SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Rebuke means to express sharp, stern disapproval or criticism of someone because of their actions or behavior. Flattery refers to the act of giving excessive and often insincere praise or compliments, typically to please or gratify someone. Since rebuking involves harsh negative feedback while flattery involves positive (though potentially exaggerated) feedback, flattery serves as the appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The idiom Achilles heel originates from Greek mythology and refers to the hero Achilles. According to the legend, his mother dipped him in the River Styx to make him invulnerable, but she held him by his heel, leaving that one part of his body unprotected. Despite his immense strength and status as a nearly invincible warrior, he was eventually killed by a poisonous arrow that struck him in that specific spot. In modern English, the phrase is used to describe a singular point of vulnerability or a fatal weakness in a person, organization, or system that is otherwise strong and successful.

Explanation

The idiom beat around the bush refers to the act of speaking in an indirect and circular manner to avoid addressing a difficult or unpleasant topic directly. It implies that the speaker is discussing peripheral issues or providing unnecessary details while intentionally omitting the core subject or the most important facts of the matter. This expression is commonly used to describe situations where someone is being evasive or hesitant to get to the point.

Explanation

The verb spend follows a specific grammatical pattern when used with time or money: spend + time/money + V-ing (gerund). In this sentence, sightseeing already functions as the gerund that describes the activity being performed. Adding the word doing creates a redundant construction because the activity is already fully expressed by the gerund itself. Therefore, the most idiomatic and grammatically correct way to complete the sentence is to use sightseeing directly after the object time.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Active Voice and follows the Future Simple tense structure: Subject + will + Verb (base form) + Object. To convert this into the Passive Voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the verb form changes to: will be + Past Participle (Verb3). Following this rule, the direct object instructions is moved to the beginning of the sentence, the verb will give is transformed into will be given, and the original subject the director is introduced by the preposition by. This results in the correct passive structure: Instructions will be given to you by the director.

Explanation

The verb propose is followed by a to-infinitive when it is used to express an intention or a suggestion for a future action. In the given sentence, the subject is suggesting the act of meeting at a specific location. Using the to-infinitive form to meet correctly establishes the relationship between the suggestion and the intended action, following standard grammatical rules for verbs of intent and suggestion in English.

Explanation

The word hassle refers to a situation that causes difficulty, annoyance, or bother. It is defined as a tiresome or irritating inconvenience that requires unnecessary effort or causes frustration. In common usage, it describes minor but nagging problems or circumstances that disrupt one's ease, making it the precise substitute for the phrase provided.

Explanation

A penalty is a punishment or disadvantage officially imposed on someone for the breach of a law, rule, or contract. It functions as a legal or formal consequence of non-compliance and can take various forms, such as a monetary fine, loss of rights, or physical sanction. The term is standard in legal, administrative, and sports contexts to describe the specific retribution applied when an established regulation or agreement is violated.

Explanation

The word atrocious is the correct spelling of the adjective used to describe something extremely wicked, cruel, or of very poor quality. It originates from the Latin term atrox, meaning fierce or cruel. In English orthography, when forming adjectives that end in the shus sound where the root involves a c, the suffix -ious is typically employed. This follows the phonetic and morphological pattern seen in similar English words such as malicious or delicious. The spelling requires the use of the -ious ending to properly reflect its Latin roots and standard linguistic conventions for this class of adjectives.

Explanation

The word curvaceous is the correct spelling, meaning having a body with rounded, attractive curves. It is an adjective derived from the noun curve combined with the suffix -aceous, which is used in English to form adjectives that indicate a resemblance, quality, or character. Examples of this suffix usage include words like herbaceous or sebaceous. In the formation of curvaceous, the final e of curve is dropped before appending the suffix.

Explanation

The possessive adjective my at the end of the introductory phrase requires a noun to follow it, which is provided by the word place in segment X. This forms the idiomatic expression keep my place, meaning to maintain one's position in a queue or sequence. Segment X concludes with the adjective scrawny, which logically modifies the noun guy found at the beginning of segment Y. Segment Y ends with the adjective gelled, which specifically describes the noun hair starting segment Z. Following this XYZ order results in a grammatically coherent sentence: Now I just have to keep my place and not let that scrawny guy with gelled hair edge in front of me.

