SSC CGL Tier 1 2014 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that virus writers gain access to their host's computing resources by using social engineering and exploiting detailed knowledge of security vulnerabilities. Social engineering involves the psychological manipulation of individuals to trick them into performing actions or divulging confidential information that compromises security, such as opening a malicious attachment or clicking an infected link. By combining these human-centric tactics with technical exploits of software flaws, virus writers are able to bypass security measures and install self-replicating programs on a target system without the user's consent.

Explanation

The verb prefer is idiomatic and requires the preposition to when comparing two nouns or gerunds. Unlike comparative adjectives such as better or faster which use the conjunction than, words of Latin origin like prefer, senior, junior, superior, and inferior are followed by to. In this sentence, the comparison between tea and coffee must be expressed as tea to coffee to be grammatically correct.

Explanation

The error in part (c) is the use of the adjective real. In the context of artistic works like drawings or paintings, the word realistic is the appropriate term to describe a representation that looks like the actual object or person. While real refers to something that exists in physical actuality and is not imaginary, realistic refers to the style or quality of a representation that accurately depicts life. Therefore, the sentence should use realistic to correctly describe the quality of the drawings.

Explanation

The sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error. The subject An old man is a singular noun, which requires the singular auxiliary verb was in the past continuous tense. The use of the plural auxiliary verb were is grammatically incorrect in this context. To make the sentence correct, it should read: An old man was crossing the road at the zebra crossing.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct as it follows the standard structure for describing a sudden action that occurs in the middle of a continuous activity in the past. The sudden event is expressed in the Past Indefinite tense (I sprained), while the background activity is correctly expressed in the Past Continuous tense (I was playing) using the conjunction when. There are no errors in tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, or word usage.

Explanation

The phrase It is time, similar to It is high time or It is about time, is a fixed idiomatic expression that must be followed by a clause in the simple past tense to indicate that an action is already overdue. When a subject follows this expression, the verb should be in the subjunctive mood using the V₂ form. Therefore, the construction we should accept is grammatically incorrect in this context. The modal verb should must be removed and the verb accept must be changed to its past tense form, accepted, to correctly complete the structure It is time we accepted all our people as equals.

Explanation

The idiom nothing to write about is a variation of the common phrase nothing to write home about, which is used to describe something that is mediocre, unremarkable, or not particularly special. When someone says an experience was nothing to write about, they mean it was not impressive enough to merit a report or mention. In this context, it signifies that the restaurant was ordinary or just average, lacking any standout qualities that would make it excellent or noteworthy.

Explanation

The idiom if push comes to shove refers to a situation where one must take action because there are no other choices left or when a situation becomes critical. In this context, Fela is an immigrant in London facing the difficulty of unemployment. His final alternative or last resort, should his circumstances in London become untenable, is to return to his home country, Nigeria. This option completes the sentence logically by providing a realistic fallback plan for an expatriate.

Explanation

The idiom "full of yourself" means to be conceited, arrogant, or to have an inflated ego. Since this phrase is used as a criticism or an insult, a person who is told this would likely feel offended or upset, rather than proud or pleased.

Explanation

In the context of archery, the word aim refers to the target or the specific mark that the archer intends to hit. When the sentence states that the archer missed by an inch, it signifies a failure to strike the intended object or point of focus. As a noun, aim represents the purpose or the object towards which an action is directed, making it the most appropriate term to describe the target that was narrowly missed by the arrow.

Explanation

The phrase to tie the knot is a common English idiom that means to get married. This figurative expression originates from various historical wedding traditions where a literal knot was tied to symbolize the union and binding commitment between two individuals. In standard linguistic usage, the decision for two people to marry is conventionally driven by their mutual affection and commitment. Therefore, because Bob and Jane are entering into a marriage, the explanation that they loved one another provide the most logical and appropriate context for the use of this idiom.

Explanation

The word credible is derived from the Latin root credere, which means to believe, combined with the suffix -ible, meaning able to be. Consequently, something described as credible is capable of being believed or accepted as true because it is convincing, reliable, or trustworthy. In English vocabulary, it serves as a direct synonym for believable, particularly when referring to a person, an argument, or a piece of evidence that commands trust and carries sufficient authority to be accepted.

