SSC CGL Tier 1 2011 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word equipment is an uncountable noun, also known as a mass noun. In English grammar, uncountable nouns do not have a plural form and cannot be used with an s at the end. Regardless of the quantity being referred to, the term remains equipment. To express plurality or refer to individual items, one would use a partitive phrase such as pieces of equipment. Consequently, the use of the word equipments is grammatically incorrect.

Explanation

The sentence describes a sequence of completed actions in the past, as indicated by the verb ran in the second clause. To maintain tense consistency throughout the narrative, the first verb must also be in the simple past. The word smelt is the past tense form of the verb smell. Using the past tense establishes that the housewife perceived the odor and immediately reacted by moving toward the oven, ensuring the grammatical structure of the sentence is parallel and logically sound.

Explanation

The phrase according to is used to attribute information or a statement to a particular source, such as a person, a document, or a tradition. In this sentence, it serves to identify the old legend as the source of the information regarding King Shirham. It is the standard idiomatic expression used to introduce a claim that is based on what is stated in a story or historical record.

Explanation

The sentence requires a conditional conjunction meaning if not to convey that being late is the result of not leaving immediately. Unless is the appropriate choice for this context, whereas until refers to a point in time or duration.

Explanation

The term poachers specifically refers to individuals who engage in the illegal hunting, killing, or capturing of wild animals, particularly those that are protected by law or located on private property. Since the sentence describes individuals being arrested for the specific crime of hunting bears illegally, this professional or criminal designation is the most accurate vocabulary choice to describe the subjects.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of the third conditional, which is used to describe hypothetical situations in the past and their imagined outcomes. The grammatical rule for the third conditional requires the if-clause to be in the past perfect tense (had + past participle) and the main clause to use the perfect conditional tense (would have + past participle). Since the if-clause uses had followed, the main clause must contain would not have been to complete the conditional sequence correctly.

Explanation

The word loquacious is derived from the Latin root loqui, which means to speak. It is an adjective used to describe an individual who is extremely communicative or has a tendency to talk a great deal. Therefore, talkative is the synonym that best expresses this meaning, as both terms refer to the habit of engaging in excessive or constant speech.

Explanation

The word vindictive describes a person who harbors a strong, unreasoning desire for revenge or who is inclined to seek retribution for perceived wrongs. It originates from the Latin word vindicta, meaning revenge. Similarly, the term spiteful refers to a disposition characterized by malice or a malicious desire to hurt, annoy, or frustrate another person. Both words convey an underlying sense of ill-will and an intent to cause harm or discomfort as a reaction to a grievance, making them synonyms in describing a resentful and retaliatory nature.

Explanation

Inclement is an adjective derived from the Latin inclemens, where the prefix in- means not and clemens means mild or merciful. The term is primarily used to describe weather conditions that are unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy. More broadly, it characterizes any situation or disposition that is harsh, severe, or lacking in mildness. Because it denotes conditions that are disagreeable or adverse to one's comfort or plans, it is synonymous with unfavourable.

Explanation

The word genial is an adjective used to describe someone who is friendly, cheerful, and warm in disposition. It suggests a pleasant and welcoming personality that makes others feel comfortable. Cordial is a direct synonym that also means warm and friendly, often used to describe social interactions or greetings that are sincere and gracious. Both words characterize a polite and affable nature in interpersonal relationships.

Explanation

The word accrue refers to the process of something increasing in amount or value over a period of time, especially through periodic additions. It is most commonly used in financial contexts to describe interest, debt, or benefits that build up gradually. The term accumulate precisely matches this meaning, as it signifies the act of amassing, gathering, or increasing by degrees. Both words describe a progressive growth or a collection that results from a steady and continuous process of addition over time.

Explanation

The word accord means agreement, harmony, or consistency. Among the given options, conformity is the best synonym as it refers to correspondence in form, manner, or character, or compliance with standards.

Explanation

Infirmity refers to physical or mental frailty or a lack of strength, often due to age or illness. Weakness is the most direct synonym among the provided options.

Explanation

Synthetic means artificial or man-made rather than occurring naturally. Plastic is a common synonym used to describe materials or substances that are synthetic or artificial.

Explanation

The idiom a bolt from the blue refers to a sudden and surprising event that happens without any prior warning. It is derived from the literal imagery of a lightning bolt appearing in a clear, cloudless blue sky, which is physically impossible under normal weather conditions and thus represents the ultimate surprise. In usage, it describes news or occurrences that are completely unforeseen and catch an individual entirely off guard.

