SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word few is used with plural countable nouns to convey a negative sense, meaning hardly any or not enough. In the context of the sentence, the second clause indicates a necessity to purchase books from the market, which implies that the current number of computer science books in the library is insufficient. Therefore, the quantifier few correctly expresses this deficiency.

Explanation

The term atrocity refers to an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury. It denotes a state of shocking cruelty or a heinous crime against humanity. Barbarity is synonymous with this meaning, as it represents savage cruelty, extreme brutality, or an utter lack of civilization and compassion. Both words are used to describe actions that are exceptionally harsh, inhumane, and morally reprehensible, often occurring in the context of war, oppression, or violent conflict.

Explanation

Procrastinate is a verb that means to delay or postpone action, or to put off doing something until a later time. It originates from the Latin term procrastinare, which combines pro, meaning forward, and crastinus, meaning of tomorrow. In general usage, it refers to the habit of stalling or deferring tasks that require immediate attention.

Explanation

The word raucous describes a sound that is unpleasantly loud, harsh, or grating, often used to characterize voices or environments that are rowdy and disorderly. In contrast, the word dulcet refers to a sound that is sweet, pleasant, and soothing to the ear. Because dulcet signifies a melodic and harmonious quality that is the direct opposite of a harsh and discordant noise, it serves as the antonym for raucous.

Explanation

Predilection refers to a natural liking, preference, or a bias in favor of something. Enmity represents a state of being an enemy or a feeling of deep-seated ill will, active opposition, or hostility. While predilection implies a positive attraction or leaning toward someone or something, enmity signifies a strong negative feeling or repulsion, making it the most appropriate opposite among the given choices.

Explanation

The idiom a wild goose chase refers to a pursuit that is unlikely to succeed or is a complete waste of time. It describes a search or endeavor conducted for something that is either non-existent or impossible to find, rendering the effort pointless and resulting in a useless search.

Explanation

The idiom a moot point refers to a subject or issue that is open to argument, debate, or uncertainty. It originates from the legal tradition of moot courts, where law students practice arguing hypothetical or unsettled cases. Therefore, a moot point signifies a matter that has not been definitively decided and remains a subject of dispute or academic discussion. In common usage, it describes something that is debatable or lacks a single, settled answer.

Explanation

The verb appoint describes the act of assigning a person to a job or position of responsibility. In English grammar, it is grammatically acceptable to follow this verb with the preposition as to specify the role or capacity being filled. The phrase as a secretary correctly identifies the professional function the appointment entails. The use of the indefinite article a is appropriate here as it precedes the singular countable noun secretary, which identifies the category of position she has attained. This construction clearly expresses the relationship between the appointment and the designated role, making the original sentence structurally sound.

Explanation

The sentence expresses a hypothetical wish or a condition that is contrary to fact in the present. In such subjunctive mood constructions, the verb were is used for all subjects regardless of person or number. Therefore, after the expression I wish, the past subjunctive were is grammatically required to denote an unreal or imaginary situation.

Explanation

The term emeritus refers to an individual, such as a professor, bishop, or high-ranking official, who has retired or been honourably discharged from their professional duties but is permitted to retain their title as an honorary distinction. It is derived from the Latin word emereri, which means to earn one's discharge through service. This designation signifies that the person has completed their tenure with distinction and continues to hold a symbolic rank within their former institution or organization.

Explanation

A hallucination is a sensory experience that appears real to the person experiencing it but is created entirely by the mind. It is characterized by a perception in the absence of any external stimulus, meaning there is no objective physical reality for what is being seen, heard, felt, or smelled. Unlike a misinterpretation of an existing object, a hallucination occurs when the brain generates a vivid perception without any sensory input from the environment. This makes it the precise term for a perception that lacks objective reality.

Explanation

The word Peity is incorrectly spelt. The correct spelling is Piety, which refers to the quality of being religious or reverent. It originates from the Latin word pietas and follows the spelling convention where the letter i precedes the letter e in this specific root.

Explanation

Sentence R serves as the thematic anchor of the paragraph, presenting the primary argument that a blanket ban on defection would undermine democracy rather than strengthen it. Sentences P and S form a logical sub-unit of concessions where the author acknowledges specific criticisms regarding the current state of political defection. The parallel construction of Granted in P and Granted also in S establishes a clear additive relationship between these two points, admiting that defection is often opportunistic and that current legal thresholds for splits are illogical. Finally, sentence Q acts as the concluding synthesis by employing the transition Yet to shift the focus back to the core principle. It reconciles the flaws acknowledged in P and S with the overarching value of the right to dissent, which is the functional basis of the democracy mentioned in the opening statement.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression from internal realization to external improvement. Sentence R sets the theme by suggesting we view our reactions to others as mirrors of our own inner selves. Sentence P develops this idea by identifying the struggle to recognize these inner traits as the true path toward forgiveness. Sentence S then addresses the issues discovered through this process, noting that identifying them allows one to work on self-forgiveness. Sentence Q provides the concluding result, explaining that this internal work automatically improves relationships with others and leads to a better emotional state.