Explanation

Extricate is derived from the Latin word extricatus, where the prefix ex- means out of and tricae refers to perplexities or hindrances. The term means to release or disentangle someone or something from a difficult, constrained, or trapped situation. It involves the act of setting something loose that is caught in an entanglement, whether physical, like freeing a limb from debris, or metaphorical, such as removing oneself from a complicated legal or social predicament. Because the core meaning centers on liberation and the removal of restrictions, free is the most appropriate synonym.

Explanation

Obstreperous refers to someone who is noisy and difficult to control, typically characterized by a defiant or resistant attitude toward authority. The term is derived from the Latin word obstreperus, which means clamorous or shouting against. It describes behavior that is boisterous, loud, and stubbornly resistant to discipline, making unruly the most precise synonym to express its meaning.

Explanation

The word acquit means to formally state in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a crime. It represents the legal discharge or release from an accusation or charge. The word condemn is its direct antonym in this context, as it means to pronounce someone guilty, to sentence them to a particular punishment, or to express strong disapproval of their actions. While one term signifies exoneration and freedom from blame, the other signifies conviction and the imposition of a penalty.

Explanation

Dissent refers to the act of holding or expressing opinions that are at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held. It implies a lack of consensus or a formal disagreement with a majority view. Agreement serves as the direct antonym because it signifies a state of harmony, concurrence, or a mutual understanding where multiple parties share the same opinion or give their consent to a particular idea or decision.

Explanation

The word group denotes a collection of multiple people, objects, or entities gathered together or classified as a single unit. Its direct semantic opposite is individual, which refers to a single, distinct entity or person considered separately from a collective or a whole. While group emphasizes plurality and togetherness, individual highlights the status of being a single member or a lone unit, making it the standard antonym in terms of social and numerical classification.

Explanation

The idiom keep the wolf from the door means to have enough money to avert hunger or starvation. Historically, the wolf has been used in literature and folklore as a metaphor for famine and desperate need. To keep this wolf away from one's dwelling implies maintaining a level of income sufficient to provide for the most basic necessities of life, such as food and shelter. Consequently, it refers to the act of earning just enough to avoid falling into a state of extreme poverty or destitution.

Explanation

The idiom foam at the mouth is used to describe a state of extreme fury or intense rage. It originates from the physical appearance of animals, particularly those with rabies, or individuals in a state of high agitation where saliva collects around the lips. In a figurative sense, it conveys that a person is so uncontrollably angry that they are nearly losing their composure or ability to speak rationally. In the given sentence, the mention of her former husband's name triggers a reaction of severe indignation and wrath in Rita.

Explanation

The verb to husband means to manage resources with prudence and economy. It involves the careful conservation of assets such as money, time, or supplies to ensure they are available for future use or during periods of scarcity. This usage is derived from the traditional role of a household manager responsible for the efficient administration and preservation of domestic stores. Therefore, husbanding resources specifically refers to the act of saving and using them sparingly.

Explanation

The phrasal verb bring about means to cause something to happen or to make something occur. In the context of the sentence, the newly elected Chief Minister is promising to initiate or lead the process that results in changes within the state. This idiom is frequently used in formal and political contexts to describe the act of effecting a transformation or ensuring that a specific result takes place through one's actions.

Explanation

The idiom to give vent to means to freely express or release a strong emotion or feeling. It is derived from the literal meaning of a vent, which is an opening that allows air, gas, or steam to escape from a confined space. Figuratively, when someone gives vent to a feeling such as pleasure, anger, or frustration, they are providing an outlet for that emotion to be displayed outwardly rather than keeping it bottled up. In the context of the sentence, the person made his internal feeling of pleasure visible to others by smiling, thereby using the smile as a vehicle to express his emotional state.

Explanation

The preposition towards is used to indicate movement in the direction of a specific destination or geographical point. In this sentence, the action of sailing is directed at Scotlands shore, making towards the grammatically appropriate choice to establish the spatial relationship between the vessel and its objective. It correctly conveys that the subject was moving nearer to the coastline.

Explanation

In formal and official correspondence, the verb grant is the most appropriate term used when requesting or providing permission, such as a leave of absence. The verb grant functions as a ditransitive verb, which allows it to take both an indirect object (me) and a direct object (some leave) without the necessity of an intervening preposition. Using grant me follows the standard grammatical pattern of [verb] + [indirect object] + [direct object], making the request more polite and professionally suitable than the relatively informal give me.