Explanation

The idiom cold comfort refers to information or consolation that gives little or no help or encouragement. It describes a situation where a gesture or statement intended to be supportive is so inadequate or unwelcome that it provides only a negligible or slight amount of satisfaction to the recipient. The term implies a lack of genuine warmth or effectiveness in the comfort being offered, leaving the person nearly as dissatisfied as they were before.

Explanation

The idiom to be all at sea describes a state of being completely lost, bewildered, or confused about a particular situation. It originates from nautical terminology, referring to a ship that is out of sight of land and lacks clear direction or landmarks for navigation. When someone is all at sea, they are unable to grasp what is happening or are unsure of how to proceed, much like a sailor who has lost their bearings in the open ocean.

Explanation

The idiom to take to one's heels means to flee or run away suddenly, often to escape from a threatening situation or to avoid being caught. It originates from the physical act of lifting one's heels to run at a high speed.

Explanation

The idiom to bite the dust means to suffer a defeat, to fail, or to die. It figuratively describes someone falling face-down on the ground, a concept originating from historical or literary descriptions of soldiers falling in battle and literally hitting the earth. Because the other options provided refer to literal acts of eating or the physical state of having no food, they do not represent the idiomatic meaning of the phrase.

Explanation

The phrase for good is an idiomatic adverbial expression meaning permanently or forever. In standard English syntax, adverbial phrases that modify the entire action typically follow the direct object of the verb. By placing for good after the object India, the sentence follows the conventional Subject-Verb-Object-Adverb (SVOA) pattern. This structure clearly indicates that the act of leaving India is permanent.

Explanation

The original sentence is grammatically correct as the adverb credibly is properly positioned to modify the verb informed. In passive voice constructions, it is standard for an adverb of manner or degree to be placed between the auxiliary verb are and the past participle informed. This placement accurately conveys that the information received is from a reliable or believable source. Additionally, the phrasal verb given himself up is the correct idiomatic expression for surrendering to the police or authorities. Since both the adverbial placement and the idiomatic usage are accurate, the sentence requires no improvement.

Explanation

The grammatical structure one of the is used to denote a single member chosen from a larger group. Consequently, it must always be followed by a plural noun. In this sentence, since the selection is being made from a group of individuals, the singular noun student must be replaced by the plural noun students. The correct superlative form most intelligent is placed before the noun it qualifies, completing the standard phrase one of the most intelligent students.

Explanation

In formal English grammar, the relative pronoun whose is traditionally reserved for persons and living beings. When indicating a possessive relationship for inanimate objects or non-living things such as a street, the construction the name of which is the preferred choice. This phrasing uses the relative pronoun which, which is the standard choice for non-human entities, and follows the syntactic pattern of the + noun + of which to establish the connection between the object and its associated attribute.

Explanation

The correlative conjunction both... and must connect two grammatically parallel elements. For a sentence to be structurally balanced, the word both should be placed immediately before the first item of the pair being linked, just as and is placed before the second item. In the revised sentence, both precedes the noun phrase a medal, while and precedes the noun phrase a scholarship. This configuration ensures that both conjunctions modify the same type of grammatical unit, which in this case are the two direct objects of the verb won.

Explanation

The term sinecure refers to a position or office that requires little or no effort or responsibility but provides the holder with a steady income, salary, or other financial benefits. It is derived from the Latin phrase sine cura, which literally translates to without care, implying a job where the occupant does not have to worry about the typical burdens of work. Such positions were historically found in the church or government and are now generally used to describe any well-paid role with minimal duties.

Explanation

The word fatal refers to something that results in or is capable of causing death. It is commonly used to describe accidents, illnesses, or injuries that have a lethal outcome. The term is derived from the Latin word fatalis, meaning ordained by fate, but in modern usage, its primary definition is specifically tied to the occurrence of mortality.

Explanation

The term calligrapher is derived from the Greek words kallos, meaning beauty, and graphein, meaning to write. It describes an individual who is skilled in the art of calligraphy, which involves the creation of beautiful and decorative handwriting. This practice emphasizes the visual appearance of lettering, focusing on the harmony, rhythm, and flow of characters. Calligraphers utilize specialized tools such as broad-edged pens, brushes, and ink to produce stylized text for formal documents, invitations, and various forms of visual art.

