SSC CGL Tier 1 2010 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The pronoun neither is used exclusively when referring to two people or things. In this sentence, the context established in the preceding part mentions three sons. When the number of entities is more than two, the negative distributive pronoun none must be used instead of neither to maintain grammatical correctness.

Explanation

The error in part a) is the omission of the definite article before the noun truth. In English grammar, when truth is used to refer to the specific facts of a situation or the actual state of affairs, it must be preceded by the definite article the. Idiomatic usage consistently requires this article, as seen in standard expressions like tell the truth, speak the truth, or know the truth. Therefore, the phrase should correctly be written as After knowing the truth to satisfy grammatical requirements for definite nouns.

Explanation

The grammatical construction starting with the phrase It is time followed by a subject requires the verb to be in the simple past tense. This specific usage, often referred to as the past subjunctive, is employed to indicate that an action is already overdue or should have happened earlier. Consequently, the present tense verb decide must be changed to the past tense decided to satisfy the requirements of this idiomatic expression.

Explanation

The sentence structure is grammatically flawed because it contains a dangling nominative. The pronoun He at the beginning of the sentence is intended to be the subject, but it lacks a corresponding verb to complete its predicate. Instead, part (c) introduces an imperative construction let him speak, where him acts as the object of the verb let. This makes the initial He redundant and grammatically disconnected from the rest of the sentence. To rectify this, the sentence should either be restructured as Let him who has suffered most for the cause speak or He who has suffered most for the cause should speak. The error resides in part (c) because the introduction of the objective pronoun him and the imperative let prevents the initial subject He from having a valid grammatical role.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct as it follows the rules of subject-verb agreement and proper word usage. The singular subject A cup of coffee is correctly paired with the singular verb is. The term complement is used accurately here to signify something that completes or brings to perfection, which is appropriate for describing how two food items pair well together. This is distinct from the word compliment, which refers to praise. Additionally, the preposition to is the standard accompaniment for the noun complement when indicating what is being enhanced. As every part of the sentence adheres to standard English conventions, there is no error.

Explanation

In English grammar, a negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. The sentence "The hotel was not too expensive" uses the negative past tense auxiliary "was not". To form the correct tag, the auxiliary verb "was" is used in its positive form along with the pronoun "it" to represent the subject "the hotel". Therefore, the appropriate tag to complete the sentence is "was it?".

Explanation

The sentence requires the base form of the verb to complete the infinitive of purpose. In English grammar, the full infinitive is constructed as to + base verb (V₁). Since the preposition to is already present in the sentence, the base form fill is used to indicate the action the dentist performs on the teeth.

Explanation

The sentence expresses a lack of necessity or obligation for an action that has already been performed. Option A, didn't have to do, is the grammatically correct choice to indicate that the action was not required. Option D is incorrect because mustn't have done is used for negative deductions or prohibitions, not for expressing a lack of necessity.

Explanation

The phrase go to sea is a standard idiomatic expression in English that means to begin a voyage or to become a sailor. In this context, the preposition to is used to indicate movement toward a destination or the commencement of a particular state or activity. When sea is used without a definite article in such constructions, it refers to the act of seafaring or traveling by ship, and to is the grammatically correct preposition to show the direction of that movement.

Explanation

Metamorphosis refers to a complete and fundamental change in form, structure, or substance. In the context of human history, the transition from an agrarian society to a complex industrial world represents a total transformation of the socioeconomic fabric, technological capabilities, and organizational logic of civilization. This term accurately captures the profound and radical nature of such a systemic evolution, whereas the other choices fail to convey the scale of the structural shift that occurred during this historical process.

Explanation

The word florid is used to describe a person's complexion when it is naturally red or flushed with a healthy glow. The word pale serves as the direct antonym because it describes a complexion that lacks color or appears unusually white. In linguistic contexts, florid can also refer to something excessively ornate or decorative, but its most common application regarding physical appearance is the primary basis for identifying pale as its opposite.

