SSC CGL Tier 1 2016 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the objective case pronoun whom in part (B). In the subordinate clause whom the next speaker is, the pronoun functions as a subject complement following the linking verb is. Grammatically, a subject complement must be in the nominative case. Therefore, the subjective pronoun who should be used instead of whom to correctly refer to the identity of the next speaker.

Explanation

The verb phrase is having in part A is used in the Present Continuous tense, which is typically reserved for actions occurring at the current moment. However, the presence of the time marker for the last few days in part C indicates a duration that started in the past and continues up to the present. According to English grammar rules, when a sentence specifies a period of time using for or since, the Present Perfect Continuous tense (has been having) or the Present Perfect tense (has had) must be used instead of the simple Present Continuous. This adjustment is necessary to show the continuity of the condition over the specified timeframe.

Explanation

The sentence requires an adjective to serve as a subject complement following the linking verb construction must be. The word obedient is the adjective form of the verb obey and is used to describe a person who complies with the orders or requests of another. In the context of the sentence, it correctly provides the qualitative description of how children should behave toward their parents. The structure Subject + must + be + Adjective is a standard grammatical pattern used to express necessity or obligation regarding a state or quality.

Explanation

In the parliamentary form of government followed in India, the executive is drawn from and remains accountable to the legislature. According to Article 75(3) of the Constitution of India, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of the Parliament. This principle of collective responsibility implies that ministers are answerable to the Parliament for all their actions, policies, and the administration of their respective departments. Grammatically, the sentence requires an adjective to describe the relationship of accountability between the subject and the institution. The word responsible is the correct adjectival form that denotes being legally or ethically accountable for something or to someone.

Explanation

The phrase heart to heart is a standard English idiomatic expression used to describe a conversation that is very honest, sincere, and personal. It implies that the individuals involved are speaking openly from their hearts, sharing intimate feelings or secrets that they might not normally disclose. When used before a noun like talk or conversation, it acts as an adjective to characterize the nature of the exchange as being deep and emotionally transparent.

Explanation

The idiom describes a person who appears aggressive or intimidating through their words and demeanor but is actually harmless or unlikely to follow through with any real damage. In this metaphor, the bark represents verbal threats or a loud, angry temperament, while the bite represents the actual harm or hostile action taken. The phrase signifies that the person's outward show of hostility is much more severe than the actual consequences of their behavior, indicating that their threats are more frightening than their deeds.

Explanation

The idiom throw caution to the winds signifies a decision to stop worrying about danger or negative consequences and to act in a bold or daring manner. It implies that a person has abandoned their usual prudence and is prepared to take a significant risk, thereby behaving recklessly or impulsively without regard for the potential outcome.

Explanation

The idiom ill at ease is used to describe a state of feeling uncomfortable, anxious, or self-conscious. It typically refers to a person who lacks social confidence or feels out of place in a specific environment, leading to a sense of mental or emotional restlessness. This directly corresponds to being uneasy, which characterizes a lack of comfort or the presence of apprehension.

Explanation

A prelude is defined as an action or event that serves as an introduction to something more important. The term originates from the Latin word praeludere, meaning to play beforehand. In a general context, it refers to any preliminary occurrence that sets the stage or provides a lead-in to a subsequent, more significant event. While often associated with music as an introductory movement, its broader linguistic use correctly identifies it as the precursor that forms the opening part of a larger sequence.

Explanation

A bank statement is a summary of financial transactions that have occurred over a specific period on a bank account held by a person or business with a financial institution. It serves as an official record of all deposits, withdrawals, and other transactions, providing a clear overview of the account's debit and credit history. Because these records are generated by the bank's digital processing systems, the resulting physical or electronic document is categorized as a computer printout of the account activity.

Explanation

The word invigorate means to give strength, energy, or life to something. It is derived from the Latin root vigor, which relates to force and energy. This term is commonly used to describe the process of making someone feel healthy, refreshed, and full of vitality again, which perfectly matches the meaning of the phrase refresh and revive.

Explanation

The phrase except for is a compound preposition used to introduce the only person or thing that prevents a general statement from being completely true. It is the standard idiomatic choice when following a general statement to point out a specific exclusion. In this context, except for him correctly identifies the individual who is the sole exception to the preceding part of the sentence, following the grammatical rule of using a preposition followed by an objective case pronoun.

