SSC CGL Tier 1 2011 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The sentence structure presents a choice between two contrasting styles of art. Contemporary refers to art produced in the present time or belonging to the current era. It serves as the standard linguistic and conceptual opposite to traditional art forms, which are based on long-established customs, historical techniques, or heritage. Therefore, the word contemporary logically completes the comparison between modern and historical artistic expressions.

Explanation

This sentence follows the structure of the third conditional, which is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past and its probable result. The grammatical rule for the third conditional requires the if-clause to be in the past perfect tense (if they had known) and the main clause to use the structure would have + past participle. Therefore, would have left is the correct completion to indicate what the farmers would have done differently in the past had they possessed specific information.

Explanation

The Paralympics, or Paralympic Games, are a major international multi-sport event involving athletes with various physical and intellectual impairments. These include athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy. The term is derived from the Greek preposition para, meaning beside or alongside, and the word Olympic, signifying that the games are the parallel event to the Olympics. Organized specifically for athletes with disabilities, the Paralympics are held in the same host city and use the same venues as the Olympic Games, emphasizing high-performance athletic achievement for participants with physical challenges.

Explanation

The word poignant is derived from the Old French word poindre, meaning to prick or sting. In contemporary English usage, it describes something that evokes a keen sense of sadness, regret, or a strong mental appeal. It is frequently used to characterize situations, memories, or artistic works that are deeply moving and touch the emotions in a sorrowful or painful way. Therefore, sad is the most appropriate synonym as it directly reflects the emotional quality of being mournfully affecting or touching.

Explanation

The word querulous is derived from the Latin root queri, which means to complain. It is used to describe an individual who is habitually fretful, petulant, or prone to making complaints in a whining or irritable manner. Consequently, the term directly corresponds to the act of expressing dissatisfaction or being characterized by a complaining attitude.

Explanation

The word audacious is derived from the Latin root audax, meaning daring. It is used to describe a person or an action that shows a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks or displays a lack of fear in the face of challenging or conventional constraints. An audacious individual is characterized by their bravery, intrepidity, and spiritedness. In a linguistic context, bold serves as the most accurate synonym because it directly captures the essence of being fearless and daring in one's behavior or outlook.

Explanation

The word perilous is an adjective that describes something full of danger or risk. It originates from the noun peril, which refers to serious and immediate danger. Hazardous is the most accurate synonym among the choices as it specifically denotes a situation or substance that involves risk or danger to safety or health. Both terms are used interchangeably in contexts where an action or environment poses a significant threat of harm.

Explanation

Reverie refers to a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts or a state of abstracted musing. It describes a condition where an individual is mentally detached from their immediate surroundings and is instead focused on a series of thoughts, fantasies, or imaginary events. This mental state is synonymous with daydreaming, as both involve a lapse in concentration on the external world in favor of internal reflections and mental wandering. The word derives from the Old French term reverie, which implies a sense of dreaming or being in a visionary state while awake.

Explanation

The word autonomous is derived from the Greek words autos meaning self and nomos meaning law, referring to an entity that possesses the power of self-government and functions independently. Since an autonomous person or organization acts without external control or influence, the opposite state is being dependent, which signifies relying on or being subject to the authority and control of another power or entity.

Explanation

The word deceitful describes someone who is prone to misleading others through lies, trickery, or fraudulent behavior. It implies a lack of integrity and an intent to conceal the truth for personal gain. The term honest serves as its direct antonym because it represents the quality of being truthful, upright, and free from any intent to deceive. While deceit involves falsehood and manipulation, honesty involves transparency and a commitment to the truth, making it the most suitable opposite in meaning.

Explanation

Exonerate means to officially absolve someone from blame or to release them from a charge or imputation of guilt. It involves the formal clearing of a person from an accusation after a review of evidence. Conversely, convict means to formally declare someone guilty of a criminal offense, typically by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law. While exoneration removes the legal burden of an accusation, conviction establishes legal guilt, making the two terms direct semantic opposites.

Explanation

The word exaggerate means to represent something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is, essentially overstating the facts or importance of a situation. Its direct antonym is understate, which means to describe or represent something as being smaller, less significant, or less important than it actually is. While exaggeration magnifies the truth, understatement minimizes it, making these two words exact opposites in the context of describing the magnitude or intensity of an event or fact.

Explanation

The word controversial refers to something that is subject to public disagreement, debate, or dispute. It describes topics or statements that are contentious and likely to provoke differing opinions. The word indisputable is its direct antonym because it describes something that is so certain or evident that it cannot be challenged, doubted, or denied. When a fact or statement is indisputable, it is accepted as true by everyone, which removes the possibility of the disagreement or conflict that defines a controversial subject.

Explanation

The idiom to strain every nerve means to exert oneself to the maximum extent possible to achieve a goal. It originates from the physical sensation of using every muscle and fiber of one's body during intense labor or competition. When someone strains every nerve, they are employing all their available energy, resources, and determination to ensure success in a task or to overcome a significant challenge.

