SBI PO 2023 Previous Year Question Paper

Reading comprehension

Along many tropical coasts, the line between land and sea was once guarded by a tangle of mangroves. Their roots slow incoming waves, trap silt that would otherwise wash away, and shelter the young of many fish that coastal families depend on. Over the past century, large stretches of these forests were cleared for aquaculture ponds, salt pans and housing, often because a strip of muddy swamp seemed to have no value until it had been turned into something else.

The cost of that judgement became visible during storms. Villages that had kept a belt of mangroves in front of them frequently suffered less damage than neighbouring villages that had not, and fishing communities found their catches shrinking as nursery grounds disappeared. Restoration programmes followed, and many of them began with what looked like the obvious step: planting large numbers of saplings in neat rows.

The results were often disappointing. Saplings planted on mudflats that are too low are drowned by every tide; those planted too high dry out. Where the channels that once carried tidal water had been blocked by embankments, no amount of planting could bring the forest back. The projects that have succeeded tend to start with the water rather than the trees, reopening old channels and restoring the natural rise and fall of the tide, after which seeds carried in by the water often take root on their own.

There is a social lesson as well. Plantations fenced off from local people have frequently been neglected once the funding ended, while forests that villagers helped to restore, and from which they are allowed a sustainable catch, have been guarded by the same people who once had reason to clear them.

1. According to the passage, why were large areas of mangroves cleared in the past?

   1. They were known to increase storm damage to villages
   2. The land seemed worthless until it was converted to other uses such as ponds, salt pans and housing
   3. Fishing communities demanded that they be removed
   4. Their roots blocked the tidal channels needed by boats
   5. Governments required all coastal land to be farmed
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: B (The land seemed worthless until it was converted to other uses such as ponds, salt pans and housing)

   Paragraph 1: the forests were cleared 'for aquaculture ponds, salt pans and housing, often because a strip of muddy swamp seemed to have no value until it had been turned into something else'.

2. Why, according to the passage, did many early restoration programmes disappoint?

   1. They planted species that were not native to the coast
   2. Villagers uprooted the saplings for firewood
   3. They concentrated on planting saplings, often at the wrong height on the mudflat, without restoring the flow of tidal water
   4. They reopened too many tidal channels at once
   5. They were completed too quickly to be measured
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: C (They concentrated on planting saplings, often at the wrong height on the mudflat, without restoring the flow of tidal water)

   Paragraph 3: saplings planted too low drown and too high dry out, and where channels were blocked 'no amount of planting could bring the forest back'. Successful projects 'start with the water rather than the trees'.

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the last paragraph?

   1. Local people should be kept away from restored forests
   2. Restoration succeeds only while outside funding continues
   3. Giving villagers a share in a restored forest makes them more likely to protect it
   4. Villagers have no interest in fishing near mangroves
   5. Fences are the most effective way to protect saplings
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: C (Giving villagers a share in a restored forest makes them more likely to protect it)

   The paragraph contrasts fenced plantations neglected after funding ended with forests that villagers helped restore and may fish from sustainably, which 'have been guarded by the same people'. The inference is that a stake in the forest encourages protection.

4. Choose the word most similar in meaning to 'neglected' as used in the passage.

   1. abandoned
   2. protected
   3. celebrated
   4. expanded
   5. measured
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: A (abandoned)

   Plantations 'neglected once the funding ended' were left without care, that is, abandoned. 'Protected' is the opposite, and the other words do not fit.

Error detection

5. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: Mangrove forests, which protects (A) / coastal villages from storm surges, (B) / are being restored (C) / along several stretches of the coast. (D) / No error (E)

   1. A
   2. B
   3. C
   4. D
   5. E
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: A (A)

   'Which' refers to 'Mangrove forests' (plural), so the verb in part A must be 'protect', not 'protects'. 'Are being restored' correctly agrees with the plural subject.

6. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: Hardly had the volunteers (A) / finished planting the saplings (B) / than the tide (C) / began to rise. (D) / No error (E)

   1. A
   2. B
   3. C
   4. D
   5. E
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: C (C)

   'Hardly' is followed by 'when', not 'than' ('Hardly had ... when ...'). 'No sooner' takes 'than'. So part C should read 'when the tide'.

Fill in the blank

7. Choose the word that best fills the blank: The restored mangroves proved remarkably ______, recovering within months from a cyclone that flattened the plantations nearby.

   1. fragile
   2. ornamental
   3. dormant
   4. resilient
   5. expensive
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: D (resilient)

   'Recovering within months' from a destructive cyclone describes something that bounces back, that is, resilient. 'Fragile' says the opposite; the others do not relate to recovery.

Sentence rearrangement

Rearrange the sentences into a meaningful paragraph.

A. The students then measured how much silt each patch trapped over a year. B. A school on the coast set aside two patches of mudflat for an experiment. C. The planted patch held almost three times as much silt as the bare one. D. One patch was planted with mangrove seedlings; the other was left bare. E. The result persuaded the village council to protect the planted strip.

8. Which sentence comes FIRST after rearrangement?

   1. A
   2. B
   3. C
   4. D
   5. E
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: B (B)

   The order is B-D-A-C-E: the school sets aside two patches (B), one is planted and one left bare (D), silt is measured (A), the result (C), and its effect on the council (E). The first sentence is B.

Data interpretation (table with missing values)

The table shows the number of items sold by five stores in a month, the percentage of them sold online, and the number sold offline (in the shop). Every item was sold either online or offline. Some values are missing (—); work them out from the other two columns where needed.

9. How many items in all did store K sell?

   1. 960
   2. 880
   3. 920
   4. 860
   5. 900
   Answer and explanation

   Answer: E (900)

   Offline share for K = 100 − 40 = 60%. Total = 540 ÷ 0.60 = 900.

10. What is the total number of items sold online by the five stores?

    1. 1650
    2. 1640
    3. 1750
    4. 1690
    5. 1720
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (1690)

    Online = total − offline: J 280, K 360, L 360, M 390, N 300 (J: 35% of 800; K: 900 − 540; L: 1200 − 840; M: 60% of 650; N: offline 900 is 75% of the total, so total = 900 ÷ 0.75 = 1200 and online = 1200 − 900). Sum = 1690.

11. Items sold online by store N are approximately what percent fewer than items sold online by store M?

    1. 25%
    2. 23.08%
    3. 30%
    4. 18.75%
    5. 21.43%
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (23.08%)

    M online = 60% of 650 = 390; N online = 300. Percentage fewer = (390 − 300) ÷ 390 × 100 = 23.08%.

12. What is the average number of items sold per store?

    1. 975
    2. 920
    3. 950
    4. 1000
    5. 940
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (950)

    Totals: J 800, K 900, L 1200, M 650, N 1200; sum = 4750. Average = 950.

Quadratic equations

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

13. Solve both equations and choose the correct relationship between x and y. I. x² + 4x − 45 = 0 II. y² + 18y + 81 = 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: B (x ≥ y)

    I: x = -9, 5. II: y = -9. Comparing every pair of values gives: x ≥ y.

14. Solve both equations and choose the correct relationship between x and y. I. 4x² − 13x + 10 = 0 II. y² − 6y + 9 = 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 = 5/4, 2. II: y = 3. Comparing every pair of values gives: x < y.

Number series

15. What should come in place of the question mark? 12, 13, 22, 47, 96, ?

    1. 169
    2. 186
    3. 181
    4. 177
    5. 171
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (177)

    Differences are squares of odd numbers: 1, 9, 25, 49, 81. So ? = 96 + 81 = 177.

