SSC CGL Tier 1 2014 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word humane refers to having or showing compassion, benevolence, or kindness, especially toward people or animals in distress. It describes a disposition characterized by tenderness, mercy, and concern for the well-being of others. Sympathetic is a direct synonym because it describes the quality of feeling or showing concern and understanding for someone else's suffering or difficult situation. Both terms emphasize the emotional capacity to relate to and care about the hardships faced by others, reflecting a gentle and kind nature.

Explanation

The error in this sentence is the use of the adjective historical instead of historic. While both words are derived from the same root, they carry distinct meanings in formal English. The word historic is used to describe an event, place, or thing that is famous or important in history, such as a monumental achievement or a significant encounter. Conversely, historical refers generally to anything related to the past or the study of history. Because the first meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt was a momentous and significant event in world history, the correct term to use is historic.

Explanation

The relative pronoun who is used specifically for persons. When referring to animals, insects, or inanimate objects, the correct relative pronoun to use is which or that. In this sentence, the ant is a non-human creature, so the phrase should be corrected to the ant that was nearby or the ant which was nearby to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Explanation

The error in the third part of the sentence is the use of a double negative. The phrase won't is a contraction of will not, which is already negative. Combining it with never creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English as two negatives cancel each other out. To correct the sentence, the negative adverb never should be replaced with ever, or the contraction won't should be changed to will. The correct construction should be you won't ever forget or you will never forget.

Explanation

The sentence contains a logical error in part (c) known as a faulty comparison. As written, it compares the dress that the girl wore directly to the other girls themselves, which is an illogical comparison between an object and people. For a sentence to be grammatically and logically sound, the comparison must be between similar entities. To rectify this, the sentence should compare the girl's dress to the dresses of the other girls. This is achieved by using the demonstrative pronoun that of to replace the singular noun dress, making the phrase more attractive than that of the other girls. Alternatively, using the possessive form more attractive than the other girls' would also correctly imply the comparison between the dresses.

Explanation

The error lies in the subject-verb agreement where the singular auxiliary verb has is incorrectly paired with the plural subject fifty years. When referring to the passage of time as a sequence of units that have elapsed, the plural form of the verb is required. Therefore, the phrase should be fifty years have passed to match the plural count of the noun years.

Explanation

The verb recommend is used to suggest that someone is suitable for a particular job, role, or purpose based on their qualities or previous performance. In the context of providing a reference or an endorsement, the phrase without qualifications is a formal expression meaning that the endorsement is given completely, without any reservations, conditions, or doubts. Therefore, to recommend someone without qualifications signifies a full and absolute guarantee of their capability and character.

Explanation

The verb let is a causative verb followed by an object and a bare infinitive or an adjective that describes the resulting state of the object. The expression let loose is a standard idiomatic phrase meaning to release or set free from restraint. In this context, loose describes the horse being unconfined and free to roam within the field.

Explanation

The phrase reach a compromise is a standard English collocation used to describe the process of arriving at an agreement where all parties involved make mutual concessions to resolve a dispute or make a collective decision. In the context of a formal meeting, participants often have differing viewpoints, and the objective is to find a middle ground that is acceptable to everyone. The verb reach is idiomatically paired with compromise to signify that a settlement or resolution has been successfully achieved through negotiation and discussion.

Explanation

The term competent denotes having the requisite skills, knowledge, and efficiency to perform a task or role effectively. In the context of the sentence, it serves as a complementary positive attribute to visionary, describing leaders who possess both the practical capability to govern and the foresight to plan for the future. The word choice emphasizes a high standard of leadership by pairing professional proficiency with imaginative insight, creating a logically sound and grammatically correct description of effective leaders.

Explanation

The word illusion refers to a deceptive appearance or a thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses. In philosophical and spiritual contexts, particularly in the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, the physical world is often characterized as an illusion or Maya, meaning it is transitory and lacks ultimate reality compared to the eternal truth. The sentence uses this specific philosophical framework to describe a common perspective where the material world is regarded as a deceptive or non-permanent construct.

Explanation

The word scintillating originates from the Latin scintillare, which means to spark. It is primarily used to describe something that is sparkling or shining brightly with flashes of light. Glittering is the most accurate synonym as it refers to something that shines with a shimmering or sparkling luster. Both terms share the literal meaning of emitting or reflecting a brilliant, flickering light. While scintillating can also be used figuratively to describe a witty or exceptionally clever conversation or performance, its fundamental definition remains centered on the physical quality of being radiant and sparkling.