Explanation

The phrase known as is the standard idiomatic expression used to identify or define someone or something by a specific name, title, or category. It is used to establish a recognized identity or designation, linking the subject to the label by which it is commonly identified in a formal or widely accepted manner.

Explanation

The pronoun functions as the subject of the verb comes in the dependent clause whoever comes first. In English grammar, the subjective case whoever must be used when the pronoun is the subject of its own clause, even if the entire clause serves as the object of a preposition like to. The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its role within its own clause rather than by the role of the clause in the larger sentence.

Explanation

The noun imagination refers to the mental faculty of forming new ideas, images, or concepts that are not present to the senses. In the phrase a sense of imagination, it describes an inherent creative capacity or a resourceful quality of the mind. This construction is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate for describing a personal attribute or mental strength possessed by the subject despite her young age.

Explanation

The phrase command of metaphor is the most appropriate choice as it implies mastery and the skillful application of figurative language in writing or speaking. This usage aligns with the classic observation by Aristotle that the greatest mark of style is the masterly use (or command) of metaphor.

Explanation

The passage explicitly links the decline in sales to the railway's policy regarding vendor access. The speaker states, "My sales were poor, as the railways were admitting more pedlars on the platforms." In this context, the conjunction "as" functions to introduce the reason or cause for the statement that precedes it, identifying the increased competition from other sellers as the direct cause of the speaker's poor sales performance.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that because the boy's method of account-keeping was chaotic, the speaker was unable to determine the financial trajectory of his business. The lack of organized records meant the speaker could not assess whether the shop was making progress or declining, which is directly expressed in the text as not knowing whether he was moving forward or backward.

Explanation

The narrator explains that the management of the shop had become chaotic under the boy's care, leading to immense gaps on the shelves. As a direct consequence of this poor inventory management and lack of supplies, the passage explicitly states that the complaint made by the public was that nothing one wanted was ever available at the shop.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that when the narrator received the notice to quit and pleaded with the stationmaster and the porter, they were unable to provide any assistance because the order had come from high up. This phrase indicates that the decision was made by senior officials or a superior administrative level within the railway hierarchy, placing the directive beyond the jurisdiction or influence of the local station staff.

Explanation

The speaker’s emotional response is directly linked to the loss of his family legacy and the physical space they occupied for years. In the text, the narrator explicitly states, I shed tears at seeing a new man in the place where I and my father had sat. This highlights that the sight of a stranger taking over the shop—a place deeply tied to his father’s memory and his own identity—was the specific trigger for his weeping. The transition from a family-run business to one managed by a new contractor represented a painful and visible end to his personal and ancestral connection to the railway platform.

Explanation

The word masticate is derived from the Latin verb masticare, which means to chew. In physiological and biological contexts, mastication refers to the mechanical process by which food is crushed and ground by the teeth and jaws. It is the first step of the digestive process, where solid food is broken down into smaller particles and mixed with saliva to form a bolus. Because the term specifically denotes the repetitive action of grinding food in the mouth, it is synonymous with the word chew.

Explanation

Ferocious is defined as being savagely fierce, cruel, or violently intense. The word mild is its opposite because it describes a temperament or condition that is gentle, moderate, and lacking in harshness or severity. While ferocious implies extreme aggression or power, mild denotes a calm and non-aggressive nature.

Explanation

The word alleviate is a verb meaning to make something, such as pain or a problem, less severe or more bearable. It is derived from the Late Latin word alleviatus, the past participle of alleviare, which combines the prefix ad- meaning to and levis meaning light. The correct English spelling requires a double l followed by the vowels e, i, and a in their respective positions to maintain the phonetic structure and etymological roots of the word.

Explanation

The construction "the reason... was because" is considered redundant in formal English; the correct structure is "the reason... was that." Since the word "because" is located in option A, that part contains the grammatical error.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct as the singular subject "path" matches the third-person singular verb "passes". The preposition "to" is correctly used to indicate the destination of the path, and "through" accurately describes the movement relative to the forest. The articles are also properly applied: "the" specifies a particular church known for its fame, and "a" is used for a non-specific forest. There are no errors in syntax, agreement, or word choice.

