SSC CGL Tier 1 2014 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word antiquity refers to the ancient past or the period of history before the Middle Ages. In the context of the passage, it describes the long historical timeline of electricity, indicating that its origins reach back to very early human history. Ancient serves as a synonym because it pertains to a remote period of time that is no longer in existence. Both terms emphasize the great age and historical depth of the subject being discussed.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression to part from someone is used when people separate or say goodbye to each other. While to part with is typically used for giving up possessions or objects, to part from is the correct preposition to use for persons.

Explanation

The idiom to go out of one's way means to make a special effort to do something or to take extra trouble to help someone, even if it is not convenient or required. In the context of the sentence, the subject is making a deliberate and extra effort beyond his normal routine specifically to please or accommodate his superior. This idiomatic expression is the standard way to describe performing a task with more effort or care than is normally expected for the benefit of another person.

Explanation

The sentence describes the negative consequences of a protracted or long-lasting illness. The term infirm refers to a state of being physically or mentally weak. In the context of a debilitating health condition that renders a person weak, the natural progression is the depletion or disappearance of physical capabilities and expertise. Therefore, losing logically completes the thought, as it indicates the deprivation of strength and previously held skills due to the ongoing state of infirmity.

Explanation

The word recreant refers to a person who is unfaithful to a belief or cause, making it the most appropriate term for someone who has abandoned their faith. In contrast, a suppliant is someone who makes a humble plea, which does not fit the context of the sentence.

Explanation

In English grammar, the verb mind is followed by a gerund, which is the -ing form of a verb acting as a noun. When using the polite request formula Would you mind, the structure requires the gerund to express the action being requested. This rule applies to both interrogative and negative sentences involving the verb mind, making opening the grammatically correct choice to complete the request.

Explanation

The word impervious refers to something that does not allow fluid, light, or influence to pass through it. Similarly, impenetrable describes a substance or barrier that is impossible to pass through, enter, or pierce. Both terms are used to denote a state of being resistant to external penetration or impact, whether in a physical sense, such as a waterproof material, or in a figurative sense, such as a person who remains unaffected by persuasion or criticism.

Explanation

The word peruse means to read, study, or survey something in a thorough and detailed manner. It involves a close inspection or scrutiny of a text or object to understand its contents or characteristics fully. Therefore, examine is the most appropriate synonym because it describes the act of inspecting or looking at something closely and carefully to learn more about it or to check its condition. In both formal and literary contexts, perusing a document implies a level of attention and analysis that is synonymous with examining it.

Explanation

The word amicable is derived from the Latin root amicus, which means friend. It is used to describe relations, interactions, or settlements characterized by goodwill and a peaceable disposition. In linguistics, the term specifically denotes a spirit of friendliness and a desire to avoid disagreement or conflict, particularly in situations where tension might otherwise exist. It identifies behavior that is cooperative and harmonious in nature, directly aligning with the meaning of being friendly.

Explanation

Desecration refers to the act of treating a sacred place or object with disrespect, contempt, or profanity, effectively violating its sanctity. Veneration is the opposite as it signifies the act of honoring, admiring, or regarding someone or something with deep respect and reverence, particularly in a religious or sacred context. While desecration involves the degradation of the holy, veneration involves the practice of hallowing and preserving its spiritual importance.

Explanation

The word yield means to give way to arguments, demands, or pressure, or to surrender and submit to a force. Its direct antonym is resist, which means to withstand the action or effect of something, to strive against, or to refuse to give in to a particular force or influence. While yielding involves submission and compliance, resisting involves active opposition and maintaining one's position against pressure.

Explanation

The word particularly is an adverb used to indicate a specific or singular focus on an individual person, thing, or circumstance. It emphasizes uniqueness or a specific instance within a group. In contrast, the word generally refers to something in a broad, non-specific sense, describing what is true in most cases or for the majority of a group. Since particularly denotes specificity and generally denotes a lack of specificity or a broad overview, they are opposite in meaning.

Explanation

The idiom going places is used to describe a person or a group that is showing a high level of talent and is clearly destined for great success. It suggests upward mobility, progress, and the potential to achieve significant milestones in a chosen field. In the context of Indians in software technology, it signifies that they are demonstrating exceptional skill and are attaining a position of prominence and success within the global industry.

Explanation

The idiom pull no punches means to speak directly and honestly without trying to soften the blow or hide the truth. Therefore, speaks frankly is the most accurate interpretation among the given options.