Explanation

The opening segment The idea of a standard time naturally pairs with zone in Y to form the common compound noun standard time zone. The predicate in Y states that this concept has become integral to our, which requires the noun lives in X to complete the prepositional phrase integral to our lives. Furthermore, the fragment in X ends with the preposition for, which is essential to complete the fixed idiomatic expression take it for granted starting in Z. This sequence creates a grammatically sound and logically coherent sentence describing how the human-made system of time zones is now perceived as a natural phenomenon.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Active Voice and uses the Simple Past Tense, which follows the structure: Subject + V2 (ate) + Object (six rots). To convert this into the Passive Voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The formula for the Simple Past Tense in passive voice is: New Subject + was/were + V3 (past participle) + by + Agent. Since the new subject 'six rots' is plural, the auxiliary verb 'were' is used along with the past participle 'eaten'. The prepositional phrase 'at dinner' is placed at the beginning of the sentence to maintain the contextual emphasis while following standard grammatical rules for voice transformation.

Explanation

When converting an interrogative sentence from direct to indirect speech, the reporting verb asked indicates a past tense context, which necessitates a backshift in the tense of the subordinate clause. The simple present verb is in the direct speech changes to the simple past was. Furthermore, the sentence structure must shift from an interrogative word order to an assertive word order, meaning the subject his name precedes the verb was. The second-person possessive adjective your is also updated to the third-person his to align with the object of the reporting verb, him.

Explanation

The sentence structure requires a subordinating conjunction that introduces a reason or a causal relationship. The clause regarding the low base of psychiatrists provides the justification for the subsequent claim that using general practitioners as the first line of contact is important. In this context, Since functions as a conjunction meaning because or given that. It effectively links the existing condition of a specialist shortage to the necessary consequence of relying on primary care providers to bridge the gap in mental health services.

Explanation

When converting a sentence from direct to indirect speech, the tense of the reported verb changes if the reporting verb is in the past tense. In this sentence, the reporting verb is asked, which is in the past tense. Consequently, the simple present verb makes in the direct speech shifts to the simple past made in the indirect speech. The second-person pronoun you is replaced by the third-person pronoun him to refer back to Manoj. Furthermore, the question format is converted into a statement form while retaining the question word what as the connector.

Explanation

The adverb enough is used to indicate a sufficient degree or level of a quality. In English grammar, when enough functions as an adverb modifying an adjective or another adverb, it must be placed immediately after the word it modifies. In the context of the passage, placing enough after the adjective confident correctly expresses that the general practitioners lack the required level of certainty in their training to effectively detect, diagnose, and manage mental health conditions.

Explanation

The preposition with is used here to indicate the means or instrument through which a specific result is achieved. In the context of the sentence, it introduces the requirement of a collective and organized attempt (a concerted effort) that enables the successful training of primary care physicians. This usage establishes a functional relationship where the effort is the condition or resource applied to reach the objective. Grammatically, starting the phrase with this preposition creates an adverbial modifier that explains the circumstances under which the physicians can be effectively trained to manage mental health disorders.

Explanation

The participle ranging is used to describe the extent or variety of mental health conditions that primary care physicians can be trained to manage. In English grammar, the phrase ranging from X to Y is a standard idiomatic construction employed to indicate a spectrum or a diverse set of items within a particular category. In this context, it effectively connects the broad classification of mild and severe problems to the specific examples provided, such as anxiety disorders, depression, and psychoses, illustrating the full scope of the medical training being discussed.

Explanation

The term substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. In the context of public health and mental health services, alcohol and substance abuse are frequently grouped together as major contributors to mental health conditions and behavioral disorders. Primary care physicians and psychiatrists prioritize the management of these conditions because they often co-occur with other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. The phrase alcohol and substance abuse is a standard clinical collocation used to describe the pattern of use that leads to significant clinical impairment or distress.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the initial discovery of the three planets was made using the Chile-based Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope. This confirms that the TRAPPIST telescope is located in Chile. The name of the exoplanet system, TRAPPIST-1, is derived from this specific telescope facility situated in the South American country.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that liquid water is a key to life as we know it on Earth. It highlights that the discovery of the seven exoplanets is significant because they all could possibly have liquid water, which is the primary factor mentioned in the text for the possibility of life. The habitable Goldilocks zone is defined by its distance from a star being just right to allow for the presence of liquid water on a planet's surface.

Explanation

The Goldilocks zone refers to the habitable region around a star where the distance is just right to allow for the presence of liquid water on a planet's surface. As stated in the passage, this zone is neither too close nor too far from the star, ensuring that temperatures are moderate rather than extreme. This specific positioning is critical because liquid water is a key requirement for life as it exists on Earth, and being in this zone provides the necessary environment for such conditions to occur.