16. Find the wrong number in the series: 2880, 1440, 480, 160, 24, 4

    1. 1440
    2. 480
    3. 160
    4. 24
    5. 4
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (160)

    Each term is divided by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in turn: 2880 ÷ 2 = 1440, ÷ 3 = 480, ÷ 4 = 120, ÷ 5 = 24, ÷ 6 = 4. So 160 should be 120 (and 120 ÷ 5 = 24 confirms it).

Arithmetic

17. A starts a business with ₹24,000. After 4 months B joins with ₹36,000. At the end of the year the profit is ₹18,000. What is B's share?

    1. ₹9000
    2. ₹10800
    3. ₹8000
    4. ₹12000
    5. ₹7200
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (₹9000)

    Capital × months: A = 24000 × 12 = 288000; B = 36000 × 8 = 288000. Ratio = 1 : 1. B's share = 18000 × 288000 ÷ 576000 = ₹9000.

18. What is the compound interest on ₹15,000 at 12% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually?

    1. ₹3600
    2. ₹3708
    3. ₹3816
    4. ₹3900
    5. ₹3618
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (₹3816)

    Amount = 15000 × 1.12² = 15000 × 1.2544 = ₹18816. CI = 18816 − 15000 = ₹3816.

Month and date scheduling puzzle

Six trainees Anil, Bina, Charu, Dev, Ekta and Firoz attend a field visit, each on a different day. The visits take place in three months of the same year, April, August and December, on two dates in each month, the 12th and the 25th.

Anil visits on the 25th of a month that has 31 days. Only two trainees visit between Anil and Dev. Dev visits in the same month as Bina, but before Bina. Ekta visits in a month that has 31 days, but not on the same date as Anil. Charu visits after Ekta. Firoz does not visit in December.

19. Who visits on 12 August?

    1. Charu
    2. Anil
    3. Bina
    4. Firoz
    5. Ekta
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (Firoz)

    Taking the six slots in date order (12 Apr, 25 Apr, 12 Aug, 25 Aug, 12 Dec, 25 Dec): Anil is on 25 Aug or 25 Dec, and Ekta is on the 12th of August or December. If Anil were on 25 Dec, Dev (two slots between) would be on 12 Aug and Bina on 25 Aug; Ekta would then have to be on 12 Dec, leaving no slot after her for Charu. So Anil is on 25 Aug, Dev on 12 Apr and Bina on 25 Apr. Firoz cannot be in December, so Firoz takes 12 Aug; Ekta is on 12 Dec and Charu, after her, on 25 Dec. Final schedule: 12 April: Dev; 25 April: Bina; 12 August: Firoz; 25 August: Anil; 12 December: Ekta; 25 December: Charu.

20. How many trainees visit between Bina and Ekta?

    1. 4
    2. 0
    3. 3
    4. 1
    5. 2
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (2)

    Taking the six slots in date order (12 Apr, 25 Apr, 12 Aug, 25 Aug, 12 Dec, 25 Dec): Anil is on 25 Aug or 25 Dec, and Ekta is on the 12th of August or December. If Anil were on 25 Dec, Dev (two slots between) would be on 12 Aug and Bina on 25 Aug; Ekta would then have to be on 12 Dec, leaving no slot after her for Charu. So Anil is on 25 Aug, Dev on 12 Apr and Bina on 25 Apr. Firoz cannot be in December, so Firoz takes 12 Aug; Ekta is on 12 Dec and Charu, after her, on 25 Dec. Final schedule: 12 April: Dev; 25 April: Bina; 12 August: Firoz; 25 August: Anil; 12 December: Ekta; 25 December: Charu. Between Bina (25 Apr) and Ekta (12 Dec) are Firoz, Anil: 2 trainees.

