SSC CGL Tier 1 2016 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The noun alphabet refers to the entire set of letters used in a language, such as the 26 letters of the English writing system. It is a collective noun that remains singular when referring to the characters of a single language. The plural form alphabets is used only when referring to the writing systems of multiple different languages. In this context, the sentence refers to a child learning the letters of a single language, so the singular form alphabet should be used instead of alphabets.

Explanation

The phrasal verb wiped out means to eliminate, destroy, or erase something completely. In this sentence, it is used to describe how a single negative action can negate or cancel the value and merit of all previous virtuous actions. This idiomatic expression is commonly used in English to signify the total removal or destruction of a record, reputation, or set of achievements.

Explanation

The adjective conscious is conventionally followed by the preposition of when expressing awareness or realization of a particular fact, sensation, or situation. In English grammar, this is a fixed prepositional idiom where the adjective requires of to connect to the object of awareness. Therefore, in the sentence provided, of is the grammatically correct choice to link the state of being conscious to the specific observation of a break in the speaker's voice.

Explanation

The phrasal verb break down means to lose control of one's emotions and start crying, typically due to intense sorrow, distress, or tragic news. In the context of the sentence, receiving news of a husband's death is a traumatic event that causes an emotional collapse. This specific usage describes the sudden failure of mental or emotional self-control in a person experiencing deep grief.

Explanation

The idiom all moonshine is used to describe statement, ideas, or talk that are nonsensical, untrue, or purely imaginary. It suggests that something lacks substance or foundation in truth, much like the deceptive or cold light of the moon compared to the reality of daylight. In common usage, when a claim is dismissed as all moonshine, it is being characterized as a total fabrication or something that is completely far from reality.

Explanation

The idiom at a snail's pace is a metaphor derived from the physical movement of a snail, which is one of the slowest creatures in nature. It is used to describe an action, process, or progress that is happening extremely slowly or taking an unusually long time to complete. In English literature and common usage, snails serve as a universal symbol for sluggishness and lack of speed.

Explanation

The phrasal verb call on means to pay a brief or formal visit to someone. It is frequently used in both social and professional contexts to describe the act of stopping by a person's home or place of work to see them. For instance, if an individual decides to call on a friend, they are going to that friend's location to spend a short amount of time with them. This usage distinguishes it from communication via technology or a general request for assistance, focusing specifically on the physical act of visiting.

Explanation

A compositor is a person who performs the specialized task of setting type for printing. In the context of publishing books, newspapers, and periodicals, a compositor arranges individual letters, symbols, and spaces—historically made of metal or wood—into the correct order and layout to prepare a page for the printing press. This role is fundamental to the traditional typesetting process, ensuring that the text is correctly formatted and ready for mass production.

Explanation

A peninsula is a geographical landform that extends from a larger mainland and is surrounded by water on three of its sides. The term is derived from the Latin words paene, meaning almost, and insula, meaning island, reflecting the fact that the land is nearly surrounded by water but remains connected to a larger landmass. This connection to the mainland is usually via an isthmus or a broad base of land. Common examples of this formation include the Indian Peninsula, which is bounded by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean, as well as the Arabian Peninsula and the Florida peninsula.

Explanation

The word soporific is derived from the Latin root sopor, which means deep sleep. In medical and pharmacological terminology, a soporific is defined as a drug or agent that has the specific property of inducing, tending to induce, or producing sleep. These substances function by interacting with the central nervous system to decrease wakefulness and promote a state of drowsiness or slumber, making them the primary classification for sleep-inducing treatments.

Explanation

The text provides a direct autobiographical reference where the author explicitly identifies his occupation during the period he was learning grammar. He describes himself as a private soldier earning sixpence a day, who would sit on his bed to study and read by firelight during the winter months. This specific mention of his rank and military pay confirms that his occupation was that of a soldier.

Explanation

The sentence requires a structure where the rays is the plural subject, necessitating a plural verb to maintain subject-verb agreement. In the phrase the setting sun glimmer, the word setting acts as a present participle adjective modifying the noun sun. The word glimmer then functions as the main verb of the sentence. Because the subject the rays is plural, the verb glimmer must remain in its base form without an s, resulting in a grammatically correct and coherent description of the sunset.

Explanation

The quantifier a few is used with countable nouns to indicate a small but sufficient number, carrying a positive connotation that implies some or at least some. In contrast, the word few without an article has a negative connotation, meaning hardly any or not enough. Since the speaker is making a request for a specific amount of money to cover a taxi fare, they are asking for some rupees rather than emphasizing a lack of them. Additionally, the verb lend is appropriate here as it means to give something to someone temporarily, which fits the context of asking another person to provide the money.