Explanation

The term defalcate refers to the act of misappropriating or embezzling funds, specifically those that have been entrusted to one's care. In a legal and financial context, it describes the failure of a fiduciary, such as a broker, to properly account for or return money belonging to a client. It is the precise technical term used to describe the criminal misuse of funds in a professional capacity.

Explanation

The phrasal verb engaged in is the standard idiomatic expression used to indicate that a person is involved, occupied, or participating in a specific activity, profession, or line of work. In the context of employment and commerce, being engaged in a business signifies that the individual is actively pursuing that trade or is a member of that particular industry.

Explanation

The phrasal verb fall through means to fail to occur or to be unsuccessful, which is commonly used when discussing plans, deals, or arrangements that do not materialize. In this context, the sentence implies that the plan failed to reach completion because of lethargy or a lack of effort.

Explanation

The idiom bad blood refers to a state of long-standing hostility, ill-will, or resentment between individuals, families, or groups. It typically describes a relationship where past grievances or conflicts have created a persistent atmosphere of bitterness and animosity. The term enmity directly represents this feeling of active opposition or mutual hatred, making it the correct definition of the phrase.

Explanation

The idiom to beat about the bush means to discuss a matter without coming to the point or to avoid the main topic of conversation. It describes a circuitous way of speaking where the individual focuses on peripheral or indirect details instead of addressing the core issue directly. The phrase originated from hunting practices where beaters would hit the ground or the perimeter of a bush to flush out prey rather than heading directly into the thicket. In a communicative context, it identifies the act of talking about irrelevant things to evade a direct or difficult question.

Explanation

The idiom maiden speech refers to the first public speech delivered by a person, most commonly used in the context of a newly elected member of a legislature or parliament. The term maiden functions as an adjective meaning first or earliest of its kind, similar to its usage in maiden voyage for a ship's first journey or maiden century for a cricketer's first hundred runs. In parliamentary tradition, a maiden speech is often formal and non-controversial, marking the member's official introduction to the house.

Explanation

A mint is a specialized industrial facility where coins are manufactured and produced under the authority of a government for use as legal tender. These institutions are responsible for the entire process of coin production, including metal processing, striking the designs onto blanks, and ensuring the quality and weight of the currency before it enters circulation.

Explanation

Respiration is the fundamental physiological process through which all living organisms, including both plants and animals, produce the energy necessary for survival. It involves the intake of oxygen to facilitate the chemical breakdown of nutrients like glucose at the cellular level, a process that releases energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). During this metabolic activity, carbon dioxide and water are generated as byproducts and subsequently expelled from the organism. While the physical mechanics differ—such as animals using lungs or gills and plants utilizing pores called stomata—the underlying biological process of exchanging gases to sustain life is termed respiration.

Explanation

A cynic is a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than honorable or unselfish reasons. Because of this skeptical outlook on human nature, a cynic frequently mocks or sneers at the sincerity, aims, and beliefs of others, doubting that any action is truly noble or disinterested.

Explanation

The phrase bottom rung of the ladder is a standard English idiom used to describe the lowest level of a hierarchy, profession, or organization. It metaphorically suggests that an individual is starting at the very beginning of a career path with the intention of climbing upward toward success. The word rung specifically refers to the horizontal steps of a ladder, making the original construction both linguistically and idiomatically accurate. Since the expression is used correctly in its conventional form, no changes are necessary.

Explanation

In legal contexts, the formal delivery of a judgment or verdict by a court official is best described using the verb pronounce. To pronounce a verdict means to formally and officially declare a legal decision after a trial or hearing. While give is common in informal speech, pronounce is the precise technical term used to indicate the official announcement made by a judge in a professional legal setting.

Explanation

The phrasal verb put out is the standard English expression used to mean extinguish or stop something from burning. In the context of fire service personnel dealing with a blaze, put out accurately describes the action of quenching the fire. The original term put off signifies postponing or delaying an event, which is semantically incorrect when referring to the physical act of firefighting.

Explanation

The standard idiomatic expression in English is to blow one's own trumpet, which means to boast or talk proudly about one's own achievements, talents, or successes. The word playing is not used in this fixed idiom; blowing is the correct verb that completes the metaphorical phrase used to describe self-promotion or bragging.