Explanation

The active sentence contains a participial phrase After driving followed by a main clause in the Simple Past tense. To convert this into the passive voice, the active gerund driving is transformed into the passive gerund form being driven. Dr. Bose, who was the object receiving the actions in the active voice, becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Consequently, the active verb dropped is converted into the passive form was dropped. This structure ensures that Dr. Bose is correctly identified as the recipient of both the driving and the dropping actions.

Explanation

When a sentence in direct speech starts with let us to express a suggestion or proposal, the reporting verb said to is changed to suggested to or proposed to. The conjunction that is used to connect the reporting clause with the reported speech. The phrase let us is converted into we should or they should depending on whether the speaker is part of the group; here, the speaker I is included, so we should is used. The rest of the sentence follows in its base form, resulting in the structure I suggested to my friends that we should go to a picnic for a change.

Explanation

The word medium refers to a means or agency through which something is communicated or expressed. In the context of the sentence, literature acts as the vehicle or instrument that allows an individual to articulate their thoughts, convey specific ideas, or voice protests against societal norms. The use of the preposition through following the blank confirms that literature is being defined as the channel for this creative and intellectual communication.

Explanation

The verb protest is idiomatically followed by the preposition against when it is used to express a formal objection or a gesture of disapproval toward a specific action, policy, or social standard. In the context of the sentence, the author is describing literature as a medium through which individuals challenge or show opposition to the prevailing norms of society. Therefore, against is the correct preposition to link the act of protesting with the object of that protest.

Explanation

Literature serves as a profound medium for exploring human values and the ethical fabric of society. A moral issue relates specifically to the principles of right and wrong behavior and the standards of conduct within a community. In the context of expressing ideas or protesting against societal norms, literature frequently tackles these ethical dilemmas to provoke thought or inspire change. Therefore, words dealing with a moral issue carry significant weight because they address the core values and integrity that define the relationship between individuals and their collective social environment.

Explanation

The pronoun They refers to the words mentioned in the preceding sentence that constitute a piece of literature. In a literary context, words and ideas are composed or written to fulfill a specific objective or convey a particular message. The phrase written with a particular purpose is a standard idiomatic construction used to describe the intentional creation of a text by an author to address societal norms or specific issues.

Explanation

The phrase in mind is a standard English idiom used to indicate that someone has a specific thought, intention, or purpose while performing an action. In the context of the passage, it signifies that the author or the literature itself carries a deliberate objective or goal during the creative process. The sentence structure identifies that the words are written or chosen with a particular purpose already existing in the thoughts of the creator.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of the third conditional, which is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past and its imaginary result. The standard grammatical formula for a third conditional sentence is: If + past perfect (had + past participle), would have + past participle. Since the "if-clause" uses the past perfect tense (had told), the "result clause" must use "would have helped" instead of "will help" to maintain grammatical consistency. The use of "will" is incorrect here because it refers to the future, whereas the sentence refers to a completed past action that did not happen.

Explanation

The sentence involves two adjectives, angry and indifferent, that both refer to the same object, me. In English grammar, when two adjectives connected by a conjunction require different prepositions, each must be followed by its respective preposition to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The adjective indifferent is correctly paired with the preposition to. However, the adjective angry must be followed by the preposition with when it refers to a person. Consequently, the preposition with is missing after angry. The grammatically accurate construction of the phrase should be angry with and indifferent to me.

Explanation

The verb loiter means to stand or wait idly or to move slowly with frequent stops without any apparent purpose. When describing the act of lingering aimlessly in a general area or vicinity, such as a corridor, the preposition around is the standard idiomatic choice. The phrase loiter around indicates staying in or wandering through a place without a specific destination or reason, making it the grammatically correct fit for the sentence.

Explanation

In complex sentences referring to the future, when a main clause uses the future tense (will scold), the subordinate time clause introduced by conjunctions such as when, before, after, until, or as soon as must use the simple present tense. This grammatical rule dictates that the present tense (he comes) is used to express a future action within the temporal clause, even though the event has not yet occurred.

Explanation

Mellifluous originates from the Latin roots mel meaning honey and fluere meaning to flow, literally translating to flowing like honey. It is used to describe a sound, voice, or piece of music that is sweet, smooth, and pleasant to hear. The word dulcet is its synonym, as it also characterizes sounds that are melodious, soothing, and agreeable to the ear. Both terms are commonly employed in literary contexts to evoke a sense of auditory harmony and gentleness.

