SSC CGL Tier 1 2016 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the word few in part C. The adjective urgent describes a situation that requires immediate action and cannot be postponed. The phrasal verb admit of means to permit or leave room for. In standard English usage, especially when referring to urgent matters, the idiomatic expression is admit of no delay. Using few implies that a small number of delays are acceptable, which creates a logical contradiction with the word urgent. Therefore, few must be replaced by no to correctly convey that the matter allows for no postponement at all.

Explanation

The error lies in the third part of the sentence where the indefinite article an is used before the plural noun bells. Grammatically, the indefinite article a or an must only precede singular countable nouns. To correct this construction, one should either remove the article to say like alarm bells or change the noun to its singular form to say like an alarm bell.

Explanation

The phrasal verb back out means to withdraw from a commitment, promise, or agreement after it has already been made. In the context of signing a contract, it signifies the act of deciding not to follow through with the established legal or formal obligations. Therefore, the sentence implies that once the contract is signed, the individual is legally bound and cannot retract their participation or cancel the agreement without consequences.

Explanation

The verb attract is used in this context to mean drawing or pulling in the reader's interest. In writing and composition, the primary function of an introductory or opening paragraph is to engage the audience immediately. To attract someone's attention is a standard idiomatic expression meaning to make someone notice or become interested in something. By using a hook or a compelling statement at the start of a piece, a writer ensures that the reader remains focused and motivated to continue reading the rest of the work.

Explanation

The phrasal verb talk over means to discuss a matter or a problem thoroughly, especially in order to reach a decision or understanding. In the given sentence, the speaker and the person they visited engaged in a detailed discussion regarding a specific topic or issue during their meeting last evening. This usage correctly indicates the act of deliberating on the matter at hand.

Explanation

The idiom a man of letters refers to a person who is highly educated and possesses extensive knowledge in literature, philosophy, and the arts. Such an individual is recognized for their intellectual pursuits and scholarly contributions, often being an author, literary critic, or academic. The term emphasizes the person's erudition and deep involvement in the world of writing and cultural scholarship.

Explanation

The idiom under a cloud is used to describe a person who is feeling sad, depressed, or unhappy. It is a figurative expression where the cloud represents a metaphorical shadow over one's mood or spirit. Similar to how a cloudy day is often associated with gloominess and a lack of light, an individual described as being under a cloud is perceived to be in a melancholy or sorrowful state, lacking their usual joy or brightness.

Explanation

The idiom bear in mind is a standard English expression that functions as a synonym for the verb remember. It suggests that a person should keep a particular fact or piece of information in their memory, often so that it can be taken into consideration when making a decision or performing a task. In both professional and everyday communication, telling someone to bear something in mind is a way of reminding them to be mindful of specific details, circumstances, or constraints.

Explanation

The term foreman refers to a person who exercises control and supervision over a group of laborers or workmen, typically in a construction site, factory, or mechanical shop. This individual acts as the primary supervisor, coordinating tasks, maintaining safety standards, and ensuring that the project or production goals are met by the team under their leadership.

Explanation

A feud is a state of prolonged and bitter hostility between two families, clans, or groups, often characterized by a cycle of retaliatory acts and mutual revenge. These disputes typically persist for a long period, sometimes spanning multiple generations, as each side seeks to settle perceived wrongs or historical grievances. This specific type of enduring familial conflict is the defining characteristic of a feud.

Explanation

Invertebrates is the scientific term used to classify all animals that do not possess or develop a vertebral column, which is commonly referred to as a backbone or spine. The word originates from the Latin prefix in- meaning not and vertebratus meaning provided with joints or vertebrae. This group is extremely diverse and accounts for approximately 97 percent of all animal species on Earth, ranging from microscopic organisms to giant squids. Because they lack an internal bony skeleton, many invertebrates have evolved alternative support structures such as hard exoskeletons or hydrostatic skeletons to maintain their body shape and protect their internal organs.

Explanation

The modal verb can and the phrase be able to both express ability or capacity. Using them together in the same clause creates a grammatical redundancy known as a tautology. In standard English, the modal verb can is followed directly by the subject and the base form of the main verb to form a question or request. By removing the redundant be able to, the sentence Can you please tone down your excitement? becomes grammatically concise and correct while properly conveying the request for the listener to moderate their behavior.

