SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The phrase peaceful uses of nuclear energy is a standard diplomatic and policy term referring to the application of nuclear technology for non-military purposes such as electricity generation, medicine, and agriculture. India has consistently advocated for the right of all nations to access nuclear technology for developmental needs while supporting global disarmament. In the context of the passage, which lists the salient features of India's commitment to world peace and international cooperation, the term uses fits the grammatical structure and the established thematic framework of India's nuclear doctrine and foreign policy.

Explanation

The passage outlines the foundational principles of India's foreign policy regarding global peace. In international relations and legal terminology, the standard phrase for resolving conflicts or disagreements between nations is the settlement of disputes. This term specifically denotes the process of reaching an agreement or finding a resolution to a conflict through diplomatic channels. The context provided by the phrase through negotiations and peaceful means directly supports this usage, as these are the primary methods employed to achieve a formal settlement in the international arena. This concept is a core tenet of the United Nations Charter and India's long-standing commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.

Explanation

Blasphemy refers to the act of speaking sacrilegiously or irreverently about God, sacred entities, or religious beliefs. It involves the use of contemptuous or insulting language toward things considered holy or inviolable within a religious context. The term is specifically used to describe speech or actions that show a profound lack of respect for the divine or for established religious doctrines.

Explanation

An egotist is an individual who possesses an exaggerated sense of self-importance and habitually talks about themselves, their achievements, and their perceived superior qualities. The term is derived from the Latin word ego meaning I, and the inclusion of the letter t is often associated with the concept of talk or boasting. This person is characterized by excessive conceit and a constant need to be the center of conversation, frequently using the first-person pronoun to highlight their own accomplishments.

Explanation

The word is misspelled because the correct spelling is Perseverance. It is derived from the verb persevere and requires the suffix -ance rather than -ence. Perseverance refers to the quality of continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition, or previous failure. In English orthography, this specific noun form always concludes with the letter sequence a-n-c-e.

Explanation

Sentence R serves as the introductory statement, defining frustration and establishing it as a global phenomenon. Sentence S follows R immediately as the pronoun It refers back to frustration, further elaborating on its global reach by stating that no country is exempt. This general-to-specific transition leads to sentences Q and P, which categorize the countries mentioned in S. Sentence Q introduces the first group (some countries) characterized by have-nots, while sentence P completes the comparison by addressing other countries populated by haves, maintaining a logical flow from a broad definition to specific contrasting examples.

Explanation

Sentence P serves as the introductory statement, establishing the paragraph's theme by focusing on the purpose and utility of a particular maxim. Sentence R provides the philosophical context by defining Man as more than just an intelligent inventor. Sentence Q follows R naturally, using the pronoun He to refer back to Man and describing the internal spirit that guides him. Sentence S completes the logic by explaining what this spirit or maxim tells us to do—to be up and doing—which directly illustrates the worldly utility mentioned in the opening sentence. This sequence ensures that the subject (Man) precedes its pronoun (He) and that the conceptual framework (R and Q) leads into the final practical application (S).

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Active Voice and Simple Present Tense. The standard structure for an interrogative sentence in the Simple Present Active is Why + do/does + subject + V1 + object. To convert this into Passive Voice, the construction follows the rule: Why + is/am/are + object + V3 (past participle) + by + subject. Since the object money is an uncountable noun and treated as singular, the auxiliary verb is is used. The past participle of waste is wasted. Applying these transformations, the sentence becomes Why is money wasted by you?

Explanation

The sentence is an interrogative sentence in direct speech. When converting it to indirect speech, the reporting verb said is replaced by wanted to know to appropriately convey the intent of a question. The introductory filler well is removed as it does not carry substantive meaning in the reported version. In Wh-questions, the question word what serves as the connector between the reporting and reported clauses. The interrogative structure can I do is converted into the assertive word order he could do, and the modal verb can is changed to its past tense form could to maintain tense consistency with the past reporting verb. Additionally, the pronouns I and you are adjusted to the third person he and her to align with the reporter's perspective.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the preposition at in the first part of the sentence. The adjective vexed follows a specific idiomatic pattern where it takes the preposition with when referring to a person and at or about when referring to a thing or an action. Since the object in this context is him, representing a person, the correct construction is vexed with him. Therefore, at should be replaced by with to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Explanation

The sentence follows the rule of the sequence of tenses in indirect speech. When the principal reporting verb is in the past tense, as seen with warned, the verbs in the subordinate clauses must also be shifted to the past tense. Consequently, the present tense verb persist must be changed to the past tense persisted to align with the past reporting verb and the conditional phrase would be punished.

Explanation

The sentence follows a parallel structure where two adjectives describe two corresponding behaviors. The term taciturn describes Daniel as someone who seldom spoke, while the word miserly describes his habit of never spending money. Miserly refers to a person who is extremely stingy or reluctant to spend, which directly matches the context of the second part of the sentence regarding his financial behavior.

