SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The passage explicitly links the expectation of La La Land's success to the demographic composition of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It states that because a majority of the voters are actors, there was a general tendency to believe they would reward a film that celebrates the act of creation and the life of performers. The assumption was based on the idea that the voting body would naturally favor a story that mirrors their own professional passions and the romanticized struggle of artists.

Explanation

According to the passage, while discussing the various winners and the underlying themes of the films rewarded at the Oscars, the text explicitly states that Hacksaw Ridge won in two categories. The passage describes the film as an anti-guns movie and highlights its success by specifically mentioning the count of its awards, whereas other mentioned films like Arrival, Fences, and Moonlight are noted for winning in single specific categories such as Best Sound Editing, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor respectively.

Explanation

The error is in the first part of the sentence because the adverb then is used incorrectly in this context. The standard idiomatic expression to indicate that something happened in the recent past is not too long ago. While then refers to a specific point in time previously mentioned, ago is used to measure time back from the present moment. Since the sentence is establishing a timeframe for when the lodge was the only accommodation available, the word ago is required to properly modify the duration.

Explanation

The error lies in the second part of the sentence where the preposition of is used incorrectly. The standard English idiom is put pen to paper, which means to start writing or to begin the process of recording thoughts. In this expression, the preposition to correctly indicates the direction or application of the pen onto the surface of the paper. Replacing of with to is necessary to maintain idiomatic accuracy in the sentence.

Explanation

In the given sentence, the blank follows the definite article the and precedes a prepositional phrase. This grammatical structure necessitates the use of a noun to function as the head of the noun phrase and the direct object of the verb sensed. Beauty is the abstract noun form that correctly identifies the quality or intellectual excellence of the argument, fitting the context perfectly.

Explanation

The sentence requires an adverb to modify the verb "turned." Among the given options, "beautifully" is the only adverb that fits grammatically to describe the manner in which the action is performed.

Explanation

Drivel refers to nonsense or meaningless and foolish talk. It is often used to describe speech or writing that lacks substance or is considered trivial and silly. Blather is a direct synonym, as it means to talk long-windedly without making much sense or to engage in idle, empty chatter. Both terms convey the idea of communication that is vacuous or pointless.

Explanation

Perseverance refers to the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim or purpose despite difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It implies a steady persistence and steadfastness in a course of action. Endurance is similar in meaning as it signifies the capacity to withstand hardship or adversity and the mental or physical strength to continue a prolonged stressful effort without giving up. Both terms describe the tenacity required to maintain a task or state until a goal is reached.

Explanation

Hazardous refers to something that is full of risk, danger, or uncertainty. The term secure describes a state of being free from danger, risk, or threat, providing safety and stability. Since hazardous implies a lack of safety and a presence of peril, secure acts as its direct opposite by signifying a protected and risk-free condition.

Explanation

Advocacy refers to the act of publicly supporting, recommending, or pleading for a particular cause, policy, or idea. It involves active promotion and backing to ensure that a specific proposal is adopted or a goal is achieved. Discouragement is the opposite of this process, as it involves the act of dissuading, deterring, or expressing disapproval to prevent a cause from moving forward or to dampen the enthusiasm and support for it.

Explanation

The error in the second part of the sentence lies in the incorrect use of the preposition around. In English grammar, when something is being distributed or shared within a group of more than two people, the preposition among must be used. The verb divide is typically followed by among to indicate distribution within a collective group like the sailors. The word around implies physical surrounding or approximate location, which does not fit the context of sharing money. Therefore, around should be replaced with among to make the sentence grammatically correct.

Explanation

The error lies in the third part of the sentence because the preposition of is used incorrectly. The standard idiomatic expression is off the hook, which means to be released from a difficult situation, responsibility, or blame. The word off with a double f is required here to indicate detachment or release from the figurative hook, whereas of is a preposition typically used to show belonging or connection.

Explanation

The verb haul means to pull or drag a heavy object with significant effort or force. In the context of removing a large, fallen tree from a yard, it accurately describes the strenuous physical labor required by several men to move such a bulky and weighty mass from one location to another.

Explanation

The word feat refers to an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength. In the context of the sentence, writing a forty-page essay in a single night is a task that demands extraordinary effort, endurance, and mental stamina. Such a significant accomplishment is accurately described as a huge feat.