Explanation

The passage specifies that the star in the TRAPPIST-1 system is a dwarf star that is much cooler than the Sun. This lower temperature and the associated dimness of the star make it easier for telescopes on Earth to record the transit of planets. When a planet passes in front of a dimmer, cooler star, the resulting reduction in light is more detectable than the transit of a planet across a much brighter, Sun-like star. This difference in luminosity and temperature is the primary reason the passage of these seven Earth-sized exoplanets could be effectively monitored and recorded.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that Only Earth has liquid water in the solar system. Within our solar system, Earth is the only planet that maintains stable bodies of liquid water on its surface. This is due to its position in the habitable zone, often referred to as the Goldilocks zone, where the distance from the Sun provides a temperature range that prevents water from being permanently frozen or completely evaporated. While scientists have identified water ice and potential subsurface oceans on certain moons, Earth is the sole planet known to possess the specific atmospheric and thermal conditions necessary for liquid water to exist openly on the surface.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the preposition beside in the first part of the sentence. To convey the meaning of agreeing with or following a plan or decision, the correct phrasal verb is go along with. The word beside typically refers to physical proximity, meaning next to or at the side of, which is contextually inappropriate here. Replacing beside with along creates the idiomatic expression went along with, which correctly indicates that the person cooperated with the decisions despite lingering doubts about his total agreement.

Explanation

The phrase the after morning is grammatically incorrect in English. When referring to the morning of the subsequent day, the standard idiomatic expressions are the next morning or the following morning. In this context, after functions incorrectly as an adjective; it should be replaced by next or following to properly modify the noun morning.

Explanation

The word perverse refers to a deliberate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable, unacceptable, or contrary to the accepted standard of what is right or natural. In psychology and literature, a perverse sense of enjoyment is a common collocation used to describe the distorted pleasure an individual derives from cruel, abnormal, or harmful activities, such as the maltreatment of animals. This term accurately captures the moral and psychological deviation inherent in the psychopath's behavior.

Explanation

The verb gesticulate refers to the act of using dramatic body movements, particularly with the hands and arms, to express or emphasize one's feelings or ideas. In the given sentence, Jaspal is expressing his anger through physical motions of his hands, which makes gesticulate the most appropriate word to describe his actions. This behavior is common when individuals experience strong emotions and use non-verbal cues to communicate their state of mind.

Explanation

To fossilize means to become fixed, rigid, or established in a permanent and unchanging form, often through a process of solidification or preservation. This term is used to describe something that has become hardened or set in its ways. The word amalgamate is used to represent the process of combining, uniting, or consolidating elements into a single, cohesive, and unified structure. Both words relate to the concept of bringing parts together to form a more stable, integrated, and permanent entity, reflecting a movement towards structural rigidity and consolidation.

Explanation

The word depict means to represent, portray, or describe something using words, images, or artistic expression. Characterize is a synonym because it involves describing the distinctive nature or specific features of someone or something, effectively portraying it to an audience. Both terms are used when providing a detailed representation or account of a subject's qualities.

Explanation

The word differ means to be unlike or to hold a different opinion. In the context of viewpoints and beliefs, it implies a state of disagreement or divergence. The word concur means to agree or to be of the same opinion. It represents a state of harmony or alignment in thought. Because concur describes the act of reaching an agreement or being in accord, it is the direct opposite of differ, which describes a lack of agreement or a variation in nature.

Explanation

The word salve refers to a medicinal ointment applied to soothe or heal the skin, or metaphorically to anything that provides comfort, relief, or eases a situation. It functions as a facilitating agent that promotes healing and reduces irritation. Conversely, a blockage represents an obstruction, barrier, or hindrance that prevents flow, movement, or progress. While a salve is intended to remedy or ease a condition, a blockage creates an impediment or a stoppage, making it the opposite in terms of facilitating versus obstructing a process.

Explanation

The idiom gnash your teeth refers to the physical act of grinding one's teeth together, which is a common physiological response to extreme anger, frustration, or deep resentment. It is frequently used in literature and formal English to describe a person who is visibly fuming or expressing intense rage over a situation they find intolerable or provocative.

Explanation

The idiom let something slip through one's fingers means to fail to seize or retain a valuable opportunity, chance, or advantage. It suggests that the opportunity was within a person's grasp or control, but they lost it due to carelessness, hesitation, or a lack of effort. The phrase creates a mental image of a physical object falling away because it was not held tightly enough, symbolizing the waste of a favorable situation that could have led to success or achievement.

Explanation

In the interrogative sentence "What would you like to do for your birthday?", the pronoun "What" functions as the direct object of the verb "do". Including the pronoun "it" creates a grammatical error known as a redundant object or double object, as the sentence already has an object in the form of the opening "What". The phrase "would like" is correctly followed by the to-infinitive form of the verb to express a preference or desire. Therefore, removing "it" provides the necessary correction for a grammatically accurate structure.

Explanation

The phrase requires a predicative adjective or a past participle to follow the modal construction must be to describe the state of the subject. Mistaken serves as the past participle of the verb mistake and functions as an adjective in this context, meaning to be wrong in opinion or judgment. This construction follows the standard English pattern where the subject is described as being in a specific state or condition.

