribute among his soldiers as a reward
(B) This was the kings offering to the deity out of gratitude for making him victorious
(C) It was what the king had plundered from Karnat to display to the people of his kingdom as a sign of victory
(D) So that the people of the kingdom of Karnat acknowledged him as their new ruler
(E) None of these

2. Why did the king anoint his head with red sandal paste ?
(A) As a mark of celebration to show he had been victorious
(B) It was the usual practice for all devotees at the temple
(C) To show other devotees that he was king
(D) The priest requested him to do so
(E) To show his soldiers that he had visited the temple

3. Which of the following cannot be said about the jester ?
1. He was not a loyal subject of the king.
2. He was afraid of the kings temper.
3. He did not support the kings war against Karnat.
(A) Both 1 and 3
(B) Only 1
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these

4. What excuse was given for the childrens behaviour ?
(A) They were disobedient to their parents wishes
(B) They were unaware of the true facts of the battle
(C) They were upset that their army had lost
(D) They were in the habit of lying
(E) None of these

5. Why did the jester laugh at the childrens reply to the king ?
1. They correctly predicted the outcome of the battle.
2. Their reply was cheeky because they knew he was the king.
3. He wanted to show that their reply was a joke to save them from being punished by the king.
(A) Only 1
(B) Both 1 and 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 2 and 3
(E) None of these