SSC CGL Tier 1 2016 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is the distributive pronoun each, which is grammatically singular. When the subject is each followed by a prepositional phrase starting with of, the verb must agree with the singular pronoun each rather than the plural object of the preposition. Consequently, the plural auxiliary verb have is incorrect and must be replaced by the singular form has to maintain proper subject-verb agreement. The singular possessive adjective her in the latter part of the sentence correctly aligns with this singular subject.

Explanation

The error lies in part (A) because the pronoun me is in the objective case, whereas the subject of a sentence must be in the nominative or subjective case. When a pronoun is part of a compound subject, it must remain in the subjective form, which is I. Additionally, standard grammatical etiquette follows the 2-3-1 rule, where the first-person pronoun is placed last in a sequence of subjects to show politeness. Therefore, the phrase should be corrected to My wife and I to satisfy both the case requirement and the proper order of pronouns.

Explanation

The error in part (B) arises from the use of the quantifier many with the uncountable noun planning. In English grammar, many is strictly reserved for plural countable nouns, such as books, ideas, or students. For uncountable nouns that describe abstract concepts, processes, or masses, the quantifier much must be used instead. Since planning refers to a singular abstract process, the phrase should correctly be much planning or a lot of planning to denote a large amount.

Explanation

The idiom caught red-handed means to be apprehended at the exact moment a crime or a wrongful act is being committed. It implies that the person is caught with clear and immediate evidence of their guilt, leaving no room for denial. Historically, the phrase originated from old legal terms where a person caught with blood on their hands after a crime like poaching or murder was described as being caught with red hand, signifying they were discovered in the middle of the act. In modern usage, it is applied broadly to any situation where someone is surprised while doing something they are not supposed to be doing.

Explanation

A gate crasher is a person who attends a social event, party, or public gathering without having an invitation or without paying the required entry fee. The term originated in the early 20th century to describe individuals who entered events through unauthorized means, essentially crashing through the metaphorical or literal gates of a venue to gain access.

Explanation

The idiom to angle means to fish with a rod and line. It is derived from the Old English word angel, which refers to a fishhook. While it specifically denotes the use of a hook and line rather than other methods, it is generally used as a synonym for the act of fishing.

Explanation

Nepotism refers to the practice where individuals in positions of authority use their influence to provide unfair advantages, jobs, or promotions to their family members. The word is derived from the Italian nepotismo, which traces back to the Latin nepos, meaning nephew. This term historically described the practice of popes and other church officials appointing their nephews to important offices to maintain family power and wealth. In modern usage, it describes any situation where a person in power favors kin over other qualified candidates based on their relationship rather than merit.

Explanation

Circumlocution is a linguistic term derived from the Latin words circum, meaning around, and loqui, meaning to speak. It refers to the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express a single idea or to describe something indirectly. This roundabout method of expression is often employed to avoid being direct, to remain vague, or to satisfy the requirements of a particular formal style. It literally represents the act of speaking in circles rather than addressing a subject directly.

Explanation

The term juvenile is used to describe something that is specifically intended for, or suited to, young people who have not yet reached adulthood. It is frequently applied in contexts such as juvenile literature, which refers to books written for children and adolescents, or in legal frameworks like juvenile justice, which deals with individuals below the legal age of majority. The word directly denotes suitability for the youth demographic.

Explanation

The word incomparable is an adjective that describes something as being beyond comparison or matchless due to its unique nature. In the given sentence, the premise is that each self is unique, meaning it is one of a kind. Using the single adjective incomparable is more precise and stylistically superior to the phrase cannot be compared, as it directly attributes the quality of being beyond comparison to the subject. This substitution creates a more concise and formally structured sentence where the uniqueness of the self leads logically to its status as being incomparable.

Explanation

The preposition beside is used to indicate a physical position at the side of or next to something or someone. In the context of seating arrangements at a concert, it correctly describes the act of sitting in the space immediately adjacent to another person. Using beside as a preposition of place clarifies that the speaker wishes to be at the side of the person being addressed. It is distinct from the word besides, which is used to mean in addition to or apart from. Thus, beside is the most appropriate replacement to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and logically clear.

Explanation

The phrase No other... than is a standard idiomatic construction used to specify that the person or thing mentioned is the only one applicable in the context. In this sentence, it serves to identify poverty as the exclusive reason being discussed for hampering India's progress. The word other functions as an adjective modifying the noun reason, while no acts as a negative determiner. This grammatical structure is required to pair correctly with the comparative conjunction than to form a logical and idiomatic comparison.

