SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The sentence structure requires the verb grabbing to be followed by the preposition at, found in segment Y, to form the idiomatic expression grabbing at. This identifies the target of the action as the halo of flies. Segment Z, which buzzed, serves as a relative clause that directly modifies the noun flies. The final segment X, cheerfully round my head, acts as an adverbial phrase describing the manner and location of the buzzing, thereby completing the logical and grammatical progression of the thought.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the phrase The investigations of the, which requires a subject to complete the prepositional phrase. Segment Y provides this by identifying the researchers, the physiologist and the psychologist. Once the subject phrase is established, the sentence requires a verb to denote the action taken; segment Z provides this with have revealed, followed by the object clause that the brain holds a. Finally, segment X provides the necessary noun phrase peculiar place in the economy of the body to complete the description of the brain's role. This sequence Y-Z-X forms a grammatically sound and logically coherent sentence.

Explanation

When converting direct speech to indirect speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense (said), the tense of the verb in the reported speech must change accordingly. The present perfect tense (has gone) changes into the past perfect tense (had gone). Furthermore, the comma and quotation marks are replaced by the conjunction that to join the reporting part with the reported part. Applying these rules, the sentence transforms into Akash said that Mahesh had gone home.

Explanation

The sentence employs an inverted grammatical structure where the phrase "the fact that there are many species and genera that are peculiar to the West" serves as the actual subject. The verb in this structure is "is." The word required for the blank is a predicative adjective that characterizes the nature of this "fact."

In English grammar, the present participle "interesting" is used as an adjective to describe something that causes a feeling of interest in others. Here, the fact itself is what causes interest for the observer (the rambler). Therefore, "interesting" correctly completes the predicate, indicating that the specific biological diversity of the West is the most interesting aspect to a person focused on avian lore.

Explanation

The transition word therefore is used to establish a logical link between a general statement and a specific illustration. The first sentence explains that the West contains many bird species and genera that are peculiar to the region and unfamiliar to observers. The following sentence provides a concrete example of this phenomenon by noting that one will not find the common blue jay in Colorado despite its abundance in the East. By using therefore, the author indicates that the specific situation in Colorado serves as a direct instance or consequence of the broader regional differences described in the preceding text.

Explanation

The preposition in is used to indicate a position within the boundaries of a specific geographical area, such as a city, state, or country. Since Colorado is a state, it functions as a defined territory, making in the grammatically correct choice to denote that the observation or search is occurring within its limits. This usage follows the standard linguistic convention for referencing large spatial volumes or administrative regions.

Explanation

The comparative word more is typically followed by than to form a comparison or an intensifying phrase. In this context, more than compensated is a standard idiomatic expression indicating that the benefit provided by the seven other species is greater than the loss of the common blue jay.

Explanation

The preposition of is used to indicate belonging, connection, or part-of-whole relationships. In this context, the text refers to seven different species that are members or parts of the jay household. Therefore, the phrase species of the jay household correctly establishes that these birds belong to that specific taxonomic or familial group. This usage aligns with standard English grammar for describing constituents within a defined category or family.

Explanation

The error lies in the second part of the sentence because next cannot function as a preposition on its own to describe position or movement relative to a noun like the street. It must be followed by the preposition to (next to the street) to indicate proximity. Alternatively, to describe the action of running, prepositions such as across, along, or down should be used to provide proper grammatical structure and meaning.

Explanation

The error lies in the third part of the sentence because it lacks the infinitive marker to. When using an adjective like careful followed by a negative action or purpose, the correct grammatical structure is adjective + not + to + base verb. In this context, the phrase careful not do soil should be corrected to careful not to soil. Here, soil functions as a verb meaning to make something dirty, and the infinitive form to soil is required to complete the idiomatic construction.

Explanation

The sentence requires a conjunction to introduce a noun clause that expresses a choice or doubt between two possibilities. The conjunction whether is used to introduce a clause that functions as the subject of the sentence, particularly when followed by the correlative phrase or not. In formal English, whether is the standard choice for introducing such alternative conditions, especially when the clause itself acts as the subject of the main verb is.

Explanation

In the context of formal meetings, committees, or legislative bodies, a quorum is the minimum number of members who must be present to make the proceedings of that meeting valid and to legally transact business. Since the sentence describes a requirement for a specific number of students to be present so that the Student Council can discuss topics, the term quorum is the technically accurate word for this minimum attendance threshold.

Explanation

Posterior is an anatomical and descriptive term used to denote a position toward the back or rear of a body or structure. The word dorsal similarly refers to the back or upper side of an organism. In biological and medical contexts, these terms are frequently used as synonyms to describe the rear-facing part of an organ or the body surface that corresponds to the back.