Explanation

The term bovine is derived from the Latin word bovinus, which originates from bos, meaning ox or cow. In biological and taxonomic classification, it refers to members of the subfamily Bovinae, which encompasses domestic cattle, water buffalo, bison, and several species of antelopes. As an adjective, bovine is the specific English term used to describe anything relating to, resembling, or affecting cattle. It is commonly used in both scientific and general contexts to identify species or physical characteristics associated with this group of animals.

Explanation

Accomplice is correctly spelled and refers to a person who helps another commit a crime or wrongful act. The word is formed by the prefix ac- (a variant of ad-) and the root complice, which stems from the Latin complex meaning associated. The spelling involves a double c following the initial a and ends with the suffix ice. Recognizing the Latin roots and the standard suffix for people involved in such roles helps confirm the correct form. In legal terminology, it identifies an associate in guilt.

Explanation

The word dysentery is correctly spelled with the prefix dys-, which means bad or difficult, and the root enter-, which refers to the intestines, followed by the suffix -ery. It is a medical term used to describe an inflammatory condition of the intestine, particularly the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing blood and mucus. The spelling is derived from the Greek word dysenteria, and it consistently uses the e in the second and third syllables.

Explanation

Jubilant is the correctly spelled word in this group. It is an adjective used to describe a person or group feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph. The word originates from the Latin verb jubilare, which means to shout for joy. In English orthography, the term follows the standard suffix pattern -ant to denote a state of being, and it is consistently spelled with a single l and a single b.

Explanation

Arraign is a verb that means to call or bring someone before a court to answer a criminal charge. The spelling follows the standard English pattern for words derived from the Anglo-French araisner, where the g is silent before the n, similar to words like campaign or deign. In legal proceedings, an arraignment is the formal process of reading the charges to the defendant and recording their plea.

Explanation

The word fulfilment is the correctly spelled British English version of the noun derived from the verb fulfil. According to British orthography, which is the standard for English language testing in India, the terminal l of the root verb is not doubled when the suffix -ment is added. This distinguishes it from the American English spelling, fulfillment, which utilizes a double l in both the verb and the noun form.

Explanation

The noun question is the most appropriate fit because it directly correlates with the word answer used later in the same sentence. In English usage, a question is a matter or doubt raised for inquiry that requires a solution or an answer. This semantic relationship is further reinforced later in the passage in sentence (6), which explicitly refers back to the topic as the question. The context of scientific inquiry regarding the origins and age of the Solar System naturally frames the subject as a fundamental question facing astronomers.

Explanation

The verb wondered is idiomatically paired with the preposition about when expressing curiosity or a desire to know something regarding a specific subject. In this sentence, the object of curiosity is the age of the Earth. Using about correctly establishes the relationship between the mental activity of the subjects and the topic they are contemplating. This construction is standard for indicating the theme or matter that is being questioned or pondered by someone.

Explanation

The sentence employs the present perfect tense in the phrase man has wondered, which signifies an action or state that began in the past and persists into the present. In this grammatical context, the preposition since is the standard choice to indicate the specific point in time when the action commenced. By using since ancient times, the passage accurately reflects that human curiosity regarding the age of the Earth has been a continuous process originating from the earliest periods of history and extending to the modern era.

Explanation

In the context of human history prior to the development of modern science, explanations for the origins and age of the Earth were predominantly found in mythology, folklore, and religious narratives. These traditional accounts used to explain natural phenomena are best characterized as stories. The passage highlights the transition from these ancient narrative explanations to a period of scientific inquiry that began approximately 400 years ago. Using this term emphasizes that before empirical evidence was available, human understanding was based on inherited cultural tales rather than measured data or scientific theory.

Explanation

The passage focuses on the inquiry into the age of the Earth and the nature of the Solar System, framing these topics as a mystery or a question. In English usage, a question is followed by an answer. The sentence describes historical theories and beliefs that people once relied upon because they appeared to provide the necessary information or explanation to resolve their curiosity. Since the text later refers to the difficulty of thinking about the question scientifically, the word answer is the most logically and linguistically consistent choice to describe the responses provided by those early theories.

Explanation

The verb think is the most appropriate choice to describe the cognitive process involved in scientific inquiry. In English, the phrase think about is a common idiomatic expression used when someone is considering, reflecting upon, or contemplating a specific problem or question. The passage contrasts the vague wondering of ancient times with the start of a disciplined, scientific approach that began roughly 400 years ago. At that historical turning point, specifically with the realization of the heliocentric model, humanity was finally able to apply logical reasoning and systematic thought to the question of the Solar System's origins and the Earth's age. Scientific methodology fundamentally begins with the act of thinking critically about observed phenomena to reach a conclusion.