21. Who visits in the same month as Charu?

    1. Anil
    2. Firoz
    3. Dev
    4. Ekta
    5. Bina
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (Ekta)

    Taking the six slots in date order (12 Apr, 25 Apr, 12 Aug, 25 Aug, 12 Dec, 25 Dec): Anil is on 25 Aug or 25 Dec, and Ekta is on the 12th of August or December. If Anil were on 25 Dec, Dev (two slots between) would be on 12 Aug and Bina on 25 Aug; Ekta would then have to be on 12 Dec, leaving no slot after her for Charu. So Anil is on 25 Aug, Dev on 12 Apr and Bina on 25 Apr. Firoz cannot be in December, so Firoz takes 12 Aug; Ekta is on 12 Dec and Charu, after her, on 25 Dec. Final schedule: 12 April: Dev; 25 April: Bina; 12 August: Firoz; 25 August: Anil; 12 December: Ekta; 25 December: Charu.

22. Which of the following statements is true?

    1. Firoz visits in April
    2. Dev visits immediately before Firoz
    3. Anil visits immediately after Firoz
    4. Bina visits in August
    5. Ekta visits on the 25th
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (Anil visits immediately after Firoz)

    Taking the six slots in date order (12 Apr, 25 Apr, 12 Aug, 25 Aug, 12 Dec, 25 Dec): Anil is on 25 Aug or 25 Dec, and Ekta is on the 12th of August or December. If Anil were on 25 Dec, Dev (two slots between) would be on 12 Aug and Bina on 25 Aug; Ekta would then have to be on 12 Dec, leaving no slot after her for Charu. So Anil is on 25 Aug, Dev on 12 Apr and Bina on 25 Apr. Firoz cannot be in December, so Firoz takes 12 Aug; Ekta is on 12 Dec and Charu, after her, on 25 Dec. Final schedule: 12 April: Dev; 25 April: Bina; 12 August: Firoz; 25 August: Anil; 12 December: Ekta; 25 December: Charu.

Syllogism

23. Statements: Some roots are seeds. All seeds are shoots. No shoots are leaves. Conclusions: I. Some roots are shoots. II. Some roots being leaves 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 roots are seeds and all seeds are shoots, so some roots are shoots: I follows. The roots that are seeds cannot be leaves, but other roots may be, so 'Some roots being leaves is a possibility' also follows. Answer: Both conclusions I and II follow.

24. Statements: All leaves are roots. Some roots are shoots. No shoots are seeds. Conclusions: I. Some leaves are shoots. II. No leaves are seeds. 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: D (Neither conclusion I nor II follows)

    All leaves are roots and some roots are shoots, but the shoots among the roots need not include any leaf, so I does not follow. No shoot is a seed, but leaves are not linked to shoots definitely, so leaves may or may not be seeds: II does not follow either. Answer: Neither conclusion I nor II follows.

Inequality

25. Statements: P ≥ Q = R, R > S, T ≤ S. Conclusions: I. P > T II. Q ≥ T. 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: E (Both conclusions I and II are true)

    P ≥ Q = R > S ≥ T gives P > T (I true) and Q > T, hence Q ≥ T (II true). Answer: Both conclusions I and II are true.

26. Statements: U < V ≤ W, W > X, Y ≥ V. Conclusions: I. Y > U II. X < V. 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: A (Only conclusion I is true)

    Y ≥ V > U gives Y > U, so I is true. W ≥ V and W > X give no relation between X and V, so II is not definite. Answer: Only conclusion I is true.

Coding and blood relation

27. In a certain code 'TIDE' is written as '54920'. How is 'REEF' written in that code?

    1. 65618
    2. 55618
    3. 18556
    4. 65518
    5. 65581
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (65518)

    The letters are written in reverse order and each is replaced by its position in the alphabet: TIDE → E D I T → 5 4 9 20 = 54920. REEF → F E E R → 6 5 5 18 = 65518.

28. Pointing to a woman, Arjun says, 'She is the only daughter of my paternal grandfather's only son.' How is the woman related to Arjun?

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

    Answer: D (Sister)

    Arjun's paternal grandfather's only son must be Arjun's father. The only daughter of Arjun's father is Arjun's sister.