Explanation

The word dodge means to avoid someone or something by a sudden quick movement or to evade a debt, duty, or question through cleverness or trickery. It implies a deliberate action taken to stay away from or circumvent a specific situation or object. Therefore, avoid is its direct synonym, as it also refers to the act of keeping away from or preventing oneself from doing something or encountering someone.

Explanation

The word meretricious describes something that appears attractive or impressive on the surface but lacks real integrity, value, or sincerity. It often refers to things that are flashy, tawdry, or based on pretense and artificiality. The word natural is its opposite because it signifies something that is genuine, spontaneous, and authentic. While meretricious implies a deceptive or manufactured appearance, natural denotes a state that is true to its essence and free from artificial enhancement or imitation.

Explanation

The word nebulous is derived from the Latin word nebulosus, meaning misty or cloudy. In English, it is used to describe something that is vague, hazy, or ill-defined, lacking a clear structure or form. The word definite is its direct antonym as it refers to something that is clearly stated, certain, and having distinct limits or a precise nature. While something nebulous is difficult to grasp or perceive clearly, something definite is explicit and unmistakable.

Explanation

The idiom spick and span is used to describe a place or an object that is exceptionally neat, tidy, and spotless. It originates from the Middle English phrase spick-and-span-new, which historically referred to something being as fresh and clean as a newly made spike (spick) and a freshly cut wood chip (span). Over time, the usage evolved from meaning brand new to its modern definition of being perfectly orderly and clean.

Explanation

The idiom to draw the longbow means to exaggerate or tell improbable stories. It originates from the historical context of English archery, where the longbow was a weapon of great power. Over time, archers and storytellers frequently made boastful and unrealistic claims about the distance their arrows could travel or the precision of their shots, leading to the phrase being used to describe someone who is embellishing the truth or making overstated claims.

Explanation

The phrase "added another feather to his cap" is an idiomatic expression that signifies achieving something significant or earning an honor that one can be proud of. In this context, rescuing a child from a fire is a heroic and commendable act that represents a major accomplishment for the local resident. Option (a) is the correct choice because it accurately reflects the figurative meaning of the idiom in a clear and direct manner that fits the gravity of the situation described. This replacement provides a more formal and precise description of the resident's brave action, effectively conveying the magnitude of the achievement.

Explanation

The phrasal verb take up is used appropriately in this sentence to mean to start or begin a task or project. It signifies the government's intention to initiate the construction work in the near future. Since the phrase conveys the intended meaning clearly and matches the formal context of government action, the original sentence is grammatically correct and requires no improvement.

Explanation

The term callous is used to describe an individual who is insensitive, indifferent, or cruel toward the feelings and sufferings of others. It originates from the Latin word callosus, which refers to having thick skin or a callus. In a figurative sense, a callous person is someone who has become emotionally hardened or thickened to the point where they no longer feel sympathy or kindness for those in distress. This lack of emotional depth or empathy makes it the precise vocabulary substitute for a person devoid of kind feeling.

Explanation

A glutton is a person who habitually eats or consumes an immoderate or excessive amount of food and drink. The term originates from the Old French word glouton and the Latin gluttire, which means to swallow or gulp down. It is used to describe an individual who indulges in overeating to the point of greed or excess.

Explanation

The word in option b is incorrectly spelt. The correct spelling is Translucent, which describes a material that allows light to pass through but diffuses it so that objects on the opposite side are not clearly distinguished. The error in Transluent is the omission of the letter c before the letter u. This word originates from the Latin translucentem, the present participle of translucere, meaning to shine through.

Explanation

Sentence Q serves as the introductory statement by establishing the broad necessity of defining clear goals for higher education in the context of national development. Sentence R follows logically by identifying a specific, important aim of education mentioned in Q, which is the creation of trained manpower for national growth. Sentence S then provides a more detailed explanation of how this aim should be operationalized through the educational apparatus across the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. Sentence P concludes the paragraph by refining the ultimate objective of this process, which is to achieve a precise balance in the labor market by avoiding both a shortage and an oversupply of trained personnel.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression from specific internal behaviors to the overall organizational outcome. Sentence Q introduces the first internal problem, focusing on the failings of arrogant managers. Sentence S complements this by describing the limitations of inwardly focused employees. Sentence P synthesizes these individual behaviors into a broader bureaucratic culture that prevents adaptation to change. Finally, sentence R uses the conjunction And to provide a concluding statement, identifying the lack of leadership as the reason these organizations cannot escape the stagnation, or morass, created by the factors mentioned in the preceding sentences.