Explanation

The adjective timid refers to a person who lacks courage or self-confidence and is easily intimidated or frightened. The sentence follows the too + adjective + to-infinitive grammatical structure, where the adjective explains the reason why a certain action cannot be performed. In a professional context, being timid describes the specific lack of boldness or the presence of fear regarding authority figures that would prevent an individual from speaking or making a formal statement in front of a superior.

Explanation

The word reiterate means to say something again or a number of times, typically for the purpose of emphasis or clarity. It is derived from the Latin roots re-, meaning again, and iterare, meaning to do a second time. In formal and everyday English, the term is commonly used when someone wants to reinforce a specific point or ensure that a message has been fully understood by repeating it. This makes repeat its direct synonym, as both words describe the act of performing an action or stating an idea more than once.

Explanation

The term nincompoop, which is sometimes spelled or transcribed as nimcompop, is an informal noun used to describe a silly or stupid person. It refers to an individual who lacks common sense or intelligence, making it a direct synonym for a fool. The word has been used in English since the late 17th century to characterize someone acting in a ridiculous or senseless manner.

Explanation

Pellucid is used to describe something that is translucently clear, transparent, or easily understood in terms of expression. It implies a state of being crystal clear, allowing light or meaning to pass through without obstruction. Murky refers to something that is dark, cloudy, or thick with suspended matter, particularly in liquids or atmospheres where visibility is significantly reduced. Since murky denotes a lack of clarity and transparency, it represents the opposite state of being pellucid.

Explanation

The passage highlights significant advancements across multiple diverse sectors, including agriculture, industry, communication, medicine, and education. The term tremendous denotes something very great in scale, amount, or intensity, which accurately characterizes the extensive and multi-faceted progress described in the text. This choice aligns with the context of widespread global development and the subsequent assertion that the future appears more promising than previously anticipated.

Explanation

The word adamant describes a person who is refusing to be persuaded or to change their mind, signifying a state of being unyielding, firm, and resolute in attitude or opinion. Conversely, flexible refers to the ability to be easily modified, bent, or willing to change to suit different conditions or circumstances. Since adamant denotes an uncompromising and stiff nature, flexible represents the direct opposite quality of being adaptable and yielding.

Explanation

The idiom to wrangle over an ass's shadow means to engage in a dispute or quarrel over something very petty, insignificant, or trivial. It has its roots in an ancient Greek anecdote where a traveler and a donkey owner argued over who had the right to sit in the shadow cast by the donkey. Since a shadow has no physical substance or legal value, the phrase characterizes arguments where the subject of the disagreement is of no real importance.

Explanation

The idiom make one's flesh creep refers to the physical sensation of shivering or goosebumps that occurs when a person experiences intense fear, horror, or disgust. It describes a reaction where the skin feels as if something is crawling over it, typically triggered by an unsettling or scary stimulus. This expression captures the involuntary physiological response of horripilation associated with being deeply frightened or repulsed by someone or something.

Explanation

This sentence follows the third conditional structure, which is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past and its probable result. The grammatical pattern for such sentences is "If + past perfect, would have + past participle". Since the subject "Father" is the one performing the action of appreciating the "efforts", the active voice is required. The phrase "would have appreciated" correctly matches this conditional requirement and ensures that the subject acts upon the object, maintaining proper sentence logic and tense consistency.

Explanation

The adjective surprised is idiomatically followed by the preposition at when expressing a reaction to a specific event, piece of news, or circumstance such as a test result or a person's behavior. While surprised by is often used in passive voice constructions to indicate the agent of the surprise, surprised at is the preferred and more traditional usage for indicating the cause of the emotional state in response to an inanimate object or outcome.

Explanation

Oncology is the branch of medicine that specializes in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tumors and cancer. The term originates from the Greek word onkos, which means mass, bulk, or tumor, and logia, which means study. Professionals in this field, known as oncologists, focus on understanding how tumors develop and spread within the body, utilizing various treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to manage these conditions.

Explanation

Zenith refers to the highest point reached by a celestial object or any other entity. In a metaphorical or general sense, it denotes the peak, pinnacle, or the most successful period of something, such as a career or an empire. In astronomy, it specifically represents the point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer, making it the absolute summit or apex in a spatial or conceptual context.

Explanation

The word is incorrectly spelled because it contains an unnecessary letter e after the letter k. The correct spelling is leakage, which refers to the process of leaking or the quantity of substance that has escaped through a hole or crack. It is formed by appending the suffix -age to the base verb leak.

