IBPS PO 2018 Previous Year Question Paper

Reading comprehension

Packaging makes up the largest single share of the plastic a city throws away, and most of it is in use for only minutes before it is discarded. A crisp wrapper or a shampoo sachet does its job well: it is light, cheap and keeps the contents dry. The trouble begins afterwards. Rigid bottles made of a single plastic have a resale value, so waste pickers collect them and they are recycled. Multi-layered wrappers, which bond plastic to foil or paper, have almost none, because separating the layers costs more than the material is worth. These are the items that clog drains, drift into rivers and are burned in open heaps.

Rules that make producers responsible for collecting the packaging they put on the market are meant to close this gap. In principle, a company that sells ten thousand tonnes of packaged snacks must arrange for an equivalent quantity of packaging to be collected and processed. In practice, enforcement has relied on certificates that are easy to obtain and hard to verify, and much of the 'processed' waste ends up as fuel in cement kilns rather than as new packaging.

Bans on particular items attract headlines but cover a small part of the problem. A more durable change would come from designing packaging to be recycled: fewer layers, a single type of plastic, and refill systems for products such as detergents. Such changes cost companies money at first, which is why they tend to follow regulation rather than precede it.

1. According to the passage, why are rigid single-plastic bottles recycled while multi-layered wrappers are not?

   1. Bottles are lighter and easier to carry than wrappers
   2. Wrappers are banned from recycling plants by law
   3. Bottles have a resale value, while separating a wrapper's layers costs more than the material is worth
   4. Wrappers are burned in cement kilns as soon as they are collected
   5. Bottles are collected by producers under certificate schemes
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: C (Bottles have a resale value, while separating a wrapper's layers costs more than the material is worth)

   Paragraph 1: single-plastic bottles 'have a resale value, so waste pickers collect them'; multi-layered wrappers have almost none 'because separating the layers costs more than the material is worth'.

2. Which of the following does the passage present as a weakness in how producer-responsibility rules have worked?

   1. Companies are not required to collect any packaging
   2. Enforcement has relied on certificates that are easy to obtain and hard to verify
   3. The rules apply only to bottles and not to wrappers
   4. Waste pickers are barred from collecting packaging
   5. Cement kilns refuse to accept plastic waste
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: B (Enforcement has relied on certificates that are easy to obtain and hard to verify)

   Paragraph 2 says the rules work 'in principle', but 'in practice, enforcement has relied on certificates that are easy to obtain and hard to verify', and much processed waste is burned as kiln fuel.

3. Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to 'durable' as used in the passage.

   1. lasting
   2. robust
   3. fleeting
   4. enduring
   5. sound
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: C (fleeting)

   'A more durable change' means one that lasts. Lasting, robust, enduring and sound are similar in sense; 'fleeting' (short-lived) is the opposite.

4. What does the last sentence of the passage suggest?

   1. Companies usually redesign packaging for recycling only after rules require it
   2. Recyclable packaging is cheaper for companies from the start
   3. Regulation has no effect on how packaging is designed
   4. Companies prefer bans on particular items to redesign
   5. Refill systems have already replaced sachets for detergents
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: A (Companies usually redesign packaging for recycling only after rules require it)

   Because such changes 'cost companies money at first', they 'tend to follow regulation rather than precede it': firms act when rules make them. The other options contradict or go beyond the passage.

Cloze test

Paper bags are often presented as the (1) ______ answer to plastic. But a paper bag takes more energy and water to make, and it must be reused several times before its larger manufacturing footprint is (2) ______.

5. Choose the word that best fits blank (1).

   1. obsolete
   2. reluctant
   3. hidden
   4. obvious
   5. costly
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: D (obvious)

   The second sentence ('But ...') questions a common assumption, so the first must state that assumption: paper is presented as the 'obvious' answer. The other words do not set up that contrast.

6. Choose the word that best fits blank (2).

   1. enlarged
   2. offset
   3. ignored
   4. printed
   5. doubled
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: B (offset)

   Reusing the bag spreads its manufacturing cost over more trips until the extra footprint is balanced out, i.e. 'offset'. Enlarged and doubled reverse the sense; ignored and printed do not fit.

Grammar: incorrect phrase

7. Which of the following phrases in the sentence is grammatically incorrect? The chairman, along with his advisers, [have recommended] that single-use carry bags [be phased out] over two years, [beginning with] the largest cities, [where waste is] most visible.