Explanation

The word verity is derived from the Latin term veritas, which means truth or the quality of being true, factual, and real. It is used to describe a principle or belief that is consistently true and grounded in reality. Falsehood refers to the state of being untrue, a lie, or a statement that deviates from the truth. Because verity signifies the essence of truth, falsehood is its direct antonym as it represents the absence or contradiction of truth.

Explanation

Perspicuity refers to the quality of being clearly expressed and easily understood. It denotes lucidity, clarity, and precision in thought or writing. Vagueness is its direct antonym, as it signifies a lack of clarity, definiteness, or precision, which makes a statement or idea obscure and difficult to comprehend.

Explanation

The word fervent is used to describe someone or something characterized by intense emotion, passion, or great warmth of feeling. It often refers to people who are extremely enthusiastic or zealous about a particular cause or belief. Conversely, dispassionate refers to a state of being devoid of passion or strong emotion. It suggests a cool, detached, and impartial attitude that remains unaffected by personal feelings or excitement. Because fervent represents high emotional intensity and dispassionate represents the absence of such intensity, they function as direct opposites.

Explanation

The word meandering refers to a course, path, or movement that is winding, indirect, and characterized by many curves or turns, much like the flow of a slow-moving river. The term straight represents the direct opposite, as it describes a line or direction that proceeds without any bends, deviations, or curves. Therefore, in the context of directional flow and alignment, these two words serve as antonyms.

Explanation

The word luxuriant is an adjective used to describe something that grows thickly, strongly, and profusely. It refers to a state of being lush or having an overflowing, productive quality, typically used in the context of vegetation, hair, or even artistic style. It is synonymous with abundant, as both terms characterize something that exists in great or plentiful quantities.

Explanation

The term cantankerous is an adjective used to describe someone who is habitually bad-tempered, irritable, and difficult to cooperate with. It characterizes an individual who is prone to arguing or being uncooperative in social interactions. This makes quarrelsome the correct choice, as it directly refers to the tendency to engage in frequent arguments or petty disputes.

Explanation

The term onus is derived from the Latin word for burden or load. It is used to describe a specific duty, obligation, or the burden of responsibility that is placed upon someone. In legal and formal contexts, it often refers to the burden of proof, which is the requirement to provide evidence to support a claim. Essentially, when someone has the onus, they are the ones tasked with the accountability or the mandate to ensure a particular action is completed or a fact is established.

Explanation

Derision refers to the act of treating someone or something with contemptuous mockery or scornful laughter. It is derived from the Latin word deridere, which means to laugh at. Ridicule is the closest synonym because it specifically describes the subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior intended to make them appear absurd or foolish. Both words center on the expression of disdain through mocking.

Explanation

The word trite describes an idea, remark, or expression that has been used so frequently that it has lost its novelty, freshness, and impact. It refers to something that is hackneyed or stale due to excessive repetition. Commonplace is a direct synonym as it characterizes things that are ordinary, unoriginal, or unremarkable because they are encountered or used so often that they no longer spark interest or provide a sense of originality.

Explanation

The phrasal verb cut out is used to describe a person who has the necessary qualities, talent, or temperament for a specific profession or task. When followed by the infinitive to be, it signifies being naturally suited or qualified for a role. In this sentence, the expression indicates that the individual lacks the inherent aptitude or characteristics required to perform effectively as a teacher.

Explanation

The expression craved for is a standard phrasal verb used to denote an intense or overwhelming desire for something. In this sentence, it appropriately characterizes the high degree of longing or ambition associated with attaining power through financial means. The use of the superlative the most before craved for is grammatically correct and effectively emphasizes that this type of power is highly desired in contemporary society. Because the original phrase is idiomatic, fits the context, and adheres to standard grammatical rules, the sentence does not require any modification.