Explanation

The word whine refers to the act of complaining in a persistent, high-pitched, or childish manner, often expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance. Similarly, the word gripe means to complain about something in a nagging or irritating way. Both terms are used to describe the expression of grievances or discontent, particularly when the complaining is perceived as tiresome or trivial. While whine can also refer to a specific sound, in the context of human behavior and speech, it is a direct synonym for griping or grumbling.

Explanation

Requisite refers to something that is made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations, or something that is essential for the achievement of a specific end. Similarly, a precondition is a requirement or a condition that must be fulfilled before other things can happen or be done. Both words denote a necessary requirement or a fundamental starting point that must exist for a subsequent action or goal to be realized.

Explanation

To dominate means to exercise control, power, or mastery over others, or to be the most influential and commanding figure in a situation. It involves asserting authority and directing the actions of others from a position of strength. Conversely, surrender means to cease resistance to an opponent, give up control, and submit to the authority or power of another. Because dominate represents the act of ruling or controlling, while surrender represents the act of yielding or relinquishing power, the two words are opposite in meaning.

Explanation

The idiom put one's foot down means to assert one's authority or to take a very firm stand in order to stop something from happening or to insist on a particular course of action. It is commonly used when a person decides to be resolute and unyielding, especially in response to opposition, disobedience, or a situation that has become unacceptable. The phrase evokes the image of someone planting their foot firmly on the ground to resist being pushed or to signal that they will not move from their position.

Explanation

Squander means to waste money, time, or an opportunity in a reckless and foolish manner, typically leading to the depletion of resources. In direct contrast, hoard means to accumulate and store away money, food, or other valued objects for future use, often excessively or secretly. While squandering involves the careless dispersion of assets, hoarding involves their preservation and collection, making it the antonym.

Explanation

The idiom go for a song describes a situation where an item is sold or purchased for a very low price, often much less than its actual or intrinsic value. It implies that the transaction was an extreme bargain for the buyer. The phrase likely originates from the 16th century, referring to the practice of selling printed sheets of popular songs or ballads for a mere copper coin, suggesting that the item in question is being traded for a negligible amount of money.

Explanation

In English grammar, when a verb follows a preposition, it must be in the gerund form, which ends in -ing. In this sentence, for is a preposition used to indicate the reason for the expression of gratitude. Therefore, the verb invite must take the gerund form inviting to correctly serve as the object of the preposition.

Explanation

The modal verb must is always followed by the base form of a verb. To express a strong logical deduction or a state in the past, the perfect infinitive construction must have been is used. In this structure, have serves as the base form auxiliary required by the modal, followed by the past participle been. This grammatical pattern is used to indicate that the speaker is certain or almost certain about a past situation based on available evidence.

Explanation

The word tortuous is derived from the Latin term tortuosus, which means full of twists or turns. It is used to describe a path, road, or stream that is winding and crooked rather than straight. Beyond physical descriptions, it is also frequently applied to processes, arguments, or legal proceedings that are excessively complex, lengthy, and indirect.

Explanation

Witchery refers specifically to the practice of magic or the use of supernatural powers. The term encompasses the exercise of sorcery, witchcraft, or enchantments to influence people or events. It is derived from the word witch and traditionally describes the activities, skills, or charms associated with magical practices.

Explanation

The word undulate is correctly spelled as it originates from the Latin term undulatus, which stems from unda, meaning wave. It functions as a verb meaning to move in a smooth wavelike motion and as an adjective describing a wavy surface or edge. The spelling begins with the letter u and follows the standard English suffix pattern ate for verbs derived from Latin participles. It is commonly used in physical geography to describe rolling hills or in biology to describe the movement of certain membranes or organisms.

Explanation

The word revellers is the plural form of reveller, which refers to people who are enjoying themselves in a lively and noisy way, typically involving drinking and dancing. The term is derived from the root word revel. In British English spelling, when a suffix beginning with a vowel is added to a verb ending in a single vowel followed by the letter l, the l is doubled regardless of whether the final syllable is stressed. Therefore, the base word revel takes the double l before adding the suffix -ers, resulting in the correct spelling revellers.

Explanation

The sentence construction follows a logical grammatical and thematic flow starting with the transitive verb flung. The verb flung requires an object, which is provided by the reflexive pronoun ourselves in segment Z, creating the phrase flung ourselves down on the. The definite article the at the end of segment Z must be followed by a noun, which is found in segment Y as sand. This segment also adds the descriptive phrase thoroughly tired out and ends with the conjunction and. This conjunction then links the previous actions to the final result found in segment X, soon were all asleep. The complete coherent sentence is: We drank a little and flung ourselves down on the sand, thoroughly tired out, and soon were all asleep.

