SBI PO Prelims 2026 Mock Test (New Pattern) 01

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given after it. For decades, India's growth story was told through its large cities. Factories, offices and universities clustered in a handful of metropolitan areas, and young people from smaller towns moved there in search of work. That pattern is now slowly changing. A growing share of new businesses, from logistics hubs to software firms, is being set up in tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Indore, Coimbatore and Bhubaneswar. Several forces lie behind this shift. Land and office space in the biggest cities have become extremely expensive, and long commutes have eaten into workers' time. At the same time, better highways, regional airports and reliable internet have reduced the disadvantage of being away from a metropolis. A software engineer in a smaller city can now serve a client abroad as easily as a colleague in Bengaluru, while paying far less in rent. The benefits, however, are not automatic. Smaller cities often lack the planning capacity to manage sudden growth. Water supply, waste management and public transport can come under strain within a few years, recreating the very problems that pushed firms out of the metropolises. Some cities have responded by preparing master plans in advance and by working with nearby colleges to train workers in the skills employers need. Economists argue that the spread of opportunity across many cities could make growth more stable and more inclusive. If a downturn hits one region, others can continue to grow. Families, too, gain when young people can find good jobs without moving hundreds of kilometres from home. Whether this promise is realised will depend largely on how well smaller cities prepare for the growth that is heading their way.

   Q1.According to the passage, which of the following has NOT been mentioned as a reason for businesses moving to smaller cities?

   • A.Reliable internet connectivity
   • B.Better highways and regional airports
   • C.Government tax holidays for smaller cities
   • D.High cost of land and office space in big cities
   • E.Long commutes in big cities

2. Q2.What risk does the author associate with rapid growth in smaller cities?

   • A.They may lose their cultural identity
   • B.Firms may refuse to pay taxes there
   • C.Workers may demand higher salaries
   • D.None of these
   • E.Their civic services may come under strain

3. Q3.How have some cities prepared for growth, as per the passage?

   • A.By banning new factories
   • B.None of these
   • C.By restricting migration from villages
   • D.By offering free land to every firm
   • E.By preparing master plans and working with colleges on skills

Start the test to answer these. Correct answers and explanations are shown after you submit.