Explanation

Emphasis refers to the special importance, value, or prominence given to something to make it stand out or to show its necessity. Significance denotes the quality of being worthy of attention or having importance. Both words center on the concept of weightiness and importance in a particular context, making them synonymous in various linguistic applications where highlighting the value of a subject is required.

Explanation

Lambency refers to the quality of being lambent, which describes a soft, flickering, or gentle glow or radiance. It is often used to characterize light that plays over a surface or a subtle brilliance in expression. Dullness is the quality of lacking brightness, shine, or luster. Since it denotes a deficiency of light or vividness, it serves as the direct opposite to the radiant and glowing nature of lambency.

Explanation

The word turgid describes something that is swollen or inflated, often used figuratively to refer to language, style, or a person that is excessively pompous, bombastic, or overblown. Humble serves as the direct antonym in this context because it characterizes a style or demeanor that is modest, simple, and unassuming, lacking the inflated ego or pretentious complexity associated with being turgid.

Explanation

The idiom in bad taste refers to something that is socially unacceptable, rude, or offensive to others. It is typically used to describe remarks, jokes, or behaviors that lack propriety and fail to meet the standard levels of politeness or decorum required in a particular situation. When an action or comment is described as being in bad taste, it implies that it is insensitive or inappropriate given the context.

Explanation

The idiom once and for all is used to indicate that an action is being performed in a way that is final and permanent, ensuring that the situation will not need to be addressed or repeated in the future. It conveys the sense of bringing a matter to a definitive conclusion or settling a dispute or problem permanently. The phrase functions as an adverbial intensifier to emphasize that the current occurrence is the terminal one, effectively meaning now and for the last time or conclusively.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is shoes, which is a plural noun. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a plural subject must be followed by a plural verb. Additionally, the context requires the passive voice because the shoes are receiving the action of being covered by mud. The passive voice is constructed using the appropriate tense of the verb to be followed by the past participle of the main verb. For a plural subject in the past tense, the correct auxiliary verb is were and the past participle of cover is covered. Thus, were covered correctly completes the sentence.

Explanation

The sentence requires a finite verb to express a complete thought and describe the progression of a weather system. In meteorology, a tropical storm is a stage that precedes a hurricane; it undergoes a transformation into a hurricane once its maximum sustained wind speeds reach a specific threshold. Using the future tense will become provides the necessary verbal structure to indicate this transition or predicted development, making the sentence grammatically complete and factually logical.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically sound and factually accurate. It correctly employs the definite article the before the superlative adjective largest to specify a unique geographical feature. The term brackish water is used appropriately as a compound modifier for the noun lagoon, and the prepositional phrase in Asia correctly identifies the geographical scope. In English grammar, names of specific lakes or lagoons often appear without the definite article when the name stands alone as a proper noun, making the phrasing Chilika is the entirely acceptable.

Explanation

The term vengeful refers to a person who is inclined to seek revenge or is characterized by a desire to inflict harm in return for a perceived wrong, slight, or injury. It describes a mindset focused on retribution and getting even with someone who is believed to have caused harm or offense. This word is the direct adjective form of vengeance, which is the act of punishing someone for their past actions against oneself.

Explanation

Scarcity refers to the state of being scarce or the condition of having an insufficient amount of a resource to satisfy needs or demands. In economic and general contexts, it denotes a deficit or shortage where the available quantity of a commodity or service is less than what is required, directly corresponding to the phrase being in short supply.

Explanation

Scripture refers to the sacred writings of a religion, such as the Bible or the Quran. The term is derived from the Latin word scriptura, meaning a writing. The spelling follows the standard English convention of adding the suffix ure to the root script, which pertains to the act of writing. This suffix is typically used to form nouns that denote an act, state, or result. The spelling S-C-R-I-P-T-U-R-E is the standard form used in all variants of English.

Explanation

The word annoyance is a noun formed by adding the suffix -ance to the verb annoy. The spelling of the root verb annoy follows the standard English convention of using a double n, which is derived from the Old French word anoier. When the suffix -ance is appended to indicate the state or quality of being annoyed, the double n and the ending -ance are maintained, resulting in the correct spelling annoyance.

Explanation

The sentence structure begins with the adverb somewhat, which requires an adjective or a noun phrase to modify. Segment Y provides the adjective trying followed by the noun ordeal, creating the coherent opening phrase somewhat trying ordeal. The second half of segment Y introduces the conjunction but and the subject we, which necessitates a following verb phrase. Segment X contains the verb phrase carried it off as, which logically follows the subject to describe the action taken. Finally, segment Z provides best as we could, completing the idiomatic adverbial construction as best as we could. This sequence results in the grammatically and logically sound sentence: It was a somewhat trying ordeal, but we carried it off as best as we could.