Explanation

The sentence uses the present perfect tense, which follows the grammatical structure of Subject + has/have + past participle (V₃). The principal parts of the irregular verb are take (present), took (past), and taken (past participle). Because the auxiliary verb has precedes the action, it must be followed by the V₃ form taken. The idiomatic expression to take root means to become settled or established, and in this context, it correctly describes a custom that has become a permanent part of the society.

Explanation

The phrasal verb look after means to take care of someone or something and ensure that they are safe and well. It is the idiomatic standard for describing the responsibility of supervising children or dependents in a domestic setting. In the context of this sentence, it precisely expresses the act of providing care and attention to the children while their parents are travelling or away from home.

Explanation

The word disconsolate describes a state of being deeply unhappy, gloomy, or unable to be comforted, typically resulting from a significant loss such as the death of a loved one mentioned in the text. In contrast, exuberant refers to a state of being filled with energy, excitement, and cheerful joy. Because exuberant represents a high-spirited and lively emotional condition, it serves as the direct antonym to the hopeless and sorrowful state of being disconsolate.

Explanation

According to the narrative, whenever David found no one at home during his visits, he left a chunk of dirt on his grandmother's porch. The text specifies that this physical object served as the sign she would spot to instantly know he had been by. This practice began when he first left the dirt on her porch, and it became a recurring habit that functioned as a signal of his presence.

Explanation

The passage specifies that the grandmother had a poor upbringing during her time in Italy, which describes her early life status. It then states that she managed to do well after moving to the United States, signifying that she attained financial success and lived a fulfilling, prosperous life in her later years.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that although the grandmother had a poor upbringing in Italy, she managed to do well in the United States. It further characterizes her life by noting that she was always healthy and independent and enjoyed a fulfilling life. The combination of doing well and being healthy directly supports the conclusion that she enjoyed a life that was both good and healthy.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that everyone was saddened by the grandmother's death. This collective group necessarily includes David, who shared a very close bond with her throughout his life. The text further emphasizes David's emotional state by describing him as disconsolate, a term that denotes being deeply unhappy and unable to be comforted, which is a severe form of sadness. Therefore, the phrase everyone was saddened encompasses all individuals mentioned, including David.

Explanation

The word copious is an adjective used to describe something that exists in large amounts or is abundant in supply. It is derived from the Latin word copia, which means plenty. In English usage, it typically refers to a profuse quantity of something, such as information, crops, or liquids. Consequently, plentiful serves as the most accurate synonym because it directly conveys the idea of having an ample or more than sufficient supply of a particular resource.

Explanation

The word extraneous describes something that is irrelevant, unrelated, or non-essential to the matter at hand. It refers to information or elements that are external and do not belong to the core of a subject. In contrast, the word relevant means closely connected, appropriate, or pertinent to the topic being considered. Because extraneous signifies a lack of connection or importance to a specific context while relevant signifies a direct and meaningful connection, they are antonyms.

Explanation

The word discrepancy is correctly spelled with an e in the second syllable and an a in the third syllable. It is derived from the Latin word discrepantia, meaning discordance or disagreement. The term is commonly used in administrative, financial, and scientific contexts to denote an inconsistency or a failure to match between two or more facts, claims, or numerical values. Its structure consists of the prefix dis-, the root crep-, and the noun suffix -ancy.

Explanation

The superlative degree the largest should be followed by the prepositional phrase of all when comparing a subject to a plural group. The quantifier any is typically reserved for comparative structures, such as larger than any other, or for use with singular nouns. Since the sentence refers to the plural group English dailies, the word any in part B is grammatically inconsistent with the superlative form and must be replaced by all to ensure the comparison is logically and grammatically sound.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is the singular noun phrase A period, which requires a singular verb. The phrase of six years acts as a prepositional modifier and does not influence the number of the subject. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject must be paired with a singular verb. Therefore, the plural auxiliary verb have should be replaced with the singular form has to correctly match the head noun period.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically sound as it correctly employs the Present Perfect Continuous tense. The phrase "For several years now" indicates a duration of time that began in the past and continues into the present, which requires the use of "has been spelling." The singular subject "my newspaper agent" is properly paired with the singular auxiliary verb "has." The adverbial construction at the end of the sentence appropriately modifies the verb to describe the manner of the action. All elements, including subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and prepositional usage, are used accurately.