Explanation

The sentence She teaches us English is in the Simple Present Tense. In active voice, the structure for Simple Present is Subject + V₁/Vₛ_/ₑₛ + Object. To convert this into Passive Voice, the structure follows the pattern: Subject (receiver) + is/am/are + V₃ (Past Participle) + by + Object (doer). In the given sentence, there are two objects: us (indirect) and English (direct). When using the indirect object us as the subject, it becomes the nominative case We. Since We is plural, the auxiliary verb are is used, followed by the past participle taught. This results in the correct passive form We are taught English by her.

Explanation

To convert an interrogative sentence from direct to indirect speech, the reporting verb said to is changed to asked. Since the question is a yes/no type starting with the modal verb Will, the conjunction if or whether is used to link the clauses. The second-person pronoun you is changed to she to refer to Swati, and the first-person pronouns me and my are changed to her to refer to Nisha. In accordance with the rules of backshifting for past-tense reporting verbs, the modal will is changed to would. Additionally, the adverb of time now is changed to then to reflect the shift from the moment of speaking. These changes result in the sentence: Nisha asked Swati if she would help her in her project just then.

Explanation

The verb ensure means to make certain that a case or condition will occur or be maintained. In the context of political systems, democracy is fundamentally designed to guarantee and protect the inherent rights and status of every person. The sentence states a core principle where the primary function of the democratic framework is to safeguard or guarantee the dignity of the individual as a necessary condition of its existence.

Explanation

The sentence refers to the utilitarian principle of the greatest good of the greatest number, a concept popularized by philosopher Jeremy Bentham. In the context of democratic theory, this principle implies that laws and government policies should be aimed at maximizing the overall happiness, well-being, or benefit for the largest possible portion of the population. The word greatest is the standard superlative used in this established idiom to describe the objective of achieving the highest level of collective benefit.

Explanation

The phrase the greatest good of the greatest number is a fundamental principle of utilitarianism, a philosophy popularized by thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. In the context of democracy, this principle suggests that the primary goal of the state and its policies should be to ensure the maximum possible benefit or happiness for the largest portion of the population. This expression is a standard idiomatic collocation in political and ethical discourse to describe collective welfare.

Explanation

In a democratic political system, the fundamental role of the opposition party is to act as a watchdog and provide checks and balances on the ruling administration. By scrutinizing and challenging the government's wrong plans, policies, and decisions, the opposition ensures accountability and represents alternative viewpoints. The verb oppose directly describes this function of contesting or resisting actions of the power in situ that are deemed incorrect or harmful to the public interest.

Explanation

The term genuine refers to something that is real, authentic, or sincere. In the context of a democratic government seeking to make its position solid, it must address the actual and legitimate requirements of the citizens. By catering to the genuine needs of the people—such as health, education, and basic infrastructure—a government builds trust and ensures political stability. This aligns with the overall theme of the passage regarding the responsibilities of a democratic system toward the welfare of its individuals.

Explanation

The error in the second part of the sentence is the incorrect use of a comma before the relative pronoun that. In English grammar, that is used to introduce a restrictive clause, which is a clause essential to the identification or meaning of the noun it modifies. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas. If the clause were intended to be non-restrictive, providing incidental or non-essential information about the industries, the relative pronoun which would be required instead. Therefore, the presence of the comma before that violates standard punctuation rules for defining relative clauses.

Explanation

The error lies in part (3) of the sentence where much late is used incorrectly. In English grammar, the adverb lately means recently or in the recent past and is typically used with the present perfect tense to indicate that an action has or has not occurred during the period leading up to the present. Late refers to being behind schedule or far into a point in time. Therefore, to express that she has not visited the restaurant in recent times, the word lately should be used instead of the phrase much late.

Explanation

The word toiling refers to working extremely hard or incessantly at a difficult task. In the context of academic achievement, specifically excelling in board exams, it conveys the sense of intense and laborious effort required to succeed. The gerund form toiling follows the preposition after to indicate that the success was the direct result of this strenuous preparation.

Explanation

The sentence requires the past tense of the transitive verb lay, which means to put or place something down in a flat position. Because the sentence includes a direct object, his camera, a transitive verb must be used. The principal parts of this verb are lay (present), laid (past), and laid (past participle). Therefore, laid is the grammatically correct choice to indicate that the subject placed the object on the table.

Explanation

The word monotonous is derived from the Greek words monos, meaning single, and tonos, meaning tone. It describes something that is repetitive, lacks variety, and is tedious because it remains the same. Dull is a synonymous term used to describe things that are uninteresting, boring, or lack excitement and spirit. Both words characterize a state of being tedious or lackluster due to a deficiency in variation or stimulation.