SSC CGL Tier 1 2016 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The verb assured means to tell someone something positively or confidently to dispel any doubts or fears they may have. In this context, since the passengers were afraid, the captain spoke to them to provide a sense of certainty and safety. Grammatically, the verb assure is transitive and is correctly followed by an indirect object (them) and a that-clause (that there was no danger) to indicate the content of the statement made to ease their anxiety.

Explanation

The verb insist is idiomatically followed by the preposition on or upon when it is used to express a firm demand or a statement that something must happen. In this sentence, his leaving functions as a gerund phrase serving as the object of the preposition. Following the standard rule of English grammar, the correct construction for expressing this requirement is insist + on + possessive adjective + gerund.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of a negative imperative request. In English grammar, negative imperatives are formed using the auxiliary verb do not or the contraction don't followed by the base form of the main verb. The base form is the infinitive without the word to and without any inflectional endings like -s, -ed, or -ing. Therefore, the base verb interrupt is the grammatically correct choice to follow the auxiliary don't in this context.

Explanation

The idiom beat around the bush means to discuss a matter in an indirect and evasive way, failing to address the most important or relevant point directly. It is commonly used when someone is reluctant to speak openly about a difficult or unpleasant subject, choosing instead to talk about peripheral issues. The phrase has historical roots in hunting, where beaters would strike the outskirts of a bush to flush out game without approaching the center directly. In a conversational context, it signifies a lack of straightforwardness or a deliberate delay in getting to the heart of the matter.

Explanation

The idiom make room means to create or provide enough space for someone or something else to fit in. It involves moving people or objects aside to accommodate an additional person or item. This expression is frequently used in physical contexts, such as adjusting seating to allow another person to sit down, or in figurative contexts, such as making room for new ideas or developments by clearing out old ones. It is synonymous with the act of creating space.

Explanation

The idiom mend your ways means to improve one's behavior or habits, particularly after acting in an undesirable or improper manner. The verb mend implies repairing, fixing, or making something better, while ways refers to a person's established patterns of conduct. Consequently, to mend one's ways is to undergo a positive change in character or actions by correcting faults and adopting better standards of behavior.

Explanation

The term autobiography is derived from the Greek roots autos meaning self, bios meaning life, and graphein meaning to write. It refers to a literary work where a person provides a first-hand account of their own life history, typically covering their experiences, achievements, and personal development from their own perspective.

Explanation

The term contemporaries refers to people living at the same time or things that exist, happen, or originate during the same historical period. It is derived from the Latin prefix con, meaning together, and tempus, meaning time. In historical and literary contexts, this word is used to describe figures whose lives or careers overlapped, such as describing Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz as contemporaries in the field of mathematics. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is current or belonging to the present.

Explanation

An eavesdropper is a person who secretly listens to the private conversation of others without their knowledge or consent. The term originates from the practice of standing under the eaves of a building to overhear what is being said inside. It specifically describes the act of surreptitiously hearing spoken words in a private setting, which perfectly matches the definition provided.

Explanation

The preposition by is used to indicate a deadline or a specific point in time before which an action must be finished. In the context of a task or assignment, it specifies the latest possible time for completion. Using by Sunday signifies that the work is required to be done no later than that day.

Explanation

The sentence requires the adjective whole to describe bread made from the entire grain kernel, including the bran, germ, and endosperm. While whole and hole are homophones, they have distinct meanings; whole signifies something that is complete or in one piece, whereas hole refers to an opening or a hollow space. In the context of nutrition and food labeling, whole wheat is the standard and correct term used to denote that the grain has not been refined.

Explanation

In English grammar, when an infinitive is used to qualify a noun and the noun is the instrument of the action, the infinitive must be followed by the appropriate preposition. Since a pen is a tool used to perform the action of writing, the verb write requires the preposition with to show this relationship. The structure follows the pattern of noun + to-infinitive + preposition, similar to phrases like a house to live in or a bed to sleep on. Without the preposition, the sentence would be grammatically incomplete because one writes with a pen rather than writing the pen itself.

Explanation

The sentence follows the rules of question tags where a positive statement requires a negative tag. The main clause is in the Simple Present tense with the third-person singular subject He. Since the main verb dislikes is in the Simple Present and lacks an auxiliary verb, the corresponding auxiliary does must be used to form the tag. Adding the negative particle results in doesn't he? to maintain agreement with the subject and tense of the statement.

Explanation

In the construction one of those who, the relative pronoun who refers to the plural antecedent those, which requires a plural verb. Therefore, likes must be replaced by the plural verb like to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Explanation

The provided passage states in the opening sentence that crude mineral oil comes out of the earth as a thick brown or black liquid with a strong smell. This description identifies the physical state, color, and odor of the substance in its raw form as it is extracted from subterranean deposits.