Explanation

The word transient is used to describe something that is impermanent, lasting only for a very short period of time. It originates from the Latin transire, meaning to go across or pass by. Fleeting is a direct synonym that characterizes things that pass swiftly or vanish quickly, such as a moment, a thought, or a smile. Both terms convey the idea of brief duration and lack of permanence.

Explanation

The word voracious is derived from the Latin root vorare, which means to devour. It describes an individual or animal that has an insatiable appetite or is excessively eager to consume large quantities of something, such as food or information. This state of being extremely eager or having an uncontrolled desire is best expressed by the word greedy, which characterizes a person who has an intense and selfish desire for more than is needed. Both terms convey a sense of rapacity and a lack of restraint in pursuing or consuming what one desires.

Explanation

Virtue represents high moral excellence, righteousness, and goodness in human character or conduct. Its direct linguistic and ethical opposite is vice, which refers to immoral or wicked behavior, moral depravity, or a habitual failing in character. These two terms are classically paired as antonyms to describe the opposing ends of the moral spectrum.

Explanation

The word flexible refers to something that is pliable, capable of bending easily without breaking, or adaptable to changing circumstances. Its direct antonym is rigid, which describes something that is stiff, unyielding, and unable to be bent or forced out of shape. While flexible implies a state of being supple or versatile, rigid denotes a lack of flexibility or a fixed, unalterable nature in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Explanation

The word obscure refers to something that is not clearly expressed, difficult to understand, or hard to perceive. It describes situations or objects that are vague, dim, or hidden from view. The word clear serves as its direct antonym because it denotes something that is easy to see, hear, or understand. While obscure implies a lack of transparency or certainty, clear signifies distinctness, lucidity, and straightforwardness.

Explanation

Gerrymandering refers to the practice of manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class over others. The term originated in 1812 from the name of Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, who signed a bill that created a partisan district shaped like a salamander. In the context of delimitation, it describes a process where district lines are redrawn in a biased or distorted manner to achieve a specific political result, rather than following fair geographic or demographic principles. This makes the process fundamentally manipulative and unfair.

Explanation

The idiom bring the house down is a figurative expression used to describe a performance that is so successful or impressive that it evokes an extremely loud and enthusiastic response from the audience. In theatrical contexts, the house refers to the audience or the auditorium, and the phrase suggests that the sheer volume of applause or laughter is powerful enough to make the building shake or collapse. Therefore, when the lead actors brought the house down, they performed in a manner that moved the spectators to cheer and clap with great fervor.

Explanation

The idiom salt of the earth refers to an individual or a group of people who are considered to be of great worth because of their kindness, honesty, and natural simplicity. Originating from the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible, the phrase characterizes someone as being exceptionally good, trustworthy, and morally upright. It describes those who are reliable and represent the best qualities of humanity without being pretentious or sophisticated.

Explanation

The idiom Alpha and Omega refers to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolising the beginning and the end. In a broader sense, it represents the entire range or scope of something from start to finish. This phrase often implies the most essential part or the sum total of an entity or event. Its usage is deeply rooted in classical Greek and biblical literature, where it denotes totality, completeness, and eternity.

Explanation

The idiom pin money refers to a small amount of money, typically earned through part-time work or received as an allowance, intended for incidental or minor personal expenses rather than for major living costs. Historically, the term dates back to the 14th century when metal pins were expensive and women were provided with a specific sum to purchase them. Over time, as mass production made pins inexpensive, the phrase evolved to describe any small, supplementary income used for small personal needs or non-essential items.

Explanation

A caddy is the specific and most appropriate term used to describe a small container, box, or canister designed for holding loose tea leaves. The word is derived from the Malay unit of weight known as a kati, which represents approximately 1.3 pounds, the typical amount of tea found in such containers during the early tea trade era. In traditional English usage, a tea caddy is specifically intended to preserve the freshness and aroma of the tea leaves, often featuring a tight-fitting lid to protect the contents from moisture, light, and air. Using this term provides the precise nomenclature for tea storage vessels in standard English vocabulary.

Explanation

The sentence correctly employs the comparative degree to compare Shakespeare with all other members of the same category. In English grammar, when comparing a specific person or thing with other members of the same group using the comparative form, the word other must be used after any. This serves to exclude the subject being compared from the group it belongs to, ensuring a logical comparison. The construction greater than any other poet is the standard and grammatically accurate way to express that Shakespeare surpasses all other poets. If the word other were omitted, the sentence would imply that Shakespeare is greater than any poet, which would logically include himself. Therefore, the original sentence is perfectly structured.