Explanation

The idiom on the same page signifies that the individuals involved are in agreement or have a shared understanding of a situation. It describes a scenario where everyone has the same information and is thinking in a similar way about the goals and methods required for a project. This commonality of perspective ensures that the group operates cohesively, as all members are aligned in their knowledge and expectations, allowing them to work together effectively toward a unified outcome.

Explanation

The idiom in the air refers to a plan or situation that has not yet been settled or finalized, making it synonymous with being undecided or uncertain. Therefore, A is the correct interpretation.

Explanation

The idiom back to the drawing board signifies that a previous attempt or project has failed and it is necessary to start over from the very beginning with a new plan. It originates from the idea of an architect or engineer returning to their initial sketches after a design fails to work in practice. In the given sentence, because the efforts at pest control were unsuccessful, the individual must return to the initial planning stage to devise a completely new strategy.

Explanation

The phrase transportation for life is a standard legal idiom used to denote a sentence of exile to a penal colony for the duration of a person's life. In formal legal writing, the preposition for is required to specify the term of the punishment, whereas the word till is considered non-standard in this specific context. The use of liable for serves to indicate the specific penalty or consequence that an individual must face as a result of a criminal act. This phrasing ensures that the sentence correctly employs the technical terminology and prepositional usage found in historical legal codes and judicial sentences.

Explanation

The phrase for one is an idiomatic expression used to emphasize that the person mentioned is a specific example of the situation or opinion just described. In this sentence, the speaker first suggests that many people will be absent from the meeting and then uses for one to highlight their own personal situation as an instance of that general prediction. It serves to identify the speaker as one individual among the many who cannot attend due to being in Chennai.

Explanation

The standard English idiom is few and far between, which is used to describe events or items that are infrequent, rare, or separated by long intervals of time or space. In this expression, few indicates a small number, and far between indicates a wide gap between occurrences. The addition of the indefinite article a in the original sentence is grammatically incorrect because the phrase functions as a fixed adjectival idiom that does not require an article before few. Using few and far between correctly conveys that the visits to the family do not happen often.

Explanation

The verb last is used to indicate the duration of an event or state. In negative constructions, the adverb long is the standard idiomatic way to express that something will not continue for an extended period. The phrase last long is a concise and grammatically correct expression that functions as a complete predicate to describe the endurance of the friendship. Using long as an adverb directly modifies the verb last, making it the most natural and effective way to convey the intended meaning in English syntax.

Explanation

The verb prevent is a transitive verb that generally requires a direct object to specify what is being hindered. In this context, the pronoun them is necessary to refer back to all these articles. The standard idiomatic construction for this verb is prevent someone or something from doing something. Additionally, when expressing the cause or agent responsible for an action like spoiling, the preposition by is used to connect the gerund to the source of the damage, which is damp. Thus, the phrase prevent them from spoiling by damp provides the correct grammatical structure and clear logical connection between the articles, the action of spoiling, and the environmental cause.

Explanation

The original sentence is improved by changing the passive construction was failed to the active voice failed, as a project fails as a result of specific conditions rather than being acted upon by an external agent in this context. The adverb only is correctly placed before the conjunction because to indicate that the lack of perseverance was the sole reason for the failure. Additionally, persevere is an intransitive verb that does not take a reflexive object, so the word yourself is removed. The addition of the prepositional phrase for it provides a necessary object of reference, clarifying that the perseverance was required specifically for the success of the project mentioned.

Explanation

The word sympathy is an uncountable noun, and much is the appropriate quantifier used to express a large amount or high degree of such an abstract quality. The present tense have is more natural in this context because the speaker is directly addressing their friend, expressing a current state of feeling or agreement regarding the friend's situation. Additionally, the use of a comparative like more usually requires a following than clause or a clear context of comparison, whereas much serves as a complete and grammatically sound intensifier for the noun.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression for engaging in an activity is "go + verb-ing," such as "go swimming" or "go shopping." Therefore, "go hitch-hiking" is the grammatically correct and most natural construction without the preposition for.

Explanation

The verb grate refers to the harsh, rasping, or scraping sound produced when two hard surfaces, such as the metal components of a heavy iron gate and its hinges, rub against each other. This specific sound is caused by friction during movement, particularly when the surfaces are unlubricated or the object is substantial in weight. In the context of a heavy gate swinging on its mechanical pivots, this term accurately captures the characteristic noise of metal-on-metal friction.