Explanation

The sentence structure follows a logical grammatical progression where the relative pronoun which introduces a clause that describes the subject considerations. Fragment Y provides this description, stating which lead us to refer ideas to the brain. This completed subject phrase is then followed by the passive verb phrase are set forth in our found in fragment X. Finally, fragment Z completes the prepositional phrase by identifying the specific academic fields, physiologies and psychologies, as the location where these considerations are documented. When combined as YXZ, the sentence reads as a coherent statement about the scientific basis for linking mental ideas to biological brain functions.

Explanation

The active sentence is in the Simple Past tense, identified by the verb donated. To convert this into the passive voice, the object money becomes the new subject, followed by the auxiliary verb was (singular past tense of to be) and the past participle form of the verb donated. The adverb generously is placed before the main verb to qualify the action, and the original subject Omkar is introduced at the end of the sentence as the agent preceded by the preposition by.

Explanation

When converting an interrogative sentence from direct to indirect speech, the reporting verb said to is changed to enquired of or asked. The second person pronoun you refers to the visitor and therefore changes to he. Since the reporting verb is in the past tense, the verbs in the quoted speech must undergo a tense shift from the present simple to the past simple, changing are to was and do come to came. Additionally, the interrogative word order is replaced by the assertive word order, meaning the subject precedes the verb. The question words who and where act as connectors, so no additional conjunction is used.

Explanation

The sentence requires a passive construction to describe how yoga is perceived or viewed by the public. In English grammar, the auxiliary verb being is followed by the past participle (V3) of the main verb to form the passive voice or to describe a state. Seen is the past participle form of the verb see. Therefore, the phrase being seen correctly conveys that yoga is frequently regarded or characterized in extreme ways.

Explanation

The sentence describes two extremes of a range using the standard idiomatic construction at one end of the spectrum... and the other. This structure is used to contrast two different sides or aspects of a situation. In the passage, the first extreme consists of yogis in pretzel-like contortions, which is introduced by the phrase at one end, while the subsequent part of the sentence describes the contrasting group at the other end. Therefore, the determiner one is required to properly establish the first point of reference in this comparison.

Explanation

The error lies in the first part of the sentence where the word upside is used incorrectly as a preposition. In the context of ascending a physical structure like a mountain, the correct preposition is up. Upside typically functions as a noun referring to the upper side of something or the positive aspect of a situation, whereas up denotes movement toward a higher position or level. Replacing upside with up ensures the sentence correctly describes the act of ascending the mountains.

Explanation

The sentence describes two contrasting extremes of a spectrum. The preposition at is used to indicate a specific point or position on a scale or range. In the context of describing the boundaries or terminals of a spectrum, the idiomatic structure at one end... at the other is standard English usage. The preposition establishes the location of the young Instagram-led posers at the opposite extremity from the contorted yogis mentioned in the first part of the comparison.

Explanation

The sentence requires a noun to serve as the direct object of the transitive verb gain. In the context of physical training and yoga, lengthening muscles is a process intended to increase the range of motion in joints. The standard English noun used to describe this physical quality is flexibility. The choice is further supported by the parallel structure in the second half of the sentence, which uses the adjective hyper-flexible to describe the same physical attribute in a different type of practitioner. Grammatically, the word completes the phrase by defining the specific benefit a runner seeks through the practice.

Explanation

The sentence requires the gerund form of the verb to follow the preposition of. In English grammar, when a verb follows a preposition, it must be in the -ing form to function as the object of that preposition. The phrase a way of describes the method or process, and the gerund enhancing serves as the noun-equivalent required to complete the prepositional phrase correctly.

Explanation

The sentence requires an adjective to modify the noun understandings. Tacit is an adjective meaning implied or understood without being stated, and it correctly fits the grammatical structure the [adjective] understandings. Options A and D are adverbs, while option C refers to a person's reserved nature, making them contextually or grammatically incorrect.

Explanation

The sentence structure requires a noun to follow the prepositional phrase a sense of. In English grammar, the construction a sense of is typically completed by a noun or a noun phrase to denote a specific state, feeling, or quality. Familiarity is the noun form of the root word, representing the state of being well-acquainted with or having a good knowledge of something. In the context of the sentence, repetition leads to a state of being acquainted with the characters, making the noun familiarity the grammatically and semantically appropriate choice to function as the object of the preposition.

Explanation

The word incensed is derived from the Latin incendere, meaning to set on fire, and is used to describe someone who is extremely angry or enraged. Exasperated refers to a state of being intensely irritated, frustrated, or provoked to the point of anger. In the context of emotional intensity and negative reaction, exasperated is the most similar term as it describes a strong feeling of annoyance and displeasure resulting from an offensive or tiresome situation. Both words capture a high degree of agitation where an individuals patience has been exhausted.