Explanation

This sentence follows the parallel comparison structure used to show that two things change at the same rate. The grammatical rule for such expressions is The + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb, the + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb. Since the first part of the sentence uses the higher, the second part must maintain symmetry by using the colder. For short, monosyllabic adjectives like cold, the comparative is formed by adding the suffix -er rather than using the word more.

Explanation

The original sentence is grammatically sound and requires no changes. The adjective astonished is idiomatic when paired with the preposition at to indicate the cause of surprise or amazement. In this construction, the word all is correctly placed after the auxiliary verb were to function as a quantifier emphasizing that every individual in the group shared the feeling. The use of the simple past tense were is appropriate for describing a completed reaction to a past event, such as the team's success in a competition. Since the word order, tense, and prepositional usage are all standard, the sentence is correct as written.

Explanation

The phrase bent upon is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning to be strongly determined to do something, often something harmful or specific. In English grammar, this idiom requires the use of the preposition on or upon followed by a gerund, which is the -ing form of a verb acting as a noun. In this sentence, since the action is taking revenge, the construction bent upon taking correctly conveys the intention and follows standard phrasal verb usage.

Explanation

The author emphasizes that individual fulfillment and achievement are the direct results of personal effort and sincere application. By using the metaphor of the kernel of nourishing corn that only comes through the toil bestowed on one's own plot of ground, the text illustrates that progress requires hard work dedicated to one's specific circumstances. The passage further reinforces this by stating that a man finds relief and happiness only when he has put his heart into his work and performed to the best of his ability. This focus on earnest labor and the internal peace that follows sincere effort highlights the necessity of working diligently and authentically to manifest one's potential.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that a man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and has done his best. According to the author, genuine contentment and a sense of deliverance are the rewards of sincere effort and the full application of one's unique abilities. The text emphasizes that internal peace is achieved only through this total commitment to one's own toil and the faithful expression of the divine idea each person represents. In contrast, any work done without this wholehearted dedication fails to provide relief or hope, as it signifies a betrayal of one's own nature and potential.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. The author emphasizes that every individual represents a divine idea and possesses a unique power that remains unknown even to themselves until they have tried to express it. This divine work can only be realized when a man puts his heart into his work and faithfully imparts the particular ray of light he was meant to testify for. By identifying cowardice as the barrier to this manifestation, the author implies that courage and self-reliance are essential for a person to fulfill their divine potential and find peace in their toil.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the power which resides in an individual is new in nature and that none but the person himself knows what it is that he can do. The author further clarifies that the individual does not truly know the extent or nature of this power until he has tried, emphasizing that discovery of one's unique capacity is dependent on action and effort. This aligns with the central theme of self-reliance, where the individual must trust their own internal conviction and manifest their divine idea through toil and personal exertion.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the word manifest functions as a verb meaning to show, reveal, or make something clearly visible. The author uses it to describe how an individual's unique potential and divine purpose are brought to light or demonstrated to the world through their actions and work. When the text states that God will not have his work made manifest by cowards, it implies that one's true nature and capabilities can only be displayed or revealed through courageous and authentic effort. This aligns with the standard definition of manifest, which involves making something plain or evident to the eye or the mind.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that studying grammar demands much thought and patience, highlighting the mental discipline and persistence required for its mastery. Furthermore, the author asserts that grammar must be learned as a whole, with no part omitted, which necessitates a holistic approach to the subject. These three specific attributes—thoughtfulness, patience, and a holistic method—are directly derived from the text as the essential requirements for learning grammar effectively.

Explanation

The word constrain means to limit or control someone or something, often by imposing a particular course of action or restricting freedom. It implies a sense of forcing or compelling through pressure or necessity. Restrict is the most accurate synonym as it also means to put a limit on or keep within certain bounds. Both terms describe the act of confining or narrowing the scope of an activity or behavior, effectively preventing unrestricted action.

Explanation

A nonconformist is an individual who refuses to follow established customs, ideas, or social norms, often behaving in an unorthodox or rebellious manner. In contrast, the word conventional describes someone who adheres to widely accepted standards, traditions, or common practices. Since nonconformity represents a departure from the norm and conventionality represents adherence to it, these two words serve as direct antonyms in the context of social behavior and belief systems.

Explanation

The word Erroneous is an adjective derived from the Latin word erroneus, which itself comes from errare, meaning to wander or stray. The correct spelling requires a double r following the initial vowel e, and it concludes with the suffix eous. This suffix indicates being of the nature of or full of, thus describing something that contains an error or is mistaken. Maintaining the e before the ous is essential for its correct orthography, distinguishing it from words that use the more common ious ending.