Explanation

The sentence requires a subordinating conjunction to introduce a clause that contrasts with the main observation about India. The conjunction While is used to express a contrast between two simultaneous facts or situations. Furthermore, the phrase requires the prepositions in and of to establish the correct spatial relationship between the parts and the world. Using While in other parts of provides the necessary grammatical framework to compare the 20 per cent global farm ownership by women against the specific statistic of less than 7 per cent in India, resulting in a logically and syntactically complete sentence.

Explanation

The word obsolescent describes something that is in the process of becoming obsolete or passing out of use. It is used to identify items, technologies, or customs that are becoming outdated and are being gradually replaced by newer or more advanced versions. While an obsolete item is already completely out of date, an obsolescent one is currently transitioning toward that state.

Explanation

A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that consists of either a combination of spirits or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as fruit juice, flavored syrup, cream, or bitters. It is specifically characterized by the blending of different components to create a unique flavor profile, distinguishing it from pure spirits or single-ingredient alcoholic beverages.

Explanation

The term bovine is derived from the Latin word bos, which means ox or cow. It is used as an adjective to describe anything that relates to, affects, or resembles cattle. In biological classification, it refers to members of the subfamily Bovinae, which includes domestic cows as well as other large-hoofed mammals like buffalo and bison.

Explanation

A contingency refers to a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with absolute certainty. It represents a potential occurrence that depends on chance or the fulfillment of specific conditions, often requiring advance planning or a backup strategy to address its impact should it materialize. In professional and legal contexts, it is commonly used to describe unforeseen risks or incidents that might happen in the future.

Explanation

The word penchant refers to a strong or habitual liking for something or a tendency to do something. It is derived from the French word penchant, which means leaning or inclining. In English usage, it specifically denotes a definite and habitual attraction or a strong taste for a particular activity or object. Therefore, it serves as the precise substitute for the phrase describing a special fondness or liking.

Explanation

The term patrilineal is derived from the Latin word pater, meaning father, and linea, meaning line. It describes a system of kinship, descent, or inheritance that is traced through the male line or the father's side of the family. In such social structures, an individual's family membership and identity are determined by their father's lineage, and property or titles are traditionally passed down from the father to his offspring.

Explanation

A syllable is a fundamental unit of pronunciation that consists of a single vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonant sounds. It represents a distinct pulse or beat of the voice when speaking, allowing a word to be broken down into segments that can be uttered independently. For example, the word "reading" consists of two syllables, "read" and "ing," each forming a part of the word that can be pronounced separately. This phonological building block is essential for determining the rhythm and stress patterns within a language.

Explanation

The word Accessible is correctly spelled with a double c and a double s, followed by the suffix -ible. It is derived from the Latin word accessibilis, coming from accedere which means to approach. In English, the suffix -ible is typically used for words of Latin origin to indicate that something is capable of being reached, entered, or used. The spelling requires both sets of double consonants to maintain the phonetic structure and historical etymology of the term.

Explanation

The word Camouflage originates from the French verb camoufler, which means to disguise or veil. In English, it retains this French spelling, specifically using the vowel combination o-u in the second syllable and ending with the suffix -age. It refers to the use of materials, colors, or lighting to conceal animals, people, or objects by making them blend into their environment.

Explanation

The passage highlights that while the critical faculty is a potent part of human activity that sounds dignified, its practical application often results in a skewed perspective. The author points out that this faculty seems to mean we can watch someone else's back better than our own, indicating a tendency to focus scrutiny outward. Furthermore, the text mentions that individuals are often unaware of their own defects and are quick to question the bonafides of anyone who points out unpleasant facts about them, reinforcing the idea that the critical faculty is predominantly used to judge and critique others rather than for self-assessment.

Explanation

The passage states that while people claim to want honest criticism on the surface, they do not truly mean it and often question the motives of those who provide unpleasant facts. The author's remark, I wish people would mean it, implies that their true desire is for compliments rather than the honesty they solicit.

Explanation

The passage describes the critical faculty as the most potent element of the human make-up because it encompasses several vital functions and characteristics. It explicitly mentions the pervasiveness and force of this faculty, noting that it is as much a part of human activity as breathing. Additionally, the text explains that the application of this faculty serves as the primary differentiator between an intelligent person and a simpleton, as the former uses it to subject all information to a searching scrutiny. It also highlights the social utility of the critical sense, stating it is essential for keeping social transactions in a warm state and facilitating the necessary give and take in life. Since the passage attributes all these qualities—power and pervasiveness, cognitive filtering, and social necessity—to the critical faculty, all the stated reasons contribute to its definition as the most potent human trait.