Explanation

The idiom whistle in the dark refers to the act of putting on a show of bravery or optimism in a frightening, uncertain, or dangerous situation. It originates from the literal practice of whistling to keep one's spirits up while walking through a dark or scary place. Figuratively, it describes a person attempting to hide their fear or anxiety by feigning confidence, often in an effort to reassure themselves or others that they are unafraid despite the presence of a real or perceived threat.

Explanation

The opening phrase Aqueous rocks of equal requires a noun to complete the subject, making Z the logical continuation as it provides the term antiquity followed by the verb phrase extend for hundreds of miles. This distance is then geographically qualified by Y, which specifies the location over the lake-district of North America. The conjunction and at the end of segment Y serves to link the first observation about the extent of the rocks to a second observation provided in X, which describes how they exhibit in like manner a stratification nearly undisturbed. This sequence ZYX forms a coherent sentence where the geological age, physical extent, location, and structural characteristics are presented in a natural order.

Explanation

The original sentence follows the structure of Subject + is required + Infinitive + Object. To transform this sentence while maintaining the passive construction of the main verb, the object of the infinitive phrase, a video tutorial, becomes the new subject. The active infinitive to watch is converted into its passive counterpart to be watched. The original subject, the class, is then introduced using the preposition by. This shift results in the structure: A video tutorial + is required + to be watched + by the class, which preserves the original meaning and grammatical requirement of the sentence.

Explanation

The text explicitly states that despite the play's focus on the region of Telangana, the native essence was compromised because of the decision to use an English rendition. While the use of English was intended to ensure a wider reach for the production, this linguistic choice resulted in jaded lines and literal translations that diminished the original cultural spirit and regional character of the story.

Explanation

The passage explicitly identifies the distinguishing factor of the musical play The Way Across by stating that while many works have explored the life of Gautama Buddha, what made this production unique was its regional focus. The play was adapted from the book Telangana lo Buddhism and specifically centered on the journey of the Brahmin Bawari and his sixteen disciples within the Telangana region. It highlights historical and spiritual narratives specific to that area, such as the character Pingiya propagating Buddhism from Telangana to various parts of South India, thereby providing a localized perspective on Buddhist history that is distinct from broader biographical depictions.

Explanation

According to the text describing the musical play The Way Across, the production focuses on the enlightenment of a cursed Brahmin named Bawari. The passage explicitly identifies the performers and their respective roles, stating that Kiran Kumar performed the Bawari act, which was noted as one of the performances that grabbed the attention of the audience.

Explanation

The musical play The Way Across, directed by G. Kumara Swamy and adapted from the book Telangana lo Buddhism, identifies Pingiya as a key figure in the historical spread of the faith. According to the text, the character of Pingiya, portrayed by Krishna Chaitanya Joshi in the play, is said to have propagated Buddhism from the Telangana region to various other regions across South India. This regional focus highlights Pingiya's specific role in expanding the reach of Buddhist teachings beyond their initial points of entry in the Deccan.

Explanation

The provided text explicitly states that the musical play The Way Across was directed by G. Kumara Swamy. The production was adapted from the book Telangana lo Buddhism and focused on the spiritual enlightenment of a Brahmin named Bawari and his sixteen disciples. While the play utilized modern techniques like projector visuals and shadow play to lend authenticity to the theme, the direction by G. Kumara Swamy centered on the regional spread of Buddhist philosophy from Telangana to other parts of South India.

Explanation

The sentence requires the present perfect tense to describe a state of mind or a recurring thought that began in the past and continues to the present moment. The grammatical structure for the present perfect tense is Subject + have/has + past participle (V3). Since the subject is the first-person pronoun I, the auxiliary verb have is used. The adverb always is correctly placed between the auxiliary verb and the past participle wondered to indicate the continuity and frequency of the action. This construction accurately conveys that the speaker has maintained this curiosity over a period of time leading up to the present.

Explanation

The sentence follows the rule of parallelism, where verbs connected by a coordinating conjunction like and must maintain consistent tense. Since the first verb loaded is in the simple past tense, the subsequent verb describing the action taken by the same subject must also be in the simple past tense. Therefore, returns must be changed to returned to match the historical narrative established at the beginning of the sentence.