Explanation

The verb want followed by a gerund is a standard idiomatic construction meaning to need or to require. Since the original sentence is grammatically correct and the other options contain typographical or grammatical errors, no improvement is necessary.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression word for word is the standard English phrase used to indicate that something is repeated or copied exactly as it was originally written or spoken. When a text needs to be reproduced with literal accuracy, preserving every term in its original sequence, the preposition for is required to connect the repeated nouns. This phrase functions adverbially in the sentence to describe the precise manner in which the letter is to be copied, ensuring a verbatim reproduction of the content.

Explanation

The term sensual is the most appropriate choice in this context because it specifically refers to the gratification of physical appetites and carnal desires. While sensuous relates to aesthetic appreciation or things that appeal to the senses in a refined or artistic way, sensual carries a connotation of indulgence in base bodily pleasures. In the given sentence, the description of a weak man being a slave suggests a lack of moral or physical self-control over these primitive drives, making sensual the precise adjective to describe the nature of those pleasures.

Explanation

A manoeuvre refers to a clever or skillful action or a series of moves performed with a specific purpose, often involving strategic planning. In a derogatory or specialized context, it denotes an underhanded scheme or a deceptive device employed to achieve an end or to provide a justification for misconduct. It implies the use of manipulation or tactical plotting to navigate around rules or to evade the consequences of improper behavior.

Explanation

The term ineffable originates from the Latin word ineffabilis, which combines the prefix in- (meaning not) with effabilis (meaning speakable). It is specifically used to describe something that is so great, intense, or sacred that it cannot be expressed or depicted through words. This adjective typically characterizes profound emotions, spiritual experiences, or overwhelming beauty that surpasses the capacity of human speech to articulate or define accurately.

Explanation

An iconoclast is a person who attacks or criticizes settled beliefs or institutions. The term stems from the Greek words eikon, meaning image, and klastes, meaning breaker, originally describing those who destroyed religious icons during the Byzantine Empire. In a broader sense, it refers to someone who challenges traditional ideas and popular customs they consider to be mistaken, superstitious, or illogical, often acting as a non-conformist against the prevailing social or intellectual order.

Explanation

Internment refers to the act of detaining and confining individuals, especially for political or military reasons, or during a state of war. It involves the restriction of a person's liberty by keeping them within a defined area, such as a camp or a specific facility, typically without a formal trial or specific criminal charges. This term is frequently used in international law and history to describe the mass detention of enemy aliens or groups perceived as security risks during periods of national crisis or conflict.

Explanation

Ethnology is a branch of anthropology that involves the scientific study and comparison of the different races of mankind. It focuses on analyzing the origins, distribution, social structures, and cultural characteristics of various ethnic groups to understand the relationships and distinctions between human populations across the world.

Explanation

The word collaborate is correctly spelled with a double l following the prefix co-. It originates from the Latin prefix com- (meaning together) and the verb laborare (meaning to work). In English morphology, the m in the prefix com- assimilates to an l when joined to a root beginning with l, resulting in the spelling c-o-l-l-a-b-o-r-a-t-e. The term refers to the process of two or more people or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal.

Explanation

The word clairvoyant is correctly spelled. It is a loanword from French, formed by combining the roots clair, meaning clear, and voyant, which is the present participle of voir, meaning to see. In English, it is used as both an adjective and a noun to describe a person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact. The spelling follows the standard -ant suffix used for many English words derived from French present participles.

Explanation

The word serenity is the noun form of the adjective serene, following the standard rule of adding the suffix -ity to denote a state or quality. When an adjective ends in a silent e, the e is dropped before appending the suffix. Consequently, the term is spelled s-e-r-e-n-i-t-y. It describes a state of being calm, tranquil, and free from stress or emotion. This spelling aligns with the morphological derivation of abstract nouns from Latin-rooted adjectives in English.

Explanation

The word accommodative is the adjective form of the verb accommodate. Its correct spelling requires a double c and a double m, resulting in a-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-i-v-e. This spelling is derived from the Latin root accommodatus, which is formed from the prefix ad- (assimilated to ac- before a c) and the word commodare (meaning to make fit). This double-consonant structure is maintained throughout all its derivatives, such as accommodation and accommodating. A common mnemonic for remembering this spelling is that the word is large enough to accommodate two c's and two m's.

