IBPS Clerk Prelims Model Paper 14

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Directions (1-5):
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/ phrases have been printed in BOLD to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Once, a rich merchant presented a beautiful cat to the Emperor of China. Eventually, the emperor became fond of the animal and took it with him wherever he went. Everywhere, people kept asking the emperor, what was the cat named and everyone was surprised, when told, that it had no name. As time progressed, the emperor realized that the cat should have a name thus he decided to find a suitable name for his pet. He called his ministers, the seven wisest men in his empire, and commanded them to find a suitable name within seven days. The ministers were warned that if they do not succeed infinding a name by the end of 7 days, they will be punished. Also, the minister whose suggestion will be accepted will receive hundred gold pieces.
The ministers did a lot of research on names that would suit the emperor's favourite pet. At the end of this period they were summoned to the palace again, and asked for their suggestions.The youngest of the group thought he had found the perfect name. ''TIGER!" he announced proudly, "Your majesty, as we all know tigers are powerful animals, it will be the best name for your pet cat.'' "Good name," said the emperor, after a moment's reflection. ''The tiger is not only a noble and powerful beast but it is also known as the cat's cousin," added the emperor.
"Noble, perhaps," said the second minister, "but it is not as powerful as the dragon. Can a tiger soar into the sky? No, but a dragon can! I think DRAGON would be a more suitable name for the cat". As the emperor was contemplating the name DRAGON, the third minister said, "Clouds can go higher than dragons. A cloud is more powerful than a dragon. Let's call it CLOUD." "Let's not be hasty," advised the fourth wise man. "Clouds may fly high but they are pushed around by winds. Winds are more powerful than clouds. WIND would be the most appropriate name for a great emperor's pet." The emperor was still not satisfied with the suggestions "WIND?" said the emperor, doubtfully. "Isn't there anything better?" The fifth wise man took this opportunity to give his suggestion. "BRICK WALL!" he exclaimed. "Why should I name my cat BRICK WALL?" asked the emperor with astonishment as it was the most unusual name he had heard till now. "A brick wall can stop the wind, however powerful," explained the fifth minister. "A brick wall is more powerful than the wind! Oh, I see," said the emperor. "Well, BRICK WALL is not a bad name. But isn't it a bit long?" "I have a shorter name," said the sixth minister "RAT" Everyone started laughing at the suggestion. "So you suggest that I must call my cat RAT?" The sixth minister replied, "yes, Your Majesty, RAT! A rat can eat through a brick wall, which makes it more powerful than the wall, more powerful than the wind, more powerful than all the suggestions given to you." "I get your point," interrupted the emperor, "but can you call a cat, RAT?" "Indeed you can't!" piped up the seventh wise man who was the eldest among all seven. "A Cat is a cat. How can one call a cat RAT?Also if a rat is more powerful than the others the cat is even more so because it is mightier than the rat. The emperor was impressed with the seventh minister's suggestion and decided to accept it. So the royal pet remained nameless in a way because from then on it was simply called CAT. But the minister who suggested this name was rewarded as promised.
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