Explanation

The term thorough describes an action, study, or investigation performed with great care and attention to every element involved. It signifies that a task is executed comprehensively, ensuring that no part is overlooked and all specifics are addressed. This directly corresponds to the definition of being complete with regard to every detail.

Explanation

Volition is the cognitive process by which an individual decides on and commits to a particular course of action. It is defined as the faculty or power of using one's own will to make choices or decisions. In psychological and philosophical terms, it represents the capacity for conscious choice and the exercise of free will in determining one's behavior or actions.

Explanation

The word juxtapose is a verb that means to place two or more things side by side, typically for the purpose of comparison or contrast. It is derived from the Latin preposition juxta, which means near or beside, and the French verb poser, meaning to place. The correct spelling is j-u-x-t-a-p-o-s-e, which accurately reflects its etymological roots and follows standard English orthography.

Explanation

The word amusement is the correct noun form of the verb amuse. It is formed by adding the suffix -ment to the root word. In English orthography, when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added to a word ending in a silent e, the e is generally retained. Following this rule, the combination of amuse and -ment results in the spelling a-m-u-s-e-m-e-n-t.

Explanation

The sentence follows a logical grammatical structure starting with the adverb of degree too, which requires an adjective to modify. Segment Z provides this adjective, dry, creating the phrase too dry for game. The concluding part of segment Z, with the exception, naturally pairs with the preposition of found at the beginning of segment X. This leads into the noun phrase a deadly-looking cobra or, which is completed by the word two in segment Y to form the idiomatic expression a [noun] or two. The final part of segment Y, we saw no reptiles, serves as the main clause that concludes the observation. Arranged as Z-X-Y, the sentence reads: Evidently it was too dry for game, and with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two we saw no reptiles.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the introductory phrase Some of these, which requires a noun to follow as the subject. Fragment Z provides this subject with the word rocks and the accompanying verb rise. The phrase rise to the in fragment Z necessitates a noun indicating a destination or level, which is provided by height in fragment X. Finally, the comparative phrase height of more than in fragment X is logically completed by the specific measurement 2000 feet above the sea found in fragment Y. Following the sequence Z-X-Y results in the coherent sentence: Some of these rocks rise to the height of more than 2000 feet above the sea.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Future Simple tense, which follows the active voice structure: Subject + will + Verb (base form) + Object. To transform this into the passive voice, the structure must change to: Object + will + be + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject. In this case, the object the car moves to the subject position, the auxiliary verb will be is added followed by the past participle washed, and the subject I becomes the object me after the preposition by. The adverbial phrase every Sunday maintains its position to indicate frequency, resulting in the correct passive construction.

Explanation

When converting an exclamatory and imperative sentence into indirect speech, the reporting verb is changed to reflect the intensity and intent of the statement, such as shouted. The imperative Catch him! is transformed into a to-infinitive clause to catch the thief. The repeated exclamation Thief! Thief! serves to identify the target, and in the indirect form, it is integrated into the action to clearly state who the watchman wanted the crowd to apprehend. This structure accurately reports the sense and the urgency of the original words.

Explanation

The passage specifies that Asif Husain Arastu belongs to the family that owned the famous A A Husain book store in Abids. While the books in the Falaknuma Palace library were collected by the Nizam's family over several decades, the text identifies Arastu as the professional hired to manage this collection rather than a member or descendant of the royal family itself.

Explanation

According to the provided text, the library at the Falaknuma Palace features a high roof specifically characterized by its walnut carvings. While other woods like rosewood and mahogany are mentioned in relation to the library's overall construction and furniture, the passage explicitly identifies walnut as the material used for the carved roof, which is described as an imitation of a ceiling at Windsor Castle.

Explanation

According to the passage, Asif Husain Arastu found a reference book titled 'How to paint grass' on his very first day serving as the librarian at the Taj Falaknuma Palace. The text explicitly names Alfred East as the author of this book, which was part of the vast collection of literature accumulated by the Nizam's family over several decades.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the library at the Falaknuma Palace contains a treasure trove of books collected by the Nizam's family over several decades. These books form a significant part of the palace's heritage, reflecting the literary interests and historical acquisitions of the Hyderabad royalty. The collection is so vast and specialized that the palace remained without a librarian for years until a suitable candidate was found to manage the volumes gathered by the family.

Explanation

The passage describes the library at the Falaknuma Palace as having several remarkable features, including rosewood and mahogany woodwork, furniture, and a walnut carved high roof. It explicitly states that the last item mentioned in this sequence, which is the walnut carved high roof, is supposedly an imitation of the roof at Windsor Castle.