Explanation

The word because is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a clause that provides a reason or explanation. In the sentence structure provided, the first part establishes that a specific cause is being discussed (One of the reasons...), and the latter part (their colours were too bright) is a complete clause containing a subject and a verb. Because effectively links the main statement to the explanatory clause, clarifying the relationship between the scandal caused by the impressionists and the vividness of their palette. This usage follows the standard grammatical pattern of identifying a cause and then providing the specific detail that accounts for it.

Explanation

Modal auxiliary verbs such as must, can, should, and will are always followed by the base form of the verb, also known as the bare infinitive. In English grammar, when a modal is used with the perfect aspect to express a logical necessity or probability, the auxiliary verb following the modal must be have. This rule applies regardless of the subject; even with third-person singular subjects like she, he, or it, the form has cannot be used directly after a modal. The structure must have wanted correctly provides the required bare infinitive have followed by the past participle wanted to complete the verb phrase.

Explanation

The verb lend is used to describe the action of a financial institution providing money to a borrower with the expectation that it will be paid back later. In this sentence, the bank is the subject performing the action for its reliable clients. The term fits the context of a credit-based transaction where the bank acts as the creditor. Reliability of the clients is the primary reason for the bank's willingness to provide the funds, making lend the grammatically and contextually accurate choice to follow the infinitive marker to.

Explanation

The idiom smooth ruffled feathers is a metaphorical expression derived from the observation of birds, which often puff out or ruffle their feathers when they are agitated, angry, or threatened. In figurative usage, it refers to the act of pacifying or calming someone who has become annoyed, irritated, or offended. It typically involves using tact, diplomacy, or conciliatory gestures to soothe hurt feelings and restore a sense of peace and harmony after a disagreement or an unpleasant interaction.

Explanation

The idiom to assume airs, also commonly phrased as to put on airs, means to act in a pretentious or haughty manner to appear more important, wealthy, or socially superior than one actually is. It describes an affected way of behaving where an individual adopts a snobbish attitude to impress others or to assert a higher status, thereby pretending superiority.

Explanation

The idiom play truant refers to the act of staying away from school, work, or any assigned responsibility without permission or a valid excuse. It is most frequently used in an educational context to describe a student who skips classes, but it extends more broadly to anyone who shirks their obligations or stays away from duty without authorization.

Explanation

A psychologist is a professional who specializes in the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. This field of study focuses on understanding mental processes, emotional responses, and the underlying cognitive mechanisms that influence how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Through various research methods and clinical observations, psychologists analyze the internal workings of thought and personality to explain why people act and feel the way they do.

Explanation

Barracks refers to a large building or group of buildings specifically constructed to provide accommodation for soldiers. These facilities are designed for military personnel to live in, typically featuring dormitory-style sleeping quarters, and are located within a military base or camp to keep troops organized and ready for duty.

Explanation

The term Boer refers specifically to the descendants of Dutch-speaking settlers who inhabited the eastern Cape frontier in South Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. Derived from the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, it historically identifies the group of people who migrated from the Cape Colony into the interior of Southern Africa to establish independent republics such as the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

Explanation

When a sentence refers to two actions that happened in the past at different times, the Past Perfect tense is used for the action that took place first, while the Simple Past is used for the action that followed. Since the cycle was purchased before she took it, the earlier action of buying requires the Past Perfect form had bought. This provides a clear chronological sequence between the two past events. The relative pronoun that is used here to define and restrict the noun cycle.

Explanation

The verb confess is idiomatically used with the preposition to when admitting to a particular state of mind, belief, or feeling. In the context of admitting an internal emotion like a feeling of uneasiness, the expression I must confess to conveys a sense of acknowledging something personal or slightly uncomfortable. This usage correctly aligns with the grammatical structure required to link the verb to the noun phrase following the preposition.

Explanation

In legal and official police terminology, the verb filed is the standard term used when initiating a formal complaint or legal proceedings against an individual. While the police might book a person for an offense, they file a case in the official records to document the charge. Therefore, when the object of the verb is a case, filed is the most precise and idiomatic choice to indicate that the legal process has been formally set in motion.

Explanation

In English grammar, the phrasal verb "comes from" is the standard idiomatic expression used to denote a person's place of birth, nationality, or hometown. While the word "originates" refers to the source or starting point of something, it is generally reserved for inanimate objects, ideas, rivers, or biological species in a formal or technical sense. For individuals, such as a student, the verb "comes" is more appropriate and naturally fits the context of identifying where someone is from.