Explanation

The idiom to flog a dead horse originates from the literal and futile act of whipping a horse that is already deceased in an attempt to make it move or perform work. Since a dead animal cannot be revived or forced to respond to physical stimulus, the effort is entirely useless and the objective is unreachable. Metaphorically, the phrase describes an attempt to do the impossible or to waste energy trying to revive interest in a matter that has already been settled. it signifies continuing to pursue a line of action or a goal where the circumstances are fixed and no further progress or change can ever be achieved.

Explanation

The idiom to show a clean pair of heels means to run away very fast or to escape from a pursuer. It originates from the physical act of running where a person flees so quickly that the only thing visible to those left behind is the heels of their feet. In general usage, it signifies outrunning someone or making a speedy getaway to avoid being caught.

Explanation

The idiom to die in harness originates from the imagery of a horse that dies while still wearing its gear and working in the field. It is used to describe a person who passes away while still actively engaged in their professional duties or employment, rather than after retirement. This expression signifies that the individual remained in service until the time of their death.

Explanation

The idiom to feather one's nest is a metaphorical expression derived from the way birds use feathers to make their nests soft and comfortable. In a professional or social context, it refers to the act of enriching oneself, typically by using one's position or influence to gain wealth dishonestly or selfishly. It implies that a person is taking advantage of their circumstances to accumulate personal assets, often at the expense of others or through the misappropriation of funds they have been entrusted with.

Explanation

In English syntax, adjectival phrases should be placed as close as possible to the nouns they modify to ensure clarity and logical flow. The comparative phrase taller than any of his comrades describes the Sikh. By placing this entire descriptive unit immediately after the subject, the sentence correctly identifies the specific attribute of the person before describing his action of rushing forward. This arrangement maintains the structural integrity of the comparison and prevents the grammatical confusion caused by separating the adjective from its corresponding comparative particle.

Explanation

In English grammar, a relative clause should be placed as close as possible to the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity. The original sentence contains a misplaced modifier because the clause who was famous is positioned after Queen Anne, potentially implying that the Queen, rather than the author, was the one being described as famous. By restructuring the sentence so the relative clause immediately follows the subject An author, the intended meaning is clarified and the grammatical relationship between the subject and its description is properly established.

Explanation

The sentence employs a third conditional structure, which is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past and its imaginary result. This grammatical construction requires the if-clause to be in the past perfect tense, using had followed by the past participle of the verb, while the main clause uses would have followed by the past participle. By using the phrase if you had not supported him, the sentence correctly applies the past perfect tense to establish the unreal condition in the past. This perfectly complements the main clause he would have lost the election to show that the outcome was dependent on a specific past action that did indeed happen. The use of this explicit conditional form is considered more grammatically robust in formal contexts for expressing counterfactual results.

Explanation

The word enough acts as an adverb when it modifies an adjective or another adverb. In such cases, the grammatical rule dictates that enough must be placed after the word it modifies. In the given sentence, rich is an adjective, so enough must follow it to form the phrase rich enough. This follows the standard structure of Adjective + enough + to-infinitive to express sufficiency for a particular purpose or action.

Explanation

The original sentence suffers from a logical error where a human is said to have run over a vehicle. To correct this, the sentence must be restructured to show that the lorry was the agent of the action. In option (c), the phrase walking along the road is a participle phrase that correctly modifies an old man, functioning as an adjective. This construction clearly establishes that the man was the one walking while the lorry performed the action of running him over, making the sentence grammatically sound and logically coherent.

Explanation

The word acoustic is spelled correctly according to standard English orthography. It is derived from the Greek word akoustikos, which means relating to hearing. In modern usage, it refers to the properties of sound, the sense of hearing, or the science of sounds. It is also commonly used to describe musical instruments that produce sound through natural resonance rather than electronic amplification. The spelling follows the phonetic and etymological patterns established for words originating from its Greek root, maintaining the precise sequence of a-c-o-u-s-t-i-c.

Explanation

Repentant is the correctly spelled adjective used to describe someone who feels or expresses sincere regret and remorse for their wrongdoing. The word originates from the Old French verb repentir and follows the morphological pattern of adding the suffix -ant to the base verb repent. This specific suffix is required to form the adjective, and it characterizes the word based on its historical Latin and French etymology.

Explanation

Demagogue is correctly spelled and refers to a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument. The word is derived from the Greek roots demos, meaning people, and agogos, meaning leader or guide. In political science and history, it describes a leader who uses inflammatory rhetoric and emotional manipulation to gain power, prioritizing popular passions over logical reasoning or sound policy.

Explanation

The term insolvent specifically refers to an individual or entity that is unable to pay their debts or meet their financial obligations as they fall due. In legal and financial contexts, insolvency signifies a state where a person's liabilities exceed their assets or where they lack the liquid funds necessary to satisfy creditors. This condition is often the precursor to formal bankruptcy proceedings.