Explanation

As described in the passage, crude mineral oil is a complex mixture consisting of many different substances, each possessing unique individual qualities. Chemically, it is primarily composed of various combinations of hydrogen and carbon, known as hydrocarbons, which exist in different proportions. This mixture is formed over millions of years through the decomposition of tiny marine animals and plants under high pressure and heat within sedimentary rock layers, preventing complete decay and resulting in the thick, dark liquid extracted from the earth.

Explanation

Mineral oil is formed through the biological and geological transformation of organic matter from marine environments. The process begins with the carcasses of tiny animals and plants that live in the sea. When these organisms die, they accumulate in massive deposits on the seabed. Over millions of years, these deposits are buried under layers of sand and silt, which eventually harden into sedimentary rock. This burial prevents complete decomposition by sealing off oxygen. The cumulative weight of the overlying rock layers creates intense pressure and heat, which triggers a slow chemical reaction that converts the remains of these marine creatures into the complex mixture of hydrocarbons known as crude mineral oil.

Explanation

The provided text states that the formation of large deposits of dead marine creatures under the seabed occurs over millions of years. These deposits are covered by blankets of sand and silt which gradually harden into sedimentary rock. This geological process involves the continuous accumulation of thicker and heavier layers, creating the pressure and heat necessary to transform organic matter into crude oil. Therefore, the timeline for these marine deposits to undergo the transition into rock is characterized by millions of years.

Explanation

According to the passage, the formation of crude oil is a result of the pressure exerted by accumulating layers of sedimentary rock on the remains of marine organisms. As these layers become thicker and heavier over millions of years, the resulting pressure generates significant heat. This heat facilitates the chemical transformation of the tiny carcasses and plant matter into crude oil. The sedimentary rocks act as a seal that prevents decomposition by shutting out oxygen, while the thermal energy produced by their weight drives the conversion process of the organic deposits into hydrocarbons.

Explanation

The word decimated is derived from the Latin decimare, which historically referred to the practice of executing one out of every ten soldiers in a rebellious or failing military unit. In modern usage, the term has evolved to mean the severe reduction, devastation, or wiping out of a large proportion of a population, group, or area. Because it implies a state of being significantly ruined or eliminated, destroyed is the most accurate synonym among the provided options.

Explanation

The word invincible refers to someone or something that is too powerful to be defeated, overcome, or subdued. It characterizes a state of being unconquerable or insurmountable in strength. The word powerless represents the direct opposite state, describing an individual or entity that lacks the strength, influence, or authority to act or resist. While invincible implies supreme and unbeatable power, powerless signifies a total lack of power, making it the antonym.

Explanation

Diarrhoea is the correctly spelt word according to British English standards, which are the primary reference for English language sections in Indian competitive examinations. The term originates from the Greek word diarrhoia, which is a combination of dia, meaning through, and rhein, meaning to flow. In British orthography, many words of Greek origin retain the oe digraph in their spelling. The correct sequence of letters for this word is d-i-a-r-r-h-o-e-a.

Explanation

The phrasal verb get off is used incorrectly in this context. The sentence describes the process of recovering from the emotional trauma and grief caused by a loss, which requires the phrasal verb get over. While get off means to leave a vehicle or to escape a punishment, get over signifies recovering from an illness, an unpleasant experience, or a personal tragedy. Therefore, the preposition off must be replaced with over to convey the intended meaning of moving past the death of her husband.

Explanation

The sentence involves a comparison between two specific actions: being silent and speaking in anger. In English grammar, the comparative degree of an adjective is required when comparing two things, typically followed by the conjunction than. The word best is the superlative degree, which is used for comparing three or more things. To make the sentence grammatically correct, the comparative form better must be used instead of best to properly correlate with the word than.

Explanation

The error in this sentence is the incorrect use of the preposition against after the word disgusted. In English grammar, when the adjective disgusted is used to express a feeling of strong disapproval or dislike toward a person, it is idiomatically paired with the preposition with. Therefore, the phrase should correctly be disgusted with him. While at or by may be used when referring to an action, situation, or thing, against is not the appropriate preposition to indicate the object of one's disgust.

Explanation

The sentence is a contextual adaptation of the common proverb prevention is better than cure. In the realm of international relations and conflict resolution, a Peace Council operates on the principle of proactive diplomacy. The goal is the preservation of existing peace and stability to ensure that conflict does not arise in the first place. By focusing on preservation, the council aims to keep the state of peace intact, thereby avoiding the difficult and costly process of restoring or repairing relations after a breakdown has occurred.