Explanation

Benevolence is correctly spelled and refers to the disposition to do good or an act of kindness. The word originates from the Latin term benevolentia, which is a combination of the roots bene, meaning well, and velle, meaning to wish. In English usage, it signifies a general inclination to be charitable or a desire to promote the happiness of others. The spelling adheres to the standard prefix bene-, which is consistently used in English words that denote goodness, wellness, or benefit.

Explanation

The passage follows a chronological and thematic progression starting from ancient India. Sentence 1 establishes the glorious start of Indian education, and Q continues this theme by stating that this glory persisted for centuries. Sentence P introduces the historical turning point of British rule and the resulting changes, providing a transition from the preceding long period of stability. Sentence S then specifies one of those changes as the introduction of English, which naturally follows the mention of multiple changes in P. Sentence R provides detail on the reception of English as a medium, which sets the stage for the final sentence regarding the complex opinions on English after independence. This sequence QPSR ensures a logical flow from the historical past to the specific educational shift and its eventual consequences.

Explanation

The logical sequence begins with sentence S, which transitions from the general criticism in sentence 1 to a specific inquiry regarding the status of young intellectuals in India. Sentence P follows by answering this inquiry with the observation that these individuals are migrating abroad for better employment. Sentence R then introduces a moral counterpoint by questioning the obligation these intellectuals have to their motherland. Sentence Q addresses this moral dilemma by stating that the question remains difficult to resolve because the country fails to provide adequate opportunities, which directly leads to sentence 6 where this entire phenomenon is identified as Brain-Drain.

Explanation

The passage begins with S1 establishing the parental duty of imparting moral values to children. S follows by highlighting the contemporary issue that parents spend very little time with their children. R provides the explanation for this trend, noting that the reason for this lack of time is the busy nature of modern life. P then describes the behavioral consequence, where children take advantage of these busy schedules. Q connects these factors to the lack of moral instruction, stating that this environment results in an ignorance of social values. This sequence logically leads to S6, which concludes that society is consequently moving away from established value systems.

Explanation

Sentence 1 introduces the concept of a person who performs duty without selfish desire. Sentence S follows by contrasting this active individual with someone who abstains from action entirely, labeling them an idler and thereby emphasizing the necessity of action. Sentence R explains the fundamental psychological requirement for this selfless action, which is preventing the mind from jumping between different objects of desire. Sentence Q builds on this by defining the practice of yoga as the maintenance of evenness of temper while performing unavoidable actions. Sentence P then describes the characteristic of a person who has mastered this evenness, noting that they achieve serenity because their thoughts are aligned with their actions. This leads directly into sentence 6, which provides a concluding definition of a yogi as one whose mind has ceased its restless roaming and is detached from sensory objects.

Explanation

The opening sentence mentions that the day was important for Alatook, and sentence Q directly explains why by stating it was his first time hunting seals alone. Sentence P establishes the weather conditions, providing the necessary context for the subsequent actions. Sentences R and S follow a chronological order of preparation, indicated by the transitional words First and Then, describing the sequence in which he put on his protective clothing. This sequence culminates in sentence 6, which completes the preparation process with the word Finally as he picks up his gun.

Explanation

The sentence is in the active voice using the Present Perfect tense (Subject + have + past participle + object). To convert this to the passive voice, the object (a film) becomes the new subject, and the verb form changes to "has/have + been + past participle" (made). Since "A film" is a third-person singular subject, it requires the auxiliary "has been" rather than "have been". The descriptive phrase "based on this novel" correctly qualifies the film, leading to the structure: A film, based on this novel, has been made.

Explanation

The given sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by the conjunction and. In the first clause, the people couldn't move me to the hospital, the active voice structure [Subject + Modal + Verb + Object] is converted to the passive form [New Subject + Modal + be + Past Participle], resulting in I couldn't be moved to the hospital.