Explanation

The sentence describes a sequence of events where the act of recognizing the girl occurred in the past, as indicated by the simple past tense verb recognized. To describe an action or state that occurred prior to another point in the past, the past perfect tense must be used. Using have never seen in the first part creates a tense conflict because the present perfect tense relates a past action to the present moment, whereas the context here is entirely past-oriented. Therefore, the present perfect auxiliary have should be replaced with the past perfect auxiliary had to correctly show that the state of never having seen her existed before the moment of recognition.

Explanation

The sentence contains a grammatical error in part C due to the incorrect case of the pronoun. In English grammar, prepositions like between must be followed by pronouns in the objective case rather than the nominative case. While you remains the same in both nominative and objective forms, the pronoun he is the nominative form and must be changed to its objective counterpart, him. Therefore, the correct phrasing of the comparison should be between you and him.

Explanation

The error lies in part (A) due to the incorrect usage of the verb flowed. The idiomatic expression to describe a sudden burst of anger is to fly into a rage. In the past tense, the correct verb form is flew, not flowed. While flowed refers to the movement of liquids or a steady stream, flew is used here to indicate the rapid and uncontrollable onset of an emotional state. Therefore, the sentence should correctly read He flew into a rage at the very sight of that man.

Explanation

In the sentence structure provided, an adverb is required to modify the adjective connected. The adverb respectably means in a manner that is socially acceptable, decent, or of a good standard. The phrase respectably connected is a conventional English expression used to indicate that a person has family or social ties to people of good reputation and high social standing.

Explanation

In English grammar, the preposition in is used to indicate residency or a position within a large, defined geographical area such as a country, continent, or state. Since Australia is a country and a continent, it represents a broad spatial enclosure. The verb lived requires this specific preposition to show that the subject resided within the boundaries of that territory, making in the grammatically correct choice for describing a person's place of residence on a national or continental scale.

Explanation

The verb grumbled is the past tense form of the word grumble, which means to complain about something in a muttering or bad-tempered way. It is grammatically appropriate for the singular subject He and fits the context of expressing unhappiness with one's salary. The use of the past tense ensures subject-verb agreement and indicates a completed action or state. When paired with the preposition at, it identifies the specific object of the subject's dissatisfaction, resulting in a syntactically correct and logical sentence regarding the subject's response to his inadequate wages.

Explanation

The idiom pros and cons is derived from the Latin phrase pro et contra, which translates to for and against. In English usage, it refers to the various arguments, factors, or reasons that support or oppose a particular decision, action, or idea. When one weighs the pros and cons of a situation, they are evaluating the favorable aspects or benefits alongside the unfavorable aspects or drawbacks. Consequently, the phrase serves as a standard expression to denote the advantages and disadvantages associated with any given subject.

Explanation

The idiom once in a blue moon is used to describe an event that happens very infrequently. It originates from the astronomical phenomenon where a second full moon occurs within a single calendar month. Since this celestial alignment happens only about once every 2.7 years, the phrase became a standard metaphor in the English language to signify that something occurs very rarely.

Explanation

The idiom fish out of water refers to a person who is in a situation that is unsuited to them or where they feel awkward and out of place. Just as a fish depends on water to breathe and function naturally, removing it from its habitat causes it to struggle and experience intense distress. Metaphorically, this expression describes the feeling of being in an unfamiliar or mismatched environment where one lacks the necessary skills, comfort, or social connection to feel at ease.

Explanation

Panacea is a term derived from the Greek words pan meaning all and akos meaning remedy. In medical and general contexts, it refers to a substance or solution that is believed to cure any ailment or solve any problem. Historically, it was a mythical medicine sought by alchemists to treat all diseases and provide eternal life. Today, the word is used both literally in historical medical contexts and figuratively to describe a universal remedy for social or political issues.

Explanation

The word superlative is defined as being of the highest quality or degree. It is used to describe something that surpasses all others in excellence or performance, representing the pinnacle of a particular category. In linguistic terms, the superlative degree of an adjective or adverb expresses the highest intensity of a quality, typically formed by adding the suffix -est or using the word most. Therefore, when a person or object is characterized as superlative, it signifies that they possess a standard of quality that is supreme and unrivaled.

Explanation

A harbour is a landlocked area of water that provides a safe haven or refuge for ships, boats, and other vessels. It is specifically characterized as a place of shelter where watercraft can anchor and be protected from the rough currents, heavy winds, and high waves of the open sea, whether through natural geographical formations or artificial structures like breakwaters and jetties.

