Practice IBPS Clerk 2026 Prelims English PYQ – 10 Oct 2026 Shift 1 (30 Questions with Solutions)

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

Which of the following best expresses the central message of the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

What was the guiding purpose behind the products created by Heartfelt by Marta?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

According to the passage, Heartfelt by Marta _____________ (I) earned a profit of 30 percent in its first year. (II) signed a contract worth 2,800 euros with a hotel group. (III) had its posts managed by Lena.

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

Which word is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to "vital" as used in the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

Which word is most similar in meaning to "move" as used in the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

Which word can replace "gave" in the passage without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

What does the highlighted phrase "take each slow week in her stride" mean as used in the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

Why did Marta decide to work at the age of sixty-two?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

What gave Marta and Lena the idea of starting the business?

Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

At sixty-two, Ellon Marta was still as vital as she had been in her thirties. Retirement had given her free mornings, but she soon realised that idle hours did not suit her. She wanted to work, not because she needed the money, but because she believed a person should keep creating for as long as the hands and heart allowed.

Her chance came when Lena, her grandson's fiancee, was helping to plan her cousin's wedding. Every card in the shops looked the same, polished yet empty. Marta, who had spent decades crafting paper flowers for family occasions, offered to make the cards herself. Guests later spoke more about the cards than about the cake. Soon afterwards, the two women decided to turn the idea into a business, and Heartfelt by Marta was born. The move surprised the family, but no one doubted her determination. Their aim was simple: every product should carry the feeling of the person who ordered it. They designed wedding cards, birthday cards, invitations and small keepsakes, each made by hand and shaped around the emotions of the occasion. A card for a grieving friend would never look like one for a graduation.

The early months were difficult. Marta had never used social media, and without an online presence, very few people knew the business existed. Orders trickled in slowly, and her spirits sank as she wondered whether she had started too late. Her family gave her steady support, however. Her grandson built a simple web page, Lena managed the posts, and her daughter collected samples to show at local events. Gradually, Marta learned to take each slow week in her stride . The turning point arrived when a hotel group signed a contract worth 2,800 euros for a season of wedding stationery. Satisfied clients recommended her to others, and her later contracts rose to 5,000 euros. By the end of the first year, Heartfelt by Marta had earned a profit of 28 percent. Marta often tells young entrepreneurs that age is merely a number. What matters, she says, is passion, patience and the courage to begin, whenever that beginning comes.

What was the main reason the business received very few orders in its early months?