Explanation

The author draws a parallel between the critical faculty and breathing by stating that the former is so much a part and parcel of human activity that its significance often goes unrecognized. This comparison establishes that both are fundamental, constant processes naturally performed or exercised by human beings as part of their existence. Just as breathing is an essential and continuous human function, the author suggests that the critical faculty is an inherent tool used in navigating life and social transactions, making its exercise universal among humans.

Explanation

The passage specifies that the individual who considers himself intelligent defines his status by contrasting his behavior with that of a simpleton. According to the text, such a man believes the fundamental difference lies in the fact that a simpleton accepts everything he sees and hears wholeheartedly, whereas the intelligent man subjects everything to a searching scrutiny before admission. This definition is therefore built upon the clear divergence and distinction he perceives between his own analytical approach and the uncritical nature of the simpleton.

Explanation

In economic theory, factors of production are the inputs required for the creation of goods and services. The classical model identifies four primary factors: land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. Capital refers to the man-made resources used in the production process, such as machinery, equipment, tools, buildings, and technology. Unlike raw materials, capital is not immediately consumed in the production process but instead facilitates the transformation of other inputs into finished products. The provided text specifically identifies capital and labor as factors of production when discussing their mobility across borders in the context of international trade.

Explanation

In the context of international trade and economics, the term mobile refers to the capacity of factors of production, such as capital and labor, to be relocated from one geographical area or economic sector to another. The word moveable serves as a direct synonym because it describes the quality of being capable of being moved, shifted, or transported. When the text discusses factors being more mobile within a country than across countries, it is highlighting the relative ease of physical or legal movement within domestic boundaries compared to the barriers encountered during international transit. Therefore, moveable accurately captures the essence of this physical or situational fluidity.

Explanation

Industrialization acts as a fundamental catalyst for international trade by shifting an economy from localized, subsistence-based production to large-scale manufacturing. This process significantly increases the volume of goods produced, often resulting in a surplus that exceeds domestic demand and must be exported to foreign markets. Additionally, industrialization creates a heightened requirement for raw materials, energy, and specialized capital goods that may not be available within a single country, necessitating imports. This dual need for export markets and imported inputs deepens the economic interdependencies between nations, making industrialization a primary force in the expansion and rising importance of the global trade system.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that increasing international trade is crucial to the continuance of globalization. While the author mentions factors like industrialization, advances in technology, and multinational corporations as having a major impact on the international trade system, the specific functional relationship identified is that the persistence and growth of globalization depend on the expansion of international trade. The text presents trade as a fundamental engine that sustains the global interconnectedness described as globalization.

Explanation

International trade is typically more costly than domestic trade because it involves crossing national borders, which introduces several additional expenses. These costs include tariffs, customs duties, and taxes imposed by sovereign governments on imports and exports. Beyond fiscal barriers, international trade entails higher transportation and logistics expenses due to longer distances and the complexities of global shipping. Furthermore, trading across borders requires dealing with different currencies, leading to transaction costs for currency exchange and financial risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations. The necessity of complying with diverse legal systems, regulatory standards, and administrative procedures in different countries also increases the overall cost of doing business internationally compared to the relatively uniform environment of a domestic market.

Explanation

The error lies in the prepositional phrase in part (c). The standard idiomatic expression used to describe a sudden sensation of fear, dread, or cold is a chill/shiver down one's spine. In English, such physical sensations affecting the back are conventionally described as moving downward. Therefore, the preposition up is replaced by down to maintain the correct idiomatic form. Additionally, the segment ends with a comma instead of a full stop, which is grammatically incorrect for the conclusion of a sentence.

Explanation

The preposition to must be followed by pronouns in the objective case. While you is the same in both nominative and objective cases, I is a nominative pronoun. To correctly serve as the object of the preposition, I must be replaced by its objective form, me. Therefore, the phrase should properly read you and me.

Explanation

The verb required in this context is overflow, which means to flow over the brim or banks. The past participle of the verb flow is flowed, following the regular conjugation pattern of flow, flowed, and flowed. Consequently, the past participle of the compound verb overflow is overflowed. The form over flown is incorrect here because flown is the past participle of the verb fly (fly, flew, flown), which refers to movement through the air. Since a river flows rather than flies, the sentence must use the form overflowed.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct as written. The idiom "regarded as" is used correctly, and the superlative adjective "finest" is properly preceded by the definite article "the."