   1. have recommended
   2. be phased out
   3. beginning with
   4. where waste is
   5. All are correct
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: A (have recommended)

   A phrase introduced by 'along with' does not change the number of the subject. The subject is 'The chairman' (singular), so it should be 'has recommended'. 'Be phased out' is the correct subjunctive after 'recommended that'.

Grammar: correct sentence

8. Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

   1. Each of the shopkeepers have agreed to stop using plastic bags.
   2. The shopkeepers, as well as the vendor, has agreed to stop using plastic bags.
   3. Neither the vendors nor the shopkeeper are willing to pay more for paper bags.
   4. Not only the vendors but also the shopkeeper is willing to switch to paper bags.
   5. The number of shops that has switched to paper bags are small.
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: D (Not only the vendors but also the shopkeeper is willing to switch to paper bags.)

   With 'not only ... but also' the verb agrees with the nearer subject ('the shopkeeper'), so 'is' is right. The others: 'Each ... has'; 'The shopkeepers, as well as the vendor, have'; 'Neither ... nor the shopkeeper is'; 'shops that have switched ... is small'.

Data interpretation: line graph (values tabulated)

A line graph showed the number of home loans disbursed by two banks, X and Y, in five years. Its values are given in the table.

9. In which year was the difference between the loans disbursed by X and Y the greatest?

   1. 2013
   2. 2014
   3. 2015
   4. 2016
   5. 2017
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: D (2016)

   Differences: 2013: 30, 2014: 10, 2015: 25, 2016: 40, 2017: 15. The greatest is 40, in 2016.

10. By what percentage did the loans disbursed by X rise from 2014 to 2017?

    1. 35%
    2. 30%
    3. 60%
    4. 45%
    5. 40%
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (40%)

    (210 − 150) ÷ 150 × 100 = 60 ÷ 150 × 100 = 40%.

11. What is the total number of loans disbursed by Y over the five years?

    1. 715
    2. 735
    3. 745
    4. 705
    5. 725
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (725)

    90 + 140 + 160 + 140 + 195 = 725.

12. What is the average number of loans disbursed by X per year?

    1. 162
    2. 159
    3. 156
    4. 153
    5. 165
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (159)

    Total for X = 120 + 150 + 135 + 180 + 210 = 795; average = 795 ÷ 5 = 159.

Data interpretation: pie chart (shares tabulated)

A pie chart showed how a family divides its monthly income of ₹48,000. The percentage shares are given in the table.

13. What is the central angle of the sector for Rent in the pie chart?

    1. 72°
    2. 81°
    3. 85.5°
    4. 76.5°
    5. 90°
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (81°)

    Angle = 22.5% of 360° = 0.225 × 360 = 81°.

14. By what percentage is the amount saved more than the amount spent on transport?

    1. 50%
    2. 37.5%
    3. 60%
    4. 40%
    5. 66.67%
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (60%)

    Savings = 20% of 48,000 = ₹9600; Transport = 12.5% of 48,000 = ₹6000. (9600 − 6000) ÷ 6000 × 100 = 60%.

Quadratic equations

In each question two equations (I and II) are given. Solve both and mark the correct relationship between x and y.

15. Solve both equations and choose the correct relationship between x and y. I. x² − 5x − 24 = 0 II. y² − 2y − 15 = 0

    1. x > y
    2. x ≥ y
    3. x < y
    4. x ≤ y
    5. x = y or the relationship cannot be established
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (x = y or the relationship cannot be established)

    I: x = -3, 8. II: y = -3, 5. Comparing every pair of values gives: x = y or the relationship cannot be established.

16. Solve both equations and choose the correct relationship between x and y. I. 2x² + 13x + 21 = 0 II. y² − y − 2 = 0

    1. x > y
    2. x ≥ y
    3. x < y
    4. x ≤ y
    5. x = y or the relationship cannot be established
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (x < y)

    I: x = -7/2, -3. II: y = -1, 2. Comparing every pair of values gives: x < y.

Arithmetic

17. A boat's speed in still water is 15 km/h and the stream flows at 3 km/h. How long will the boat take to go 36 km downstream and come back?

    1. 6 hours
    2. 4 hours
    3. 5.5 hours
    4. 5 hours
    5. 4.5 hours
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (5 hours)

    Downstream speed = 18 km/h, time = 36 ÷ 18 = 2 h. Upstream speed = 12 km/h, time = 36 ÷ 12 = 3 h. Total = 5 hours.

18. A starts a business with ₹24,000 and B joins at the same time with ₹36,000. After 4 months A adds ₹6,000 more. Out of a profit of ₹33,600 at the end of the year, what is B's share?