Explanation

The preposition in is used to indicate inclusion, membership, or position within a group, defined space, or organization. In this context, it functions to specify the group of people belonging to a particular set, creating the phrase everyone in the class. This prepositional phrase acts as a modifier for the pronoun everyone, identifying the specific individuals who are being given the opportunities for practice.

Explanation

Proficiency refers to a high degree of skill, competence, or expertise in a particular field or subject. In the context of language learning, it specifically describes the ability to use a language accurately and fluently. When someone studies English, they aim to master its grammar, vocabulary, and syntax to reach a level where they can communicate effectively. Gaining proficiency signifies that the individual has successfully acquired the necessary skills to understand and utilize the language at an advanced level.

Explanation

The idiom to beggar description is used to characterize something that is so extreme, extraordinary, or intense that it is impossible to describe it adequately with words. The word beggar functions as a verb in this context, meaning to exhaust the resources of or to outdo. When an object or event beggars description, it means the subject surpasses the limits of language, making any verbal account seem poor or insufficient by comparison. Therefore, the phrase essentially means that something is beyond description or cannot be described.

Explanation

The idiom drag one's feet originates from the physical action of walking slowly and unwillingly by not lifting one's feet properly. Figuratively, it describes a person or organization acting with deliberate slowness or stalling progress because they are unwilling or hesitant to do something. It signifies a lack of enthusiasm or a conscious effort to delay a decision or action due to reluctance.

Explanation

The idiom hope against hope means to persist in hoping for something even when the situation appears to be hopeless or when there is very little reason to believe that the desired outcome will occur. It describes the act of maintaining a desire or expectation despite the existence of circumstances that make success seem impossible. The phrase originates from the biblical description of Abraham's faith, where he continued to believe in a promise despite having no logical grounds for such an expectation.

Explanation

Ineptness refers to a total lack of skill, competence, or ability in a particular field or task. The term is derived from the adjective inept, which describes someone who is clumsy, awkward, or ineffective. It signifies a state where an individual lacks the necessary expertise or natural aptitude to perform an action successfully, often leading to bungled or unsuccessful attempts.

Explanation

A pestle is a heavy, club-shaped tool with a thick, rounded end specifically designed for crushing, grinding, and pounding substances within a bowl-shaped container known as a mortar. This traditional apparatus is widely used in culinary practices for grinding spices, in pharmacy for preparing medications, and in laboratory settings for pulverizing chemicals into fine powders or pastes.

Explanation

A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a specific political question, policy, or constitutional issue. Unlike an election where voters choose individuals to represent them in government, a referendum allows citizens to express their opinion or make a final decision on a particular matter of public interest. This process is a key tool of direct democracy, enabling the public to have a direct say on significant legislative or constitutional changes.

Explanation

The sentence requires tense consistency between the reporting verb and the subordinate clause. The presence of the present perfect tense hasn't done in the second part of the sentence indicates that the action is related to the present time. In English grammar, when the reporting verb is in the present tense, such as tells, the tense of the reported speech remains unchanged and reflects the current state or a recently completed action. This creates a logical flow where Jane is currently informing the speaker about the status of her homework.

Explanation

The phrase is concerned with is a standard idiomatic expression in English used to describe the subject matter, focus, or scope of a particular document, study, or survey. It means to be about or to deal with a specific topic. In the context of the sentence, it accurately conveys that the theme of the survey is the health of the individual and their family. This construction uses the past participle concerned followed by the preposition with to correctly link the subject to the area of its investigation.

Explanation

The sentence is a direct quotation from the King James Version of the Bible (Matthew 5:14). In this literary and historical context, hid functions as the past participle of the verb hide. The passive voice construction cannot be hid is grammatically sound within this traditional framework, as the auxiliary verb be is correctly followed by a past participle. Because the phrase is a well-known idiomatic expression, it is acceptable in its original form.

Explanation

The sentence requires the past perfect tense because of the auxiliary verb had. In this tense, the past participle form of the verb must be used, which is taken rather than the simple past form took.

Explanation

Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the Tryst with Destiny speech to the members of the Indian Constituent Assembly on the eve of India's independence, specifically at midnight on August 14, 1947. The assembly met in the Constitution Hall, which is now the Central Hall of the Parliament House in New Delhi. At that historic moment, the Constituent Assembly served as the sovereign body of the nation, acting both as the constitution-making body and the first Parliament of independent India. Nehru's oration explicitly acknowledged the assembly as a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India, highlighting their collective responsibility in building the new nation and ending the sufferings of millions.