Explanation

In English grammar, when a sentence combines both positive and comparative degrees of comparison, each construction must be structurally complete. The positive degree of comparison uses the format as + adjective + as, while the comparative degree uses adjective-er + than. In the given sentence, the positive comparison is incomplete because it only uses as tall. Adding the second as after the adjective ensures that the first part of the comparison, as tall as, is grammatically sound before introducing the conditional clause if not and the subsequent comparative phrase taller than. The use of commas further clarifies the parenthetical nature of the conditional phrase, making the sentence logically and syntactically correct.

Explanation

The phrase yesterday's performance is grammatically correct because nouns indicating time commonly take the possessive case using an apostrophe and s. In English grammar, time expressions such as today, yesterday, tomorrow, week, or year are treated as entities that can possess attributes or actions occurring within their span. Using the possessive form yesterday's to modify the noun performance correctly attributes the action to the specific timeframe mentioned, making the original sentence idiomatic and standard.

Explanation

The verb refrain means to abstain or keep oneself from doing something, especially something that is considered improper or unhealthy. In English grammar, refrain is idiomatically paired with the preposition from followed by a gerund or a noun. In the given sentence, the structure to refrain from smoking correctly follows this rule, where from acts as the appropriate preposition and smoking is the gerund. Since the original phrasing is grammatically sound and conveys the intended meaning of the doctor's advice accurately, no improvement is required.

Explanation

The phrase for a week indicates a duration that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. In English grammar, when an action or state begins in the past and remains ongoing, the Present Perfect Continuous tense must be used. The structure for this tense is Subject + has/have + been + Verb-ing. Because the subject He is third-person singular, the auxiliary has been is required followed by the present participle suffering. This construction correctly connects the past start of the fever with the current state of the subject.

Explanation

The verb happen is an intransitive verb, which means it does not take a direct object. Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice. The expression was happened is an incorrect passive construction. The simple past tense form happened is required here to function as the active verb in the subordinate clause, correctly describing an event that took place in the past.

Explanation

The narrator explicitly states in the passage, I had almost given up hope of sheltering, while describing the struggle of fighting through a worsening snowstorm and harsh winds. This indicates that the primary concern and the thing the writer had nearly stopped expecting to find was a place of refuge or protection from the elements. The discovery of the abandoned log cabin immediately after this thought confirms that the hope being lost was specifically related to finding such a shelter.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the narrator and Jane found an abandoned log cabin while fighting through the snowstorm. In English, the word abandoned describes a location that has been left or vacated by its owners or inhabitants, which directly corresponds to the meaning of a deserted hut or structure. The text further reinforces this state of being uninhabited by describing the interior as dark, musty-smelling, and having a dusty floor, indicating that no one had been living there for some time.

Explanation

The writer stepped cautiously because the interior of the cabin was dark and unfamiliar. According to the passage, the environment was characterized by gloom, with only a weak ray of light piercing the darkness. In such conditions where visibility is significantly impaired, moving with caution is a necessary precaution to avoid tripping over unseen objects or encountering hazards on the floor of the abandoned structure.

Explanation

The passage describes the object Jane found as a gold necklace that glittered and shone. It further details that the necklace featured a ruby pendant, which appeared as a lustrous wine-red color in the light. This confirms that the item was a golden necklace with a pendant attached to it.

Explanation

The passage describes the log cabin as dark, musty-smelling, and having a dusty floor, indicating it had been abandoned for some time. However, the text explicitly states that there was no dust on the necklace found by Jane. This observation is highlighted as being strange because it implied the necklace had been dropped by its owner only moments before, which contradicted the overall neglected and dusty state of the shelter.

Explanation

Lethargic is an adjective used to describe a state of physical or mental sluggishness, inactivity, or a lack of energy and enthusiasm. It is derived from the Greek word lethargos, meaning forgetful or inactive. A person who is lethargic feels indifferent and move slowly, which directly aligns with the definition of being lazy. Both terms characterize a person or behavior marked by a deficiency in alertness or an unwillingness to exert effort.

Explanation

The word malleable refers to someone or something that is easily influenced, controlled, or shaped into a different form without resistance. In a figurative sense, it describes a person who is submissive or adaptable. The word intractable denotes a person or situation that is stubborn, hard to control, or impossible to deal with. Because intractable signifies a complete lack of flexibility or compliance, it acts as the direct opposite of malleable.

Explanation

The word parsimonious is the correct spelling, derived from the Latin noun parsimonia, meaning thrift or frugality. It is an adjective used to describe an individual who is excessively unwilling to spend money or utilize resources, effectively serving as a formal synonym for stingy. The spelling is characterized by the prefix parsi-, the medial m-o-n, and the standard adjectival suffix -ious. It correctly maintains the single s and the o-n-i-o-u-s ending common to many Latin-derived English adjectives.