Explanation

The relative pronoun serves as the subject of the verb lived in the relative clause, making who the grammatically correct choice. Whom is incorrect because it is an objective case pronoun, and you said functions as an intervening parenthetical expression.

Explanation

When a plural noun denotes a specific amount, quantity, distance, or sum of money and is regarded as a single collective unit or a whole, it takes a singular verb. In the given sentence, "A thousand rupees" refers to a specific total sum of money being desired rather than individual units. Consequently, the singular verb "is" is the grammatically correct choice to agree with the collective noun phrase.

Explanation

The Present Perfect tense is required in the main clause when the conjunction since is used to denote a period of time starting from a specific event in the past (he left for America) up to the present. The Present Perfect form have never heard correctly expresses the lack of an action or experience throughout this entire duration. In English grammar, verbs of perception or communication like hear are typically used in the simple perfect form rather than the continuous form when referring to a completed state or a total absence of an event over a period of time. Using the past participle heard with the auxiliary have correctly satisfies the temporal requirements of the sentence.

Explanation

The phrase easy to use is more idiomatic and precise than convenient when describing the operation of an electronic device like a camera. While convenient generally refers to something being suited to one's comfort or being easy to reach, easy to use specifically addresses the user-friendliness and simplicity of the device's interface and controls, making it the most appropriate descriptor in this context.

Explanation

The sentence follows the standard rules for question tags in English grammar. A question tag is formed using the auxiliary verb of the main clause and the subject pronoun. When the main statement is affirmative, the question tag must be negative. In the sentence "You are a mechanic", the auxiliary verb is "are" and the subject is "you". Consequently, the appropriate tag is the negative contraction "aren't" followed by the pronoun "you". As the original sentence correctly employs "aren't you?", it is grammatically accurate.

Explanation

The verb achieve is the idiomatic choice when referring to the attainment of a state like perfection, as it suggests the result of dedicated effort and skill. Grammatically, the use of the Present Perfect tense (have achieved) in the temporal clause introduced by till is correct for expressing a completed action within a general truth or habitual statement. This tense structure ensures proper coordination with the Present Indefinite verb do not rest in the principal clause, signifying that the cessation of work only happens once the goal has been successfully accomplished.

Explanation

The verb began is a more concise and direct way to express the start of an event in the past. In standard English usage, a strong active verb is preferred over a wordy or periphrastic construction like had its beginning. Since the sentence refers to a specific point in time in the past indicated by the phrase more than fifty years ago, the simple past tense began provides the most natural and grammatically efficient structure to convey that the tale started at that time.

Explanation

The verb alight is the formal and precise term used to describe the action of descending or getting off a vehicle, such as a bus, train, or carriage. In the context of public transportation, alighted from is the most appropriate and idiomatic expression for dismounting from a conveyance, providing a higher level of grammatical correctness and formality than the colloquial phrase got down.

Explanation

An apprentice is an individual who enters into a legal agreement to work for a skilled employer for a fixed duration to acquire the specific skills and technical knowledge required for a particular trade or profession. This system of training emphasizes hands-on learning and practical experience under the supervision of a master or expert, distinguishing it from general employment through its primary focus on vocational education and the attainment of professional competency within a set timeframe.

Explanation

The term obsolete refers to something that is no longer produced or used, having been replaced by something newer or better. It specifically describes words, customs, or technologies that have completely fallen out of practice or currency. When a word or practice reaches this state, it is no longer considered functional or relevant in contemporary society, effectively becoming a relic of the past.

Explanation

Nepotism is the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs or unfair advantages in professional and political fields. The term originates from the Italian word nepotismo, which is rooted in the Latin nepos, meaning nephew. This historically referred to the practice of high-ranking church officials and popes appointing family members to lucrative positions, but it is now applied broadly to any situation where kinship is prioritized over merit in business or governance.

Explanation

A numismatist is a person who engages in the study or collection of currency, which includes coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects like medals. The term is derived from the Greek word nomisma, meaning coin or currency. This discipline involves not only the physical accumulation of items but also the research of their historical, geographical, and economic contexts across different civilizations.

Explanation

A codicil is a legal document that serves as a supplement to an existing will. Its primary purpose is to make specific changes, additions, or deletions to the original testamentary document without the necessity of rewriting the entire will from scratch. To be legally valid, a codicil must generally be executed with the same formal requirements as the will itself, including being signed by the testator and attested by witnesses.

Explanation

Appraisal refers to the act of assessing something or someone, specifically to determine its value, quality, or importance. In financial and professional contexts, it is the standard term for a formal evaluation or estimation of the market value or worth of an asset, property, or individual performance.