Explanation

Nehru's speech reflects a pragmatic yet optimistic vision for the newly independent nation. By stating that the time had come to redeem their pledge very substantially, he acknowledges that while absolute perfection or the complete fulfillment of every goal might not happen instantly, the country was positioned to make significant and meaningful progress. His call to end poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality of opportunity, along with his vision of building a noble mansion for all Indian citizens, underscores his conviction that India possessed the collective will and sovereign power to take major strides toward realizing its historic dreams and responsibilities.

Explanation

Jawaharlal Nehru's speech reflects a profound sense of hope and confidence in the future of a newly independent India. By using phrases such as redeeming a pledge, the ending of poverty and ignorance, and building the noble mansion of free India, he emphasizes the potential for national transformation and progress. The focus is on the successful culmination of the independence movement and the collective responsibility to create a better society, which establishes a forward-looking and positive tone. This vision of overcoming historical challenges to achieve greatness as a sovereign nation defines the voice of optimism that permeates the entire oration.

Explanation

In his Tryst with Destiny speech, Jawaharlal Nehru explicitly warns against the encouragement of communalism and narrow-mindedness. He asserts that no nation can achieve greatness if its people are narrow in thought or action, thereby identifying communalism as a regressive force that undermines national progress. By linking communalism to a lack of greatness and calling for its rejection, Nehru highlights it as a dangerous obstacle to his vision of a free, inclusive, and prosperous India where the service of the millions who suffer remains the primary responsibility of the sovereign body.

Explanation

In the concluding section of the Tryst with Destiny speech, Jawaharlal Nehru explicitly states the need to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell. The use of the word noble in this context characterizes the envisioned nation as one founded on dignity, high moral principles, and integrity. In a political and social sense, a noble mansion represents an honorable and virtuous state that serves the millions who suffer by ending inequality and poverty. Nehru’s oration focused on the transition from the struggle for freedom to the responsibility of constructing a respected and inclusive national identity.

Explanation

The word revile is a verb that means to criticize or denounce someone in an insulting or abusive manner. It implies the use of vituperative or harshly critical language to express strong disapproval or contempt. Because abuse, in its verbal sense, refers to the act of speaking to someone in an insulting or offensive way, it serves as the closest synonym for the given word. Both terms describe the action of using disparaging language to attack or vilify an individual or group.

Explanation

The word squander refers to the act of wasting resources, such as money, time, or energy, in a reckless and extravagant manner. It signifies a lack of restraint and a tendency to dissipate assets without care for the future or efficiency. In contrast, skimp means to be extremely frugal or parsimonious, often providing or using less than what is necessary or expected. It involves a deliberate and often excessive effort to save or restrict expenditure, representing the opposite behavior of excessive and foolish spending.

Explanation

The word sanctuaries is the plural form of sanctuary, which refers to a place of refuge, safety, or a nature reserve. The spelling follows the standard English pluralization rule: for nouns ending in a consonant followed by the letter y, the y is replaced with ies. Consequently, the singular sanctuary is correctly pluralized as sanctuaries. The root of the word is the Latin sanctuarium, derived from sanctus, meaning holy.

Explanation

The error lies in part A because the word message is a singular countable noun. In English grammar, a singular countable noun typically requires an article such as a, an, or the before it when used in a sentence. Therefore, the phrase should be corrected to sent me a message or sent me the message to be grammatically sound. Using a singular countable noun without a determiner in this context is incorrect.

Explanation

The term fallout is an uncountable noun when used to refer to the side effects, consequences, or results of a particular situation or development. Uncountable nouns do not have a plural form and cannot be used with an s at the end. In this sentence, the word fallouts in part B is grammatically incorrect and must be replaced with the singular form fallout to properly describe the collective repercussions of science and technology.

Explanation

The sentence follows a parallel structure where a singular subject, the angry bird, performs a series of actions in the simple present tense. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular third-person subject requires the verb to take the suffix s or es. While the verbs flies and returns in the later parts of the sentence are correctly conjugated, the verb flap in part A is in its base form. Therefore, it must be changed to flaps to agree with the singular subject and maintain consistency with the other verbs in the sequence.

Explanation

The phrasal verb run down is specifically used to describe a clock, watch, or battery-operated device that stops functioning because it has lost its power or its tension. In the context of a mechanical clock, for want of winding means that the clock has stopped because the mainspring has lost its tension and needs to be wound again to resume operation. Therefore, run down is the correct idiomatic expression to indicate that the device has ceased to work due to the depletion of its energy source.