Explanation

The sentence is a famous literary quotation from William Shakespeare's play Henry IV, Part 2. The original and idiomatic form of this proverb uses the relative pronoun that to introduce the restrictive clause defining the specific head being discussed. In English grammar and traditional literature, that is the standard choice for defining or restrictive relative clauses that are essential to the meaning of the noun they follow. This specific phrasing has become a fixed expression in the English language, making that the grammatically and contextually appropriate choice for the proverb.

Explanation

The expression bursting at the seams is a standard English idiom used to describe a place or object that is so full it can barely contain its contents. The phrase draws an analogy to a piece of clothing that is too small for the person wearing it, causing the fabric to pull and potentially break at the stitched joints or seams. In this sentence, it is used figuratively to convey that the cities are extremely overcrowded with people. The idiom strictly requires the preposition at and the definite article the to be grammatically and idiomatically correct.

Explanation

The construction all of you is the standard formal English structure used when the quantifier all modifies a personal pronoun acting as the object of a preposition. In this sentence, the preposition to requires an objective phrase, and using all of before the pronoun you follows the established grammatical rule for collective address in written and formal communication. This phrasing provides greater clarity and syntactic precision compared to more colloquial or dialect-specific variations.

Explanation

The adjective gullible specifically describes a person who is easily persuaded to believe something and is therefore easily tricked or cheated. Since the sentence defines the individual as someone who is easily taken-in and deceived by others, gullible provides the most precise and contextually appropriate description for such a personality trait.

Explanation

The passage focuses on the finite nature of current energy sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas, highlighting their projected depletion within specific timeframes like 42, 61, and 133 years respectively. It explicitly warns of a forthcoming worldwide energy crisis characterized by scarcity and rising costs. The narrative centers on the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy sources to mitigate the severe difficulties of this dawning era of limited supply and to ensure the survival of the human species. By emphasizing the unavoidable shortage and the critical need for planning and anticipation, the text identifies the impending threat as its central theme.

Explanation

According to the provided passage, biomass is utilized as an energy source specifically for the purposes of heating and cooking. These activities are primary functions carried out within residential settings, making homes the specific area of use for this energy source as described in the text. Unlike coal or oil, which are highlighted for electricity generation and powering machinery, biomass fulfills domestic needs related to food preparation and temperature control.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the word ubiquitous is used to describe oil-powered machines to emphasize that they are found everywhere in modern civilization, from transporting food to powering airplanes across oceans. The term is derived from the Latin word ubique, meaning everywhere. Therefore, it is a direct synonym for omnipresent, which describes something that is present in all places at the same time or is widely and constantly encountered. Both terms highlight the pervasive and all-encompassing nature of oil-dependent technology in the current era.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that wind and solar power are the future's hope because they are sustainable energy sources. While the current global energy infrastructure is heavily reliant on fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas, the text highlights that these resources are finite and depleting, with oil estimated to last only 42 years. To prevent a worldwide energy crisis and ensure the continued survival of the human species, a transition to sustainable alternatives is necessary. Wind and solar power are identified as the key components of this transition due to their longevity and sustainability compared to the dwindling supplies of traditional energy sources.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that if we are to survive on this planet, we have to make a transition to sustainable energy sources. It highlights that current primary energy supplies—oil, coal, and natural gas—are finite and depleting, with oil estimated to last only 42 years and other fossil fuels following shortly after. Because these resources are non-renewable, their scarcity will inevitably lead to a global energy crisis. Therefore, the survival of the human species depends on moving away from these limited resources toward sustainable alternatives to ensure long-term energy security and avoid extinction.

Explanation

Contraband refers to goods that are prohibited by law from being imported or exported, or items that are traded illegally. This term is most commonly applied to merchandise that is brought into a country in violation of customs regulations or state bans. Smuggled serves as the best synonym because it describes the act of moving goods secretly and illegally, particularly across borders, to bypass legal restrictions or taxes. Both words focus on the illegal nature of the trade and the prohibited status of the goods involved.

Explanation

The word lenient refers to an individual or a policy that is indulgent, merciful, or tolerant, often showing a lack of severity in discipline or punishment. In contrast, the word strict denotes a person or a standard that is stern, rigorous, and demands precise obedience to rules or codes of conduct. Because one describes a relaxed approach to authority and the other describes a firm, uncompromising approach, they are direct antonyms.