Explanation

The word transcend means to rise above, go beyond, or surpass the ordinary limits of something. It is often used to describe excelling or being superior in quality or achievement. Similarly, eclipse in a figurative sense means to outshine, surpass, or be significantly better than someone or something else. Both terms share the core meaning of exceeding a certain standard or performing at a level that moves beyond a previous benchmark or competitor.

Explanation

The word incapacitate means to deprive someone of their natural power, strength, or ability to function, effectively disabling them or making them unfit for a task. In contrast, facilitate means to make an action or process easy or easier, or to help the progress of something. While incapacitating someone creates a physical or functional barrier that prevents activity, facilitating involves removing obstacles and providing the assistance needed to enable action. Because facilitate describes the act of assisting or making something possible, it serves as the direct opposite of incapacitating, which involves hindering or preventing possibility.

Explanation

Sentience refers to the capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively, representing a state of sensory awareness and responsiveness to one's environment. Disregard is the act of ignoring, neglecting, or paying no attention to something. While sentience involves being conscious and receptive to stimuli, disregard signifies a lack of attention or a failure to acknowledge information or sensations, thus serving as an opposite in terms of cognitive or sensory engagement.

Explanation

The idiom rat race refers to a modern way of life characterized by an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit of wealth and power. It specifically describes a situation in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle to get ahead of others in their professional or social lives. The phrase evokes the imagery of laboratory rats racing through a maze or running on a wheel, symbolizing a frantic and exhausting competition where individuals work excessively hard to achieve success, often at the expense of their well-being or personal time.

Explanation

The error is in the second part of the sentence because the word close requires the preposition to when indicating physical proximity to a person or object. In English grammar, the phrase sat close him is incorrect; it must be sat close to him to properly connect the adverbial description to the pronoun. The omission of this preposition makes the construction ungrammatical.

Explanation

The error lies in the second part of the sentence where the phrase brush side me is used. The word side is used incorrectly here because it cannot function as a preposition to connect the verb brush with the pronoun me. In English, to describe an object or animal moving closely and touching someone as it passes, the appropriate prepositional phrase is brush against or brush past. Therefore, the segment should be corrected to a big cat brush past me or a big cat brush against me to establish the correct grammatical relationship between the action and the person experiencing it.

Explanation

The idiom spin one's wheels is a metaphor derived from a vehicle whose tires rotate rapidly in mud, snow, or sand without gaining the necessary traction to move the vehicle forward. In a figurative sense, it describes a situation where an individual puts forth a great deal of effort, energy, or time into an endeavor but fails to make any progress or achieve a desired result. It signifies being active or busy without being productive, essentially wasting resources on a task that is going nowhere.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression nothing but functions as a synonym for only or just. In this grammatical construction, the word but acts as a preposition meaning except. The verb phrase has done requires a direct object to complete the sense of the sentence, and the pronoun nothing fulfills this role to indicate that no other actions were taken. Using this structure emphasizes that wallowing in self-pity is the sole activity the subject has engaged in since losing her job. This is a standard English syntax used to highlight the exclusivity of an action or behavior.

Explanation

The adverb wistfully describes the act of thinking about the past with a feeling of vague or regretful longing. In the context of recalling childhood memories and pleasant summers spent at a grandfather's farm, it conveys the sense of nostalgia and emotional connection the speaker feels toward those bygone days. This term is specifically used to characterize the pensive and sentimental reflection on one's personal history or cherished experiences that have since passed.

Explanation

Pillage refers to the act of stripping a place of its valuables or robbing it using violence, typically occurring during times of war or civil unrest. Desecrate means to treat a sacred place or object with violent disrespect or to violate its sanctity. Both terms are used to describe the forceful violation, ruin, or maltreatment of a location or property, making them similar in the context of inflicting damage and showing a complete lack of respect for the integrity of a site.

Explanation

A cluster is defined as a group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together. Similarly, an assemblage refers to a collection or gathering of things or people into a group or whole. Both terms convey the core idea of a collection of items or individuals brought together in one place or forming a single unit. Therefore, assemblage is a direct synonym, as it mirrors the concept of a collective grouping or gathering inherent in the word cluster.

Explanation

A rampart is a defensive wall or a raised bank of earth surrounding a castle, fort, or city, designed to provide elevation and protection against attacks. In the context of fortifications and physical structures, the word ditch refers to a long, narrow trench or excavation dug into the ground. Since a rampart is an elevated, upward construction and a ditch is a sunken, downward depression, they represent opposite physical features in defensive architecture.