Explanation

Blasphemy refers to the act of speaking sacrilegiously or irreverently about God or sacred things. It is the specific term used to describe speech, writing, or actions that show contempt, lack of reverence, or impious behavior toward a deity or religious symbols. The term originates from the Greek word blasphemia, meaning profane speech or defamation in a religious context.

Explanation

To quibble means to argue or raise objections about a trivial matter, often as a way to avoid dealing with the central point of a discussion. Similarly, to prevaricate means to speak or act in an evasive way to avoid providing a direct answer or being honest about the core of an issue. Both terms describe the act of using minor points or ambiguous language as a means of evasion, making prevaricate the most suitable substitution for quibble in this context.

Explanation

The term lexicographer refers to a person whose profession involves the compilation, writing, and editing of dictionaries. This role requires detailed research into the meanings, origins, pronunciations, and usage of words within a specific language to create a structured reference work. The word is derived from the Greek roots lexikon, meaning dictionary, and graphein, meaning to write or record. Individuals in this field are responsible for ensuring that the vocabulary of a language is accurately documented for public or academic use.

Explanation

A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves the extraction of a sample of cells or tissue from a living subject for laboratory examination. This process is used to identify the presence, cause, or extent of a disease by allowing pathologists to study the specimen under a microscope. It is a standard diagnostic tool for investigating abnormalities in organs and determining whether specific growths are cancerous or benign.

Explanation

The passage describes the sociological concept of culture as a dynamic and ongoing process within a community. By using the metaphor of a flowing stream, the text illustrates how culture maintains its identity through the continuity of social life and shared experiences. The subsequent sentences in the cloze test specifically mention a continuous way of life, traditions, and conduct, all of which are fundamental attributes of culture. Furthermore, the explicit use of the word culture later in the passage confirms that it is the primary subject being established in the opening sentence.

Explanation

The word when functions as a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a clause that specifies a condition or a particular time. In the context of the sentence, the phrase only when establishes a necessary requirement for the subject to become a flowing stream. It logically connects the result in the first part of the sentence to the essential condition of continuity described in the second part. This usage indicates that the transformation happens at the specific time or under the specific circumstance that the condition of continuous life in a society is met.

Explanation

The passage discusses the formation of culture within a society, which relies on the continuity of shared experiences. Collective life accurately describes the shared social existence of a group of people that allows a culture to develop and persist.

Explanation

The phrase in other words is a standard idiomatic expression used to introduce a restatement or a clearer explanation of a previously mentioned point. In this passage, the author uses this phrase to transition from the metaphorical description of a flowing stream and continuity of life to a more direct definition of how culture is formed through a continuous way of life. It serves as a cohesive device to link the two sentences by signaling that the same concept is being expressed in a different manner.

Explanation

The passage describes the process by which a society develops its own specific identity through the continuity of shared experiences and traditions. The term distinctive is used to characterize a culture that has acquired a clear, recognizable, and individual character that distinguishes it from others. In the context of the sentence, a distinctive culture emerges when a group of people maintains a continuous way of life, leading to the establishment of unique common traditions and social norms.

Explanation

The phrase comes into existence is a standard idiomatic expression in English used to describe the process of something beginning to be or being created. In the context of this passage, it refers to the formation and manifestation of a culture as a result of a society maintaining a continuous way of life. The sentence establishes that culture is not static but emerges and lives through the shared practices and historical continuity of a people.

Explanation

The sentence discusses how a distinct culture is established through the collective habits of a society. The expression way of life describes the specific customs, behaviors, and traditions that characterize a group. In English usage, the verb follow is the most appropriate choice to describe the act of adhering to or living according to such a set of practices. When individuals in a society consistently follow a shared way of life over time, they create the continuity necessary for a culture to emerge and sustain itself as a flowing stream. This alignment between individual behavior and communal tradition is what allows culture to come into existence and maintain its identity.

Explanation

The passage establishes a central theme of persistence and flow within a society, specifically using the term continuous in the preceding sentence to describe a way of life. The word Such functions as a demonstrative adjective that refers back to a quality or concept already mentioned. Since the text emphasizes that a culture exists when people maintain a continuous way of life, the noun continuity is the only logically consistent choice to complete the thought, signifying the ongoing nature of the traditions and conduct being described.

Explanation

The verb phrase "expresses itself" requires the preposition "in" to connect the subject's manifestation to the forms it takes. In the context of the passage, "in various ways" is a standard idiomatic expression used to describe the diverse manners in which a social concept, such as continuity or culture, becomes visible. Therefore, the preposition "in" correctly links the expression of social continuity to the common traditions and conduct of a society.

Explanation

The passage discusses the continuity of social life and the manifestation of culture through shared behaviors. In sociological and cultural contexts, the phrase norms of conduct refers to the set of unwritten social rules, expectations, and standards that govern the behavior of individuals within a society. Unlike formal legal structures, norms are deeply integrated with traditions and collective heritage, serving as the informal guidelines that maintain social order and cultural identity. The sentence pairs traditions with norms because both represent the organic, evolved patterns of behavior that characterize a continuous way of life in a community.