Explanation

The sentence follows the grammatical rule of inversion, which is required when a sentence begins with a negative or restrictive adverb like scarcely. In such cases, the auxiliary verb had must precede the subject he. The structure Scarcely + had + subject + past participle is the standard form for expressing that one event happened immediately after another. Furthermore, scarcely is correctly paired with the conjunction when later in the sentence to complete the correlative structure. Since the original phrasing adheres perfectly to these syntactic requirements, it is grammatically sound.

Explanation

The young seagull had been starving for twenty-four hours, having had no food since the previous nightfall. As the passage explicitly states, he was maddened by hunger when he saw his mother approaching with a piece of fish in her beak. In a literary context, the term want refers to a lack of something necessary or a state of physical deprivation. Therefore, being maddened by want is synonymous with being driven to a point of desperation by his intense physical need for sustenance, which ultimately compelled him to overcome his fear of flight and dive toward the fish.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that after the young seagull fell outwards and downwards into space, a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still. This intense fear was a momentary reaction to the sudden loss of ground beneath him and the sensation of falling before his natural instincts and the wind beneath his wings allowed him to start soaring. The stillness of his heart is directly attributed to this sudden, overwhelming fright described in the text.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that after the seagull's wings spread outwards and he began to feel the wind against his breast feathers, he was no longer falling headlong. Instead, the text describes his movement as soaring gradually downwards and outwards. This transition marks the moment the young bird transitioned from a state of uncontrolled falling to active, controlled flight.

Explanation

The passage describes the young seagull's transition from intense terror to the successful experience of flight. After the initial shock of falling, he feels his wings spread and realizes he is soaring rather than falling headlong. The text explicitly states that at this point, he was no longer afraid and the only sensation remaining was that he felt a bit dizzy, which was a natural physical response to the new experience of movement and banking against the wind.

Explanation

The passage describes the young seagull's transition from terror to the exhilaration of his first flight. After he successfully flaps his wings and begins to soar upwards, the text mentions that he uttered a joyous scream. When his mother subsequently swoops past him with her wings making a loud noise, the narrative states that he answered her with another scream. This second scream is a continuation of the joyous state he entered once he realized he was no longer falling but flying, signifying his triumph and excitement as he interacts with his mother in the air.

Explanation

An enigma refers to a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. It originates from the Greek word ainigma, which means to speak in riddles. Similarly, a riddle is a question, statement, or matter that is intentionally phrased to be difficult to understand or solve, often requiring ingenuity to find the answer. Both terms are used to describe something that is obscure or baffling, making them direct synonyms in the context of identifying a mystery or a puzzle.

Explanation

Inertia refers to a state of inactivity, lethargy, or a tendency to remain unchanged and motionless. It implies a lack of energy or the drive to act. In contrast, vigour signifies physical strength, active force, and high levels of energy or enthusiasm. While inertia describes a condition of passiveness and stagnation, vigour represents a dynamic state of vitality and intensity, making it the opposite in meaning.

Explanation

The word Pious is an adjective derived from the Latin root pius, which signifies being devout or dutiful. In English, it is used to characterize an individual who is deeply religious or demonstrates a sincere spirit of reverence for spiritual matters. The correct spelling is P-I-O-U-S, which incorporates the common suffix -ous used to form adjectives describing the possession of specific qualities or traits.

Explanation

The error lies in the sequence of adjectives in part C. When multiple adjectives are used to describe a noun, they must follow a specific conventional order: Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, and Purpose. In the phrase red beautiful balloon, beautiful is an adjective of opinion and red is an adjective of color. According to the standard English adjective order, an opinion adjective must always precede a color adjective. Therefore, the correct construction of the phrase is beautiful red balloon.

Explanation

The error lies in part (C) because of the redundant use of a negative construction with the conjunction unless. The word unless is a conditional conjunction that inherently means if... not. Using the negative auxiliary verb does not in the same clause creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. To rectify the error, the clause should be written as unless she has a strong desire to live. In such conditional sentences, the negative meaning is already contained within unless, so the subsequent verb must be in the affirmative form to maintain the intended meaning that she will only be cured if she possesses the will to live.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the preposition after in the final part of the sentence. In English grammar, when the verb charged is used to describe a sudden, forceful, or aggressive movement directed toward a specific person or object, it is idiomatically paired with the preposition at. While charged after would imply that the bird is pursuing or following someone who is already moving away, charged at signifies a direct attack or movement toward a target. Given the context of the bird doubling back to confront the speaker, the phrase should be charged straight at me to accurately reflect a direct assault.