    1. ₹18900
    2. ₹19600
    3. ₹18000
    4. ₹16800
    5. ₹20160
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (₹18900)

    A's capital-months = 24,000 × 4 + 30,000 × 8 = 336,000; B's = 36,000 × 12 = 432,000. Ratio = 7 : 9. B's share = 33,600 × 9/16 = ₹18900.

Box stacking puzzle

Seven boxes J, K, L, M, N, O and P are kept one above another in a single stack. The bottom position is numbered 1 and the top position 7. Each box has a different colour: Brown, Grey, Violet, Cream, Orange, Silver and Maroon.

J is kept exactly in the middle of the stack. K is kept somewhere above J, and M somewhere above K. Only three boxes are kept between K and the Grey box. The Grey box is kept immediately above O. The Maroon box is immediately below P, and the Orange box immediately above P. Only three boxes are kept between N and the Cream box. The Violet box is kept below J. L is not at the bottom, and L is immediately above the Brown box. The Brown box is not adjacent to J.

19. Which box is kept immediately above the Violet box?

    1. L
    2. P
    3. O
    4. J
    5. K
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (J)

    J is 4th. K is above J and four places from Grey, and Grey sits directly on O, so either K = 6, Grey = 2, O = 1 or K = 7, Grey = 3, O = 2; K = 7 is impossible because M must be above K. So K = 6, M = 7, Grey = 2, O = 1. P needs Maroon below and Orange above it, so P is 2, 3 or 5. P = 3 would make the 2nd box Maroon (it is Grey); P = 2 would make boxes 1, 2, 3 Maroon, Grey and Orange, leaving no place below J for Violet. So P = 5, J = Maroon, K = Orange. L and N take 2 and 3; L directly above Brown with the 2nd box Grey forces L = 2 and O = Brown, so N = 3. N is four places from Cream, so M (7) is Cream. Violet is below J, so N is Violet and P is Silver. Final (top to bottom): 7: M (Cream); 6: K (Orange); 5: P (Silver); 4: J (Maroon); 3: N (Violet); 2: L (Grey); 1: O (Brown). Above the Violet box (N, position 3) is J.

20. What is the colour of box P?

    1. Maroon
    2. Orange
    3. Silver
    4. Cream
    5. Violet
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (Silver)

    J is 4th. K is above J and four places from Grey, and Grey sits directly on O, so either K = 6, Grey = 2, O = 1 or K = 7, Grey = 3, O = 2; K = 7 is impossible because M must be above K. So K = 6, M = 7, Grey = 2, O = 1. P needs Maroon below and Orange above it, so P is 2, 3 or 5. P = 3 would make the 2nd box Maroon (it is Grey); P = 2 would make boxes 1, 2, 3 Maroon, Grey and Orange, leaving no place below J for Violet. So P = 5, J = Maroon, K = Orange. L and N take 2 and 3; L directly above Brown with the 2nd box Grey forces L = 2 and O = Brown, so N = 3. N is four places from Cream, so M (7) is Cream. Violet is below J, so N is Violet and P is Silver. Final (top to bottom): 7: M (Cream); 6: K (Orange); 5: P (Silver); 4: J (Maroon); 3: N (Violet); 2: L (Grey); 1: O (Brown).

21. How many boxes are kept between the Brown box and K?

    1. 3
    2. 4
    3. 5
    4. 1
    5. 2
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (4)

    J is 4th. K is above J and four places from Grey, and Grey sits directly on O, so either K = 6, Grey = 2, O = 1 or K = 7, Grey = 3, O = 2; K = 7 is impossible because M must be above K. So K = 6, M = 7, Grey = 2, O = 1. P needs Maroon below and Orange above it, so P is 2, 3 or 5. P = 3 would make the 2nd box Maroon (it is Grey); P = 2 would make boxes 1, 2, 3 Maroon, Grey and Orange, leaving no place below J for Violet. So P = 5, J = Maroon, K = Orange. L and N take 2 and 3; L directly above Brown with the 2nd box Grey forces L = 2 and O = Brown, so N = 3. N is four places from Cream, so M (7) is Cream. Violet is below J, so N is Violet and P is Silver. Final (top to bottom): 7: M (Cream); 6: K (Orange); 5: P (Silver); 4: J (Maroon); 3: N (Violet); 2: L (Grey); 1: O (Brown). Brown is at 1 and K at 6: 4 boxes between.