Explanation

The phrase about to is an idiomatic construction used to indicate that an action is imminent or will occur in the very near future. It follows the grammatical pattern of the verb be followed by about and a to-infinitive. This expression is more precise for indicating that an event is on the verge of happening, providing a stronger sense of immediacy than the original wording. By using this construction, the sentence clearly communicates that the office is at the point of being closed.

Explanation

The phrase well-versed is a standard idiomatic expression used to describe someone who possesses a deep, thorough knowledge and high level of skill in a particular subject or field. In the context of an educator and their academic discipline, this term is the most appropriate and natural collocation. It functions effectively as an adjective phrase that pairs correctly with the preposition in to indicate comprehensive expertise and familiarity with the subject matter.

Explanation

The standard order of adjectives in English requires that adjectives describing the condition or state of an object, such as broken, precede adjectives describing the material from which the object is made, such as wooden. Placing the adjectives directly before the noun also creates a more concise and natural sentence structure compared to the original relative clause. Therefore, the sequence broken wooden chair correctly follows the rules of adjective placement while improving the overall flow of the sentence.

Explanation

The original sentence "The robbers fled before the police came" is grammatically correct. In English, the simple past (fled) can be used for the first of two past actions when the sequence is clearly established by conjunctions like "before" or "after," although the past perfect (had fled) is also commonly used. Since none of the provided alternatives (A, B, or C) improve the grammar or maintain the logical context of the sentence, no improvement is necessary.

Explanation

The sentence correctly employs the Past Perfect Passive voice to indicate a sequence of events in the past. The guests being invited happened prior to the time they failed to appear at the party and the hosts being taken aback. In English grammar, the Past Perfect tense is used to describe an action completed before another past action. Since the guests were the recipients of the invitation and did not perform the act of inviting themselves, the passive construction had been invited is the grammatically accurate form to use. Because the original phrasing is correct in both tense and voice, no improvement is necessary.

Explanation

The verb aim is idiomatic when followed by the preposition at to indicate the target or intended recipient of an action. When describing the act of attempting to hit someone, the standard English construction is to aim a blow at a specific target. This prepositional usage correctly identifies the object toward which the strike is directed. In the literary context of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, from which this sentence is derived, the author specifically uses this phrasing to describe the master's reaction. The preposition at functions to link the directed action of aiming the ladle to the specific destination of Oliver's head.

Explanation

The original sentence uses a defining relative clause with the present perfect tense to accurately identify the specific group of individuals. The use of have won prizes correctly indicates an action completed in the past that has direct relevance to the current situation of being honoured. This construction is grammatically precise, idiomatic, and clear in its delivery of meaning. Because the phrase is already in its most standard and effective form for formal English, no changes are required to improve the clarity or correctness of the sentence.

Explanation

The idiom from place to place is the most appropriate expression to describe movement between various locations or destinations in a general sense. In English grammar and usage, this phrase is preferred for its conciseness and idiomatic flow when defining the function of a vehicle or the act of traveling. It effectively conveys the idea of moving across different points without the wordiness of the original construction, making it the standard choice for formal descriptions of transportation.

Explanation

An excerpt is defined as a short passage or portion taken from a larger literary work, document, film, or piece of music. It serves as a representative sample or a specific segment chosen for citation, analysis, or performance. The term originates from the Latin word excerpere, which translates to plucking out or picking out, signifying the act of selecting a specific piece from a complete text.

Explanation

A vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat or fish and instead subsists on a diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts. The term is specifically used for individuals who make a dietary choice to live on plant-based foods for health, ethical, or religious reasons.

Explanation

An advocate is defined as an individual who publicly supports, recommends, or speaks in favor of a particular cause, policy, or person. The term originates from the Latin word advocatus, which refers to one called to aid or plead for another. In general usage, an advocate acts as a proponent who champions an idea or a set of beliefs to influence public opinion or decision-making processes. This role involves actively pleading for or defending a specific position, making it the precise term for someone who provides verbal or written support for something.

Explanation

A salvo is defined as a simultaneous discharge of artillery or guns, specifically used as a ceremonial salute or to mark an occasion. While fusillade and volley refer to multiple shots fired, they are more commonly associated with military combat or a rapid succession of fire rather than a commemorative event.