Explanation

Depreciate means to lose value or decline in price over a period of time. It is a term frequently used in economics and accounting to describe how physical assets, such as machinery, vehicles, or property, decrease in monetary worth due to factors like wear and tear, age, or obsolescence. The process represents the gradual reduction of an asset's recorded cost until the value is zero or negligible.

Explanation

The term sterile refers to an individual, animal, or plant that is biologically incapable of producing offspring or fruit. In a clinical context, it signifies a complete and permanent inability to conceive or reproduce, distinguishing it from temporary forms of infertility. The word is derived from Latin roots meaning barren or unproductive.

Explanation

The word loopholes is a compound noun formed by joining the words loop and holes. It refers to an ambiguity or inadequacy in the design of a system, law, or set of rules that can be exploited to evade its intended purpose. The spelling accurately combines both root words without any modification to their individual structures.

Explanation

The word wherefore is an adverb and conjunction used to mean for what reason or for which reason. It is a compound word derived from where and fore. In English orthography, the spelling wherefore retains the silent e from both of its constituent parts, accurately reflecting its Middle English origins. It is frequently encountered in formal or archaic contexts, such as in legal documents or classical literature.

Explanation

The verb mean in the introductory phrase requires a complement, which is provided by the infinitive phrase to indicate in segment Y. Within segment Y, the noun phrase the relation functions as a subject that requires a predicate to complete its thought. This predicate is found in segment Z, which begins with is any the less uniform or dependable. Finally, segment X contains a subordinate adverbial clause starting with when, which provides the necessary context for the statement. Placing this clause at the end of the sentence following the YZ sequence results in a clear and logically structured sentence: He does not mean to indicate that the relation is any the less uniform or dependable when he denies that it is causal.

Explanation

The error lies in the second part of the sentence where the preposition to is used incorrectly. The standard idiomatic expression in English is for the good of, which means for the benefit, advantage, or well-being of someone or something. In this context, the freedom fighters were working for the benefit of the masses, requiring the preposition for instead of to. Therefore, the corrected phrase should be for the good of.

Explanation

The paragraph is constructed using the correlative structure not only... also to connect two different attributes of the people in the city. The word capacity in fragment Y immediately follows the word buying in the opening phrase to form the compound noun buying capacity. Fragment Y then transitions to the second clause by mentioning people here are. Fragment Z continues this thought by using the word also to complete the correlative pair and ends with the preposition about. Fragment X provides the logical objects environment and health for that preposition, resulting in a grammatically sound and coherent sentence.

Explanation

The sentence follows the rule of sequence of tenses, which dictates that if the principal clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clauses must also be in the past tense. Here, the verbs was and found establish the sentence in the past. Therefore, the present tense verb are in the final part must be changed to the past tense were to maintain grammatical consistency and correctly reflect that the state of being away occurred at the same time as the father's discovery.

Explanation

The word prompt functions as an adjective meaning done at once or without delay. In the context of professional correspondence, providing all necessary and pertinent details in an initial email allows the recipient to process the request immediately without needing to ask follow-up questions for clarification. This completeness directly facilitates a quick and timely response, making prompt the most logically and contextually appropriate choice to describe the desired reply.

Explanation

In this context, spectrum refers to a broad range or variety of related ideas, opinions, or objects. The phrase a wide spectrum of feedback is a standard idiomatic expression used to indicate that the survey gathered a diverse and comprehensive array of responses, covering everything from highly positive to negative critiques across various categories.

Explanation

The word ravage means to cause severe and extensive destruction, devastation, or harm to something. It is typically used to describe the damaging effects of war, natural disasters, or the passage of time on a physical structure or landscape. Damage is a direct synonym as it refers to the physical harm caused to something which impairs its value, usefulness, or normal function. Both terms share the core meaning of inflicting injury or ruin upon an object or area.

Explanation

The word ravish means to fill someone with intense delight, enchantment, or to enrapture them. It describes a state of being completely overwhelmed or carried away by beauty, charm, or pleasure. Similarly, enthrall means to capture the fascinated attention of someone or to fascinate them to the point of being spellbound. Both terms convey the idea of being deeply captivated or charmed by something, making them synonyms in the context of intense fascination.

Explanation

The word rebate refers to a partial refund or a reduction in the amount to be paid for a service, tax, or product. It functions as a discount or a subtraction from a total sum. Its antonym must represent an addition or an augmentation of value. Increase signifies a rise in size, amount, or degree, which directly contradicts the concept of a reduction or refund represented by a rebate.