Explanation

The word nonplussed describes a mental state of being so surprised, confused, or taken aback that one is at a loss for what to say or do. It is derived from the Latin phrase non plus, which means no more, signifying that a person has reached a point of complete bewilderment where they cannot process the situation further. Consequently, it is used to denote a person who is thoroughly perplexed or puzzled by an unexpected event or statement.

Explanation

A visionary is a person with original and often impractical ideas about the future, characterized by a tendency to be a dreamer or to focus on idealistic possibilities rather than current facts. In contrast, a realist is someone who recognizes and accepts the world as it actually is, making decisions based on practicalities, existing conditions, and tangible evidence. Therefore, the term realist serves as the direct antonym because it prioritizes objective reality and feasibility over speculative or abstract concepts.

Explanation

The word Disorientation is the standard English spelling for the state of being confused or losing one's sense of direction. It is constructed from the prefix dis-, which signifies the reversal or removal of a state, and the noun orientation, which relates to the positioning of oneself in relation to surroundings. The combination follows established morphological rules where the prefix dis- is attached to the root word to indicate the opposite condition. This term is widely used in both general and medical contexts to describe the loss of awareness regarding time, place, or identity. The spelling adheres to the phonetic and morphological conventions of the English language, combining the prefix with the noun form suffix -ation to create a word that signifies the state of being disoriented.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct and employs the idiomatic expression if I can help it properly. This fixed phrase is used after a negative statement to mean if I can avoid it or if I have any choice in the matter. The structure conveys the speaker's strong intention to leave immediately unless it is absolutely impossible to do so. The verb tense and the duration phrase another minute are used correctly according to standard English conventions.

Explanation

Part B contains a grammatical error where the word is is used instead of the possessive adjective his. In this sentence, the shirt is a noun belonging to the subject, Roger, which requires a possessive modifier to indicate ownership. The word is is a linking verb and cannot be used to show possession. Replacing is with his correctly establishes the relationship between Roger and his attire.

Explanation

The word Scarcity is the correctly spelled term, originating from the Old French word escarceté. It is a noun used to describe a state of being in short supply or the condition of having insufficient resources to satisfy requirements. In the English language, the word follows the phonetic structure where the root scarce is combined with the suffix ity, with the middle c maintaining its soft sound followed by the vowel i.

Explanation

The phrase look forward to is a phrasal verb where to functions as a preposition rather than a part of an infinitive. In English grammar, a preposition must be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund (the -ing form of a verb). Consequently, the verb meet must be changed to the gerund meeting to be grammatically correct. The structure requires they are looking forward to meeting their parents.

Explanation

The word devoid is an adjective that means entirely lacking or being without a particular quality. In English grammar, devoid is always followed by the fixed preposition of to form a phrasal adjective. Therefore, the phrase devoid of common sense is the idiomatically correct way to express that someone lacks basic practical judgment. The combination of devoid and of is a standard colocation required for the sentence to be grammatically sound and meaningful.

Explanation

The sentence follows the correlative conjunction pattern so... that, which is used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship or the degree of an action leading to a specific result. In this structure, so modifies the adverb fast to show intensity, while that introduces the subordinate clause describing the consequence of that intensity. Because the principal verb ran is in the simple past tense, the result clause must maintain tense consistency by using the past tense verb fell.

Explanation

The verb called is the past participle used in the present perfect passive voice construction has been called. In this context, to call means to summon or request the presence of someone for a specific purpose or professional duty. When used in relation to a doctor, it indicates that an official request has been made for the doctor to provide medical care or attention. The structure has been called followed by the infinitive phrase to attend identifies the doctor as the recipient of a summons to perform their medical functions for an emergency case.

Explanation

The idiom to nip in the bud originates from the practice of gardening, where nipping or cutting off a bud prevents it from blooming or growing further. Figuratively, it means to stop or suppress a problem, a bad habit, or a situation in its earliest stages before it has the opportunity to develop into something more serious, complex, or difficult to manage. Addressing an issue at its very beginning ensures that it does not escalate into a larger concern.

Explanation

The idiom to put a spoke in one's wheel originates from the practice of inserting a rod or bar into the spokes of a moving wheel to lock it and stop the vehicle's progress. Figuratively, it means to deliberately obstruct, impede, or thwart someone's plans or intentions. By creating an obstacle that prevents a process from moving forward smoothly, one effectively hinders the progress or success of another person's efforts.