Explanation

A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or sequence of characters that reads the same backward as forward. The term originates from the Greek words palin, which means back or again, and dromos, meaning way or direction. In English, common examples of palindromic words include radar, level, and rotor. When applied to phrases, punctuation and spacing are typically disregarded to maintain the symmetry, such as in the phrase "A man, a plan, a canal, Panama." This symmetrical property ensures that the sequence of letters is identical whether processed from the first character to the last or vice versa.

Explanation

An egoist is an individual who is primarily focused on their own self-interest and personal advantage. The term is derived from the Latin word ego, meaning I, and describes a person who views their own needs and desires as the central priority. This personality trait involves being excessively self-absorbed or self-centred, often resulting in a lack of consideration for the perspectives or well-being of others. In psychological terms, it identifies a person who is preoccupied with their own importance and motivated by their own welfare.

Explanation

A criterion is a principle or standard by which something is evaluated, judged, or decided. It serves as a benchmark or basis for assessment, allowing for the comparison of different entities or the determination of whether specific requirements or expectations have been met.

Explanation

The word possession is derived from the Latin possessio, which comes from the verb possidere. In English orthography, the correct spelling requires a double s in two separate instances within the word. It is constructed with the initial syllable po, followed by the first double s and the vowel e, and then followed by a second double s and the suffix ion. This specific pattern of using double s for both internal consonant sounds is the standard convention for this noun, which refers to the state of having or owning something.

Explanation

The word Immaculate is correctly spelled with a double m and a single c. It originates from the Latin root immaculatus, which combines the prefix in- (meaning not) with macula (meaning spot or blemish). In English, it is used to describe something that is perfectly clean, neat, or free from any flaws or errors.

Explanation

According to the provided passage, scientific inventions began after the Industrial Revolution of 1789. The text specifically identifies this year as the starting point for the modern era of progress, during which science has made wonderful advancements over the subsequent 200 years.

Explanation

According to the provided text, the specific compartment or cabin where the pilot sits to control the aeroplane is identified as the cockpit. In aviation, the cockpit is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft and contains the instrument panel and controls.

Explanation

The provided passage explicitly states that an aeroplane has an engine that is worked by petrol. It further describes the aeroplane as a metal structure that resembles a bird in shape and is capable of flying at very high speeds after gathering momentum on a runway.

Explanation

The provided passage explicitly states that the aeroplane is one of the most important inventions of science during the Modern Age. It identifies the aeroplane as the fastest means of transport known so far, noting its metal construction and its ability to fly at very high speeds. The text highlights this invention as a key example of the wonderful progress made by science in the 200 years following the Industrial Revolution.

Explanation

The opening sentence of the passage explicitly states that we are living in the Age of Science. This statement sets the thematic foundation for the rest of the text, which discusses how scientific progress and inventions have advanced significantly in the two centuries following the Industrial Revolution.

Explanation

The provided text explicitly states that as of 2011, over 30,000 km of new highways were planned or under construction as part of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). Within this specific expansion target, the measurement of expressways identified as being currently under construction is over 2,600 km.

Explanation

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was established under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988, as the central agency for the management of the national highway network. Its primary mandate involves the physical development and upkeep of the roads entrusted to it by the Government of India. This includes the construction of new highway segments, the technical upgrading of existing infrastructure to accommodate higher traffic volumes—such as widening roads to four or six lanes—and the regular maintenance required to keep the network operational. NHAI also oversees the implementation of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) and utilizes various public-private partnership models to facilitate the building and tolling of these essential transport corridors.

Explanation

According to the data regarding the National Highway network as of 2010, the total length of highways in India was approximately 70,934 km. The infrastructure was distributed such that roughly 15,000 km of these roads were developed as four or six-lane highways to handle high-density traffic. The remaining bulk of the network, totaling approximately 50,000 km, consisted of two-lane roads. This configuration reflected the state of the network during the early phases of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), which aimed to modernize and expand Indian roads. Despite making up only about 2 percent of the total road length in India, these highways, including the 50,000 km of two-lane sections, were responsible for carrying nearly 40 percent of the nation's total road traffic.

Explanation

National highways form the backbone of the Indian road infrastructure. Based on the statistical data available during the 2010-2014 period, these highways accounted for approximately 2% of the total road length in India. While they make up a small portion of the overall road network, they are designed to connect state capitals, major ports, and strategic areas, resulting in them carrying nearly 40% of the total road traffic in the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) manages this specific 2% of the network through various phases of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) to upgrade existing two-lane stretches into higher-capacity corridors.