Explanation

The word ago is used to indicate a specific amount of time that has passed from a moment in the past until the present. In the context of the sentence, it denotes that the scientific approach to the question began at a point four centuries prior to the current time. This is a standard temporal adverb used following a measurement of time to mark the distance from the now.

Explanation

The passage describes the historical shift from the geocentric model to the heliocentric model. The breakthrough in scientific understanding occurred when it was proved that the Earth revolves around the Sun. This discovery, championed by astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo, replaced the ancient belief that the Earth was the stationary center of the universe. Establishing that the Earth is a planetary body orbiting a central star allowed scientists to apply the laws of physics and celestial mechanics to study the origins and age of the Solar System systematically.

Explanation

The sentence describes the scientific realization that the Earth is an integral component or member of the Solar System. In this context, the term part accurately defines the Earth's relationship to the collective celestial structure governed by the Sun. Once the heliocentric model was established, it became clear that the Earth is one of several constituent bodies—alongside other planets and asteroids—that together form the system. Using this term signifies that the Earth is a sub-unit or a component belonging to the larger astronomical whole.

Explanation

The passage outlines the historical shift from mythological speculation to systematic scientific inquiry regarding the age of the Earth. Once the heliocentric model was proven and the Earth's position as a part of the Solar System was established, scientists finally had a factual foundation for their investigations. The phrase knew where to begin indicates that this discovery provided the necessary starting point or premise for scientific calculation and research, allowing thinkers to move past earlier guesswork and start their work from a position of astronomical reality.

Explanation

The sentence follows the grammatical structure of the third conditional, which is used to express a hypothetical situation in the past and its imaginary result. The conditional clause If you had told me correctly employs the past perfect tense, consisting of had and the past participle told. The main clause I would have helped you correctly uses the perfect conditional construction, consisting of would have and the past participle helped. Additionally, the verb help can be followed by an object and either a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive; therefore, the phrase helped you solve is grammatically sound. Since every part of the sentence adheres to standard rules of syntax and tense agreement, there is no error.

Explanation

The title of a book is considered a singular subject, regardless of whether the name itself contains plural nouns. Even though The Arabian Nights ends in a plural suffix, it refers to a single literary work. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject must be followed by a singular verb. The use of the plural verb are is grammatically incorrect in this context and should be replaced with the singular verb is to match the singular noun phrase an interesting book.

Explanation

The word despite is a preposition that must be used without of. It is a common grammatical error to confuse despite with the three-word prepositional phrase in spite of, which does require the preposition of to be complete. In English grammar, despite is functionally equivalent to in spite of, but it acts as a standalone preposition. Therefore, the correct phrasing for this sentence is either despite himself or in spite of himself. The use of of immediately following despite in part (c) is redundant and incorrect.

Explanation

The sentence uses the phrase Of all the models, which indicates a comparison involving more than two individuals. In English grammar, when comparing three or more items or people, the superlative degree of an adjective must be used instead of the comparative degree. The word more is the comparative form, used for comparing exactly two things, while most is the superlative form. Therefore, the adjective phrase the more good looking one is grammatically incorrect in this context and should be replaced with the most good looking one to correctly express that Jessica excels among the entire group.

Explanation

The sentence demonstrates a lack of tense consistency between its two clauses. The subordinate clause "When I went there" uses the simple past tense verb "went", which establishes the temporal context of the entire sentence in the past. To maintain grammatical harmony, the action occurring at that specific past moment must also be expressed in a past tense. Instead of the present continuous form "is playing", the sentence requires the past continuous form "was playing" to accurately describe an ongoing action that was taking place when the speaker arrived.

Explanation

The phrase in accordance with is used to indicate that an action is being performed in agreement with or following a specific rule, request, or set of directions. In formal and professional correspondence, particularly in banking, this expression signifies that the person or institution has complied with the mandates or orders provided by the client. By using this phrase, the sentence establishes a direct relationship of conformity between the instructions received and the subsequent closure of the bank account.

Explanation

Although is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a clause that contains a statement contrasting with the main clause. In this sentence, it establishes a logical concession between the subject being clever and the contradictory occurrence of making frequent mistakes. Grammatically, although is followed by a full clause consisting of a subject and a verb, which matches the structure she is clever provided in the prompt.