22. Which of the following box–colour pairs is correctly matched?

    1. M – Orange
    2. O – Grey
    3. N – Violet
    4. L – Brown
    5. K – Silver
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (N – Violet)

    J is 4th. K is above J and four places from Grey, and Grey sits directly on O, so either K = 6, Grey = 2, O = 1 or K = 7, Grey = 3, O = 2; K = 7 is impossible because M must be above K. So K = 6, M = 7, Grey = 2, O = 1. P needs Maroon below and Orange above it, so P is 2, 3 or 5. P = 3 would make the 2nd box Maroon (it is Grey); P = 2 would make boxes 1, 2, 3 Maroon, Grey and Orange, leaving no place below J for Violet. So P = 5, J = Maroon, K = Orange. L and N take 2 and 3; L directly above Brown with the 2nd box Grey forces L = 2 and O = Brown, so N = 3. N is four places from Cream, so M (7) is Cream. Violet is below J, so N is Violet and P is Silver. Final (top to bottom): 7: M (Cream); 6: K (Orange); 5: P (Silver); 4: J (Maroon); 3: N (Violet); 2: L (Grey); 1: O (Brown).

Syllogism

23. Statements: No bottles are bags. All bags are wraps. Some wraps are cups. Conclusions: I. Some wraps are not bottles. II. Some cups are bags. Decide which conclusion(s) logically follow from the statements, disregarding commonly known facts.

    1. Only conclusion I follows
    2. Only conclusion II follows
    3. Either conclusion I or II follows
    4. Neither conclusion I nor II follows
    5. Both conclusions I and II follow
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (Only conclusion I follows)

    All bags are wraps and no bag is a bottle, so the wraps that are bags are not bottles: I follows. Some wraps are cups, but those cups need not be bags, so II is not definite. Answer: Only conclusion I follows.

24. Statements: All cups are bottles. Some bottles are wraps. All wraps are bags. Conclusions: I. Some bags are bottles. II. All cups being wraps is a possibility. Decide which conclusion(s) logically follow from the statements, disregarding commonly known facts.

    1. Only conclusion I follows
    2. Only conclusion II follows
    3. Either conclusion I or II follows
    4. Neither conclusion I nor II follows
    5. Both conclusions I and II follow
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (Both conclusions I and II follow)

    Some bottles are wraps and all wraps are bags, so those bottles are bags: some bags are bottles, I follows. Cups lie inside bottles and nothing separates cups from wraps, so all cups being wraps is possible: II follows. Answer: Both conclusions I and II follow.

Inequality

25. Statements: G > H ≥ I, I < J ≤ K, L = H. Conclusions: I. J > H II. G > I. Which conclusion(s) is/are definitely true?

    1. Only conclusion I is true
    2. Only conclusion II is true
    3. Either conclusion I or II is true
    4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
    5. Both conclusions I and II are true
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (Only conclusion II is true)

    H and J are both above I with no link between them, so I is not definite. G > H ≥ I gives G > I, so II is true. Answer: Only conclusion II is true.

26. Statements: W ≥ X = Y, Y > Z, V ≤ Z. Conclusions: I. V = Z II. Z > W. Which conclusion(s) is/are definitely true?

    1. Only conclusion I is true
    2. Only conclusion II is true
    3. Either conclusion I or II is true
    4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
    5. Both conclusions I and II are true
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (Neither conclusion I nor II is true)

    V ≤ Z allows V < Z, so I is not definite. W ≥ X = Y > Z gives W > Z, so 'Z > W' is false. Answer: Neither conclusion I nor II is true.

Blood relation and coding-decoding

27. Pointing to a woman, Rohit said, 'She is the only daughter of the father of my mother's brother.' How is the woman related to Rohit?

    1. Aunt
    2. Mother
    3. Grandmother
    4. Sister
    5. Cousin
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (Mother)

    The father of Rohit's mother's brother is Rohit's maternal grandfather. His only daughter is Rohit's mother.

28. In a certain code language 'PLASTIC' is written as 'QNDWYOJ'. How is 'PACKET' written in that code?

    1. QCFNJZ
    2. QCFOJY
    3. QBFOJZ
    4. RCFOJZ
    5. QCFOJZ
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (QCFOJZ)

    Each letter moves forward by its position in the word: P+1 = Q, L+2 = N, A+3 = D, S+4 = W, T+5 = Y, I+6 = O, C+7 = J. So P+1 = Q, A+2 = C, C+3 = F, K+4 = O, E+5 = J, T+6 = Z: QCFOJZ.