SBI Associate Clerk
Exam Paper (General English)
Exam held On 16.01.2011
Q,41-50. Read the following carefully and answer the question given below it.
Certain words are printed in bold to help you to locate while answering some of
the questions.
Once upon a time there lived a queen in the city of Benaras. Her name was
Khema and she was the wife of King Bahuputtaka. One night, the Queen had a dream
of a beautiful golden goose that spoke with great wisdom, almost as if he was a
sage. She told her husband that she desperately wanted to see a bird just like
the one in her dream. So the king asked his ministers to find out all that they
could about a bird such as this. He was told that such a bird did exist but was
extremely rare and difficult to find. They advised him to build a beautiful lake
on the outskirts of Benaras so that he may attract such rare and lovely
creatures to reside there. In this way the queen might have her wish.
Towards the north, on Mount Cittakuta, there lived about ninety thousand wild
geese headed by a beautiful golden goose called king Dhatarattha. He got to hear
of this exquisite lake surrounded by water lilies and lotuses floating on
the surface. The king had invited all the birds to come and live on it,
promising that none of them would ever be harmed. Corn was scattered on a daily
basis in order to attract the birds. So a couple of geese went up to their King,
the golden goose and told him that they were quite tired of living up on the
mountains and would like to see this wonderful lake where they had been promised
food and protection.The king agreed to their request and took the flock down
south towards Benaras.Meanwhile, at the lake King Bahuputtaka had placed hunters
all around in order to capture any golden goose that happened to pass by. So the
next morning when the headhunter saw this flock of geese approaching he was vary
excited to see their golden leader. He immediately went about setting up a
snare amongst the water lilies and lotuses, as he knew that the leader would
definitely by the first to alight.
The whole flock came flying down in one mighty swoop and as expected it was
the king’s foot that touched the water first. He was ensnared and could not
escape. Seeing this, the other geese flew into a panic. But none had the courage
to try to free their king and so flew back to Mount Cittacuta for safety. All
except one. He was the chief captain, Sumukha. King Dhatarattha entreated him to
fly to safety too, as he surely be captured if he stayed by his side. But
Sumukha replied that he would never desert his master in the face
of danger and would either try to save him or die by his side.
At this point the hunter approached and as Sumukha saw him he decided to
appeal to his compassion. The hunter asked the golden goose how come he had not
noticed the trap that was set. The golden goose replied that when one’s time was
up it was no use to struggle against what was fated and one must just accept it.
The huntsman was very impressed with his grace and wisdom. He then turned to
Sumukha and asked why he had not fled with the other birds even thought he was
free to do so. Sumukha answered that the golden goose was his King, best friend
and master and that he could never desert him even at the cost of his own life.
Hearing this, the hunter realized that these were a couple of rare birds of
great nobility. He did not much care for his own King’s reward and decided to do
the right thing and set them free. He told Sumukha that as he was ready to die
for his King he would set them both free to fly wherever they wish.
Q.41. Why were the geese keen on visiting the lake in Benaras ?
(1) They were invited personally by king Bahuputtaka.
(2) They were tired of their old lake.
(3) They were amused by the water lilies and lotuses.
(4) The lake was not very far from mountains.
(5) To lake was to be a source of good food and protection.
Q.42. Why did the king approach the ministers ?
(1) In order to find out the best location for the lake.
(2) In order to find out if golden goose existed.
(3) To enquire about his wife’s dreams.
(4) To devise a plan to capture all rare bird species.
(5) To eniquire about the best hunter in the locality.
Q.43. What advise did the minsters give to the king ?
(1) That no such golden goose existed and he was only wasting his time
searching for one.
(2) To create an artificial golden goose for the queen.
(3) To build a lake in order to attract the golden goose.
(4) To open a sanctuary of rare birds for the queen.
(5) To have a beautiful garden surrounded by flowers and trees.
Q.44. Which of the following statement would best dascribe the qualities of
Sumukha ?