Explanation

The idiom to clip one's wings is a metaphorical expression derived from the physical act of trimming a bird's flight feathers to prevent it from flying away. In a figurative sense, it means to restrict someone's freedom, limit their ambitions, or diminish their authority. When you clip someone's wings, you are preventing them from acting independently or reaching their full potential, effectively depriving them of the power or influence they previously held.

Explanation

The term journey refers specifically to the act or process of traveling from one location to another. It describes the movement over a distance, whether by foot or by vehicle, and encompasses the entire trip from the starting point to the destination. In English vocabulary, it is the standard noun used to denote the experience and duration of such travel.

Explanation

Obsolete refers to something that is no longer in use because it has been replaced by a more advanced or modern version. It is used to describe technologies, words, or customs that have become out of date and have lost their functional relevance in the present time. When a product or idea becomes outmoded and is no longer produced or utilized, it is termed obsolete. This state of being replaced by progress is the defining characteristic of the word.

Explanation

Embezzlement is the specific legal term for the fraudulent appropriation of money or property by someone to whom those assets have been entrusted. It involves a person who has lawful possession of or access to the assets—such as an employee, a trustee, or a public official—misusing or secretly taking them for their own benefit. This breach of fiduciary duty or trust is the defining characteristic of the act, as the perpetrator utilizes their position of authority to divert funds from their intended purpose to personal use.

Explanation

The phrase very kind enough is grammatically redundant because both very and enough serve as intensifiers for the adjective kind. The correct construction should be either very kind to invite me or kind enough to invite me.

Explanation

The verb congratulate is idiomatically followed by the preposition on when specifying the achievement or event being celebrated. The standard grammatical structure for expressing this sentiment is congratulate someone on something. Using on identifies the specific basis for the praise, making it the correct choice for indicating the student's success in the examination.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the phrase I am sorry, which establishes the context in the simple present tense. The verb believe is a stative verb that describes a mental state or opinion. In English grammar, stative verbs expressing cognition or belief are typically used in the simple present tense to reflect the speaker's current attitude or conviction. Since the speaker is expressing a present lack of conviction regarding the story they have just heard, the simple present do not believe is the most appropriate and idiomatic choice to describe this immediate state of mind.

Explanation

The verb stop is followed directly by a gerund when it indicates that an action or activity has ceased. In this sentence, the builders have ended the activity of building, so the direct object of the verb should be the gerund constructing. The use of the preposition from is reserved for instances where stop means to prevent someone or something else from performing an action.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression cut a sorry figure means to present oneself in an unfavorable or poor light, or to make a weak and unimpressive appearance. In this context, since the person had not practised his lines, his performance on stage was predictably poor or embarrassing, making this specific idiom the most appropriate choice to describe his situation.

Explanation

The sentence follows the grammatical structure of the third conditional, which is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past and its probable past result. The standard construction for the third conditional is: If + past perfect (had + V3), ... would have + past participle (V3). Since the conditional clause "if you had asked him" uses the past perfect tense, the main clause must use "would have" followed by the past participle "given". The inclusion of "have" is essential here to form the perfect conditional required by the sentence structure.

Explanation

The passage identifies the success of ants based on their evolutionary longevity and their extensive geographical distribution. It explicitly states that ants have inhabited the Earth for more than 100 million years, demonstrating a remarkable ability to survive through various geological eras. Furthermore, the text notes that ants can be found almost anywhere on the planet, indicating a high level of adaptability to diverse environments and climates. The author directly links these two specific factors—their long history of survival and their ubiquitous presence across the globe—as the primary reasons why they are considered the most successful species on Earth.

Explanation

The provided passage explicitly states that ants communicate with each other effectively and identifies the specific method for this interaction. It mentions that ants communicate by touching each other with their antennae. This physical contact allows them to exchange information and maintain the social coordination necessary for the functioning of the colony.

Explanation

The passage specifies that Western Harvester ants create a small mound on the surface but also dig tunnels that can extend up to 15 feet straight down. These deep tunnels are utilized by the ants to hibernate throughout the winter period.

Explanation

According to the text provided, army ants are distinct from other ant species because they do not construct a physical home or permanent mound. Instead, they remain mobile, traveling in large groups to search for food sources rather than maintaining a fixed nest for habitation.

Explanation

According to the provided text, male ants in an ant colony have a very specific and singular role. The passage states that the male ants only serve one purpose, which is to mate with future queen ants. Furthermore, the text notes that these males do not live very long after fulfilling this reproductive function, contrasting their brief existence and specific task with the long-term roles of the queen and the female worker ants.