Explanation

The word forthwith is a formal adverb meaning immediately or without delay. In the context of a resignation necessitated by illness, the requirement is for the action to take place at once to ensure a smooth transition or because the individual is no longer capable of performing their duties. While impromptu refers to something done without prior preparation or rehearsal, such as a speech or performance, forthwith correctly conveys the urgency and official nature of the resignation from a formal position like a chairmanship.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that there is a growing parallel between India and Europe in terms of language policy. This relationship is defined by the shared challenge of maintaining a balance between regional and minority languages while addressing the rising demand for English. The European Union's policy promotes multilingualism by encouraging citizens to learn at least two foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue. In practice, this has led to a framework where English is treated as a basic skill starting from Class I and is increasingly used as a medium of instruction in bilingual schools and as a corporate language across various non-English speaking nations. This structural approach to managing linguistic diversity and the global influence of English mirrors the complexities found in the Indian linguistic landscape.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the European Union's language policy promotes the idea that every EU citizen should learn and speak at least two foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue. This objective of encouraging the acquisition and use of multiple languages beyond one's native speech is the definition of fostering multilingualism. While the text notes the practical dominance of English, the core aim of the official policy described is to ensure that individuals are proficient in at least three languages in total.

Explanation

The passage indicates that the rising demand for English within the European Union is fundamentally driven by its role in economic activities. It states that English has become the primary language of business throughout Europe and functions as the corporate language for many large enterprises in countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. This shift reflects the necessity of the language for conducting trade and commerce in an increasingly integrated regional and global economy, prompting educational systems to treat English as a basic skill rather than a foreign language.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the current trend across European schools is to begin teaching English as early as Class I. In this educational context, English is no longer treated merely as a foreign language but is instead regarded as a basic skill. This shift reflects the necessity of English in the modern European landscape, where it serves as the primary language for business and corporate communication across various member states.

Explanation

The provided passage explicitly states that the prevailing trend across Europe is for schools to begin teaching English starting from Class I. This approach signifies a fundamental shift in educational policy where English is treated as a basic skill essential for modern life rather than as a traditional foreign language. This trend, which gained significant momentum after the year 2000, aligns with the broader European Union objective of fostering multilingualism while recognizing the practical necessity of English as a dominant language for business and corporate communication across member states.

Explanation

The word labyrinth refers to a complex and intricate system of interconnecting paths or tunnels in which it is very difficult to find one's way or an exit. It is a direct synonym for a maze, describing a winding or convoluted arrangement of passages designed to confuse or challenge the navigator. Historically, the term originates from the elaborate structure built at Knossos in Greek mythology to house the Minotaur. In contemporary English, both words are used interchangeably to describe literal physical structures as well as metaphorical situations involving extreme complexity and confusion.

Explanation

Barren refers to land that is too poor to produce any vegetation or is biologically unproductive and sterile. Its direct opposite is fertile, which describes land or soil that is highly productive and capable of sustaining abundant plant growth or producing many crops.

Explanation

The word misogynous is an adjective used to describe someone who harbors a hatred or prejudice against women. It is derived from the Greek prefix miso-, which means hatred, combined with the Greek root gyne, meaning woman. In English orthography, terms derived from these Greek roots maintain specific spelling conventions where the prefix uses an i and the root pertaining to women uses a y, similar to the spelling found in misogyny or gynecology. Consequently, the standard and correct spelling of the term is misogynous.

Explanation

The sentence According to scientists, there are a lot of answers about it is grammatically sound. The introductory phrase According to scientists correctly attributes the information to a group of experts. The main clause uses the existential there construction with the plural verb are, which correctly agrees with the plural count noun answers. The quantifier a lot of is used appropriately in this context to indicate a large number. Finally, the preposition about is the standard choice to link answers to the subject matter it refers to. Because the sentence adheres to all rules of subject-verb agreement and prepositional usage, it contains no grammatical errors.

Explanation

The prepositional phrase used with the word direction should be in our direction rather than to our direction. While to indicates a specific destination or endpoint, the noun direction refers to the general course or line along which something moves, which requires the preposition in to be grammatically correct. Therefore, the phrase straight to our direction contains a prepositional error.