Explanation

Exonerate is a formal verb that means to officially absolve someone from blame, fault, or wrongdoing, especially after a formal investigation or trial. Derived from the Latin exonerat, meaning unloaded or freed from a burden, the term specifically describes the legal or social process of being cleared of an accusation or charge once evidence proves innocence. It implies a complete removal of any imputation of guilt, restoring the individual's record or reputation to a state of being blameless regarding the specific incident in question.

Explanation

Silhouette is spelled s-i-l-h-o-u-e-t-t-e, following its origin as an eponym of the 18th-century French finance minister Etienne de Silhouette. The spelling adheres to French orthography, which includes a silent h after the first syllable and a double t in the suffix ette. This term is defined as the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a brighter background.

Explanation

Kleptomaniac is the correct spelling for the term used to describe a person who suffers from an irresistible and repetitive urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit. The word is derived from the Greek words kleptes, meaning thief, and mania, meaning madness or frenzy. In English, it follows the standard prefix klepto- used in psychiatric terms related to theft and the suffix -maniac to denote a person with a specific obsession.

Explanation

The term perennial is derived from the Latin roots per, meaning through, and annus, meaning year. In a geographical and hydrological context, a perennial river or stream is one that has a continuous flow of water in its bed throughout the entire year. This constant flow is maintained because the river is fed by permanent sources such as melting snow and glaciers from high mountain ranges or a steady supply of groundwater from springs. In India, rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra are classic examples of perennial rivers as they receive water from both seasonal rainfall and the melting of Himalayan glaciers, ensuring they do not run dry even during the peak of the summer or dry seasons.

Explanation

According to the provided passage, large parts of India have suffered since olden times from occasional periods of too much rain and those of drought. The text explains that because India is primarily an agricultural land dependent on a steady water supply, the lack of knowledge and means to store surplus flood water for use during dry seasons led to these recurring climatic hardships. While early efforts like digging canals and building small dams were made, they were insufficient to address these extreme weather patterns on a countrywide scale.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that although people understood the potential of storing surplus flood water to solve the problems of drought and erratic rainfall, they were unable to implement effective solutions because they had neither the knowledge nor the means to do much in this direction. While they attempted small-scale interventions such as digging canals from perennial rivers, excavating large tanks, and building small dams, these efforts were limited by their technical understanding and the resources available to them, making countrywide implementation impossible at the time.

Explanation

The word excavated is derived from the Latin term excavare, which means to hollow out. In the context of the passage, it refers to the process of removing earth or soil from the ground to create a cavity or large reservoir. This act of digging is a fundamental construction technique used to create storage spaces like tanks and pits that can hold water for irrigation and flood control.

Explanation

The provided passage begins with the explicit statement that India is chiefly an agricultural land. The subsequent text reinforces this by focusing entirely on the challenges of crop cultivation, such as the dependency on water supply and the historical efforts to manage irrigation through canals, tanks, and dams. Because the passage identifies the land's primary character as agricultural and discusses the economy in the context of farming and water management for crops, agriculture is the central economic foundation described.

Explanation

Sensory memory serves as the initial, momentary recording of vast amounts of environmental data received through the senses. According to the passage, these memories are fleeting and occur without any conscious effort. Because this stage of memory has an extremely brief duration—often lasting only a fraction of a second—the information is not retained by the brain unless it is specifically targeted by conscious attention. If an individual does not focus on the sensory input to transfer it into the next memory level, such as working or short-term memory, the information is quickly discarded and disappears completely to allow the brain to process new incoming stimuli.

Explanation

The text states that sensory memory is automatic and fleeting, registering everything in one's vision without effort. To retain this information for a longer duration and move it to the short-term memory level, the passage explicitly mentions that a person must pay conscious attention to the sensory input being received. This conscious attentiveness acts as the necessary mechanism to bridge the gap between initial sensory perception and the working memory stage, enabling the brain to hold and use the information for immediate tasks like holding a conversation or writing down an appointment.

Explanation

According to the passage, short-term memory lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes and plays a vital role in daily activities. The text specifically mentions that it allows us to perform tasks such as writing down a doctor's appointment, making everyday decisions, or maintaining a conversation by recalling what was just said. This indicates that short-term memory is used for processing and holding onto immediate, simple information required for routine functions.

Explanation

The passage defines long-term memory as the system used when information needs to be kept for extended periods, such as days, months, or even years. It explicitly states that with long-term memory, the potential exists to remember something forever. This distinguishes it from sensory memory and short-term memory, which only hold information for a few seconds to a few minutes. Therefore, the primary function of long-term memory is the preservation of information over a significant duration.