In the second clause, the doctor operated on me at home, the active voice structure [Subject + Verb (Past Tense) + Preposition + Object] is converted to the passive form [New Subject + was + Past Participle + Preposition], resulting in I was operated on at home by the doctor. When these two passive clauses are combined, the common subject I is stated once, and the preposition on is correctly retained after the verb operated to maintain the original meaning of the phrasal verb.

Explanation

The given sentence is an interrogative in the Simple Past Tense (Active Voice), following the structure: Why + did + subject + V1 + object + ...? To convert this into Passive Voice, the structure must be: Why + was/were + object (now the subject) + past participle (V3) + ... + by + original subject?

In this transformation, the object you becomes the passive subject, which requires the auxiliary verb were. The verb deprive is changed to its past participle form, deprived. The active subject he is converted into the agent by him. Following the standard rules of conversion for such constructions in competitive exams, the phrase of the membership is included after the verb to maintain the meaning of the sentence. This results in the construction: Why were you deprived of your membership by him?

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Passive Voice using the Present Perfect tense, as indicated by the structure has been + past participle (brought). To convert this into the Active Voice, the agent of the action (him) becomes the subject (He), and the verb must remain in the Present Perfect tense (has + past participle). The active form follows the structure: Subject + has/have + V3 + Indirect Object + Direct Object. Therefore, the active sentence is He has brought us the news, which maintains the original meaning and tense while correctly shifting the focus to the performer of the action.

Explanation

The sentence is in the Passive Voice of the Past Indefinite tense, characterized by the structure was/were + past participle (was spoken). To convert it into the Active Voice, the agent of the action (the criminal) becomes the subject of the sentence. In the Past Indefinite tense, a negative sentence is formed using the auxiliary verb did + not + the base form of the verb (speak). The object of the active sentence becomes a word, and the phrase in self defence remains as an adverbial adjunct at the end of the sentence. This results in the construction: The criminal (subject) + did not speak (verb) + a word (object) + in self defence.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that special dialects or jargons used in technical discussions are necessary to secure greater exactness in nomenclature. It further elaborates that because these terms are universally understood by the devotees of a particular science or art, they possess the precision of a mathematical formula. This precision is a fundamental functional attribute of technical vocabulary, allowing experts to communicate complex ideas or processes with the same level of clarity and lack of ambiguity found in mathematical expressions.

Explanation

The author of the passage demonstrates an analytical focus on the structure, function, and evolution of language. By discussing "technical vocabulary," "nomenclature," "special dialects," and the relationship between professional jargons and the broader English language, the writer adopts the perspective of a linguist. The text examines how specific words are categorized in dictionaries and how the vocabulary of ancient vocations like farming or fishing integrates into common usage over time. This systematic study of how language is used to designate processes and its precise role within different social and professional strata is the primary concern of linguistics.

Explanation

The passage centers on the nature and utility of specialized language systems used in professional and scientific contexts. It identifies technical vocabulary as a vital tool for achieving nomenclature exactness and designating concepts that lack common names. By comparing these jargons to mathematical formulas, the author emphasizes their role in ensuring precision and economy of expression within specific fields. The discussion focuses on how these terminologies originate from diverse vocations like farming, law, and medicine, illustrating their evolution from exclusive dialects to elements that occasionally enter broader cultivation. Every thematic element presented, from the efficiency of naming processes to the inclusion of such terms in dictionaries, reinforces that the core subject is the development and function of technical terminology.

Explanation

The passage explicitly mentions that in occupations such as trades, handicrafts, farming, and fishing, which have employed large numbers of people since remote times, the technical vocabulary is very old. It further states that an average man now uses these terms in his own vocabulary. This indicates that specialized language from traditional vocations has transitioned over time into the common speech used by ordinary people.

Explanation

The phrase take cognisance of is a standard legal idiom meaning to take judicial notice or to officially acknowledge and consider a matter. In legal English, a court is said to take cognisance of a crime, a statement, or a situation when it exercises its jurisdiction to deal with it. The verb take is the fixed colocation used with cognisance in this context to indicate the formal process of a judge or court bringing a matter under their judicial consideration.