Explanation

The spelling Anesthetic follows American English conventions. In the context of British English standards typically used in these examinations, the correct spelling is Anaesthetic, which requires the inclusion of the ae digraph in the first syllable.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical progression from a specific industry strategy to broader systemic requirements. Sentence Q introduces the premise that segmenting the microfinance industry is beneficial if it increases credit access for the poor. Sentence R directly follows by explaining the mechanism of this segmentation, detailing how multinational corporations and regional banks would divide responsibilities. Sentence P provides a transition using the word Yet to qualify the previous points, noting that credit access alone is not a sufficient cure for poverty. Sentence S concludes the thought by adding other essential legal and structural components, such as property rights and the rule of law, which must accompany financial access to effectively tackle poverty.

Explanation

The passage highlights the significant advancements made globally across various sectors such as agriculture, industry, and medicine. The term unprecedented describes growth that is greater than anything seen in the past, which aligns with the subsequent context that the future no longer appears as bleak as once feared regarding resource scarcity. This word choice effectively emphasizes the scale and historical significance of the progress mentioned in the text.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a chronological and cause-effect logical sequence. Sentence R establishes the historical baseline, noting that India previously prioritized industrial development over other sectors. Sentence P introduces a contrast to this past state using the conjunction But, highlighting the contemporary shift toward allocating specific funds for security. Sentence S provides the rationale for this shift, explaining that the change in priorities is a response to the global rise in terrorism following the 9/11 attacks. Finally, sentence Q offers specific evidence of this trend by noting the significantly higher military budget observed over the last ten years. This arrangement creates a coherent flow from the past condition to the current change, its underlying cause, and its measurable result.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of a moral suggestion using the modal verb should. In active voice, the structure is Subject + should + V1 + Object. When converting such sentences into passive voice, the object becomes the new subject, followed by the auxiliary structure should + be + V3 (past participle). For indefinite pronouns like one, the subject and its possessive form one's are typically omitted in the passive voice because the statement is a general truth or piece of advice applicable to anyone. Therefore, one's word is generalized, and the verb keep is changed to its third form kept, resulting in the passive construction where the emphasis remains on the action rather than the doer.

Explanation

The conversion from direct to indirect speech requires the reporting verb to reflect the intent of the speaker. The word thanks is transformed into the reporting verb thanked, with Ankit serving as the direct object. For the second part of the sentence, the first-person pronoun I changes to he to match the old man, and the modal shall shifts to would to maintain tense consistency with the past reporting verb. The demonstrative this is replaced by his to correctly reference the kindness belonging to Ankit in the reported context. The addition of the verb assured helps transition the two clauses while maintaining the original tone of the old man's promise.

Explanation

National integration is defined as the process of bringing together various people from different backgrounds into a unified entity. The word combining denotes the act of joining or merging different elements to form a single unit, which perfectly fits the context of merging diverse groups of people into a single whole. This process involves the unification of religious, linguistic, and regional groups to foster a sense of shared identity and national belonging.

Explanation

National integration is fundamentally a psychological and emotional process that involves a shared sense of oneness and solidarity among the citizens of a country. The word sentiment refers to an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling. In the context of the passage, it describes the collective emotional bond and the spirit of belonging that transcends individual differences like religion, caste, or language to unify people into a single national identity. This emotional unity acts as the underlying force that binds diverse groups together, allowing them to identify as integral parts of the nation.

Explanation

In the context of national integration, the word common is used to describe a shared identity or sentiment that unites diverse individuals. A common bond refers to a mutual connection or shared interest that bridges differences in religion, caste, and language, allowing all citizens to identify as a single entity. This shared sense of belonging acts as the unifying thread mentioned in the passage, creating a collective national consciousness.

Explanation

In the context of national integration, a cementing force refers to a unifying power that binds diverse elements of a society into a cohesive whole. For such a force to successfully unite people of different religions, castes, and languages so they can live peacefully and identify as part of a single nation, it must be powerful and resilient. The adjective strong logically qualifies this force, emphasizing its effectiveness in maintaining social cohesion and national unity against divisive tendencies.

Explanation

National integration is defined as the process of bringing together diverse groups of people into a single social and political identity. The adverb together is the most appropriate fit here as it emphasizes the collective and unified nature of the citizens within a nation. In the context of the passage, it describes how people of various backgrounds coexist in harmony and perceive themselves as a single, combined entity, which directly reinforces the central theme of unity and the concept of being a part and parcel of the nation.

Explanation

The passage describes significant advancements in agriculture, industry, medicine, and education, which indicates a transition from a pessimistic outlook to a more optimistic one. The word bleak means lacking in hope or encouragement, often used to describe a depressing or dismal future. In this context, stating that the future is not as bleak as once appeared signifies that the previous fears of global catastrophe and resource depletion are being countered by human progress and growth.

Explanation

The word although is used to introduce a statement that makes the main part of the sentence seem surprising or contrasting. In the context of the passage, while there has been significant global growth in production and medicine, the author acknowledges the existing reality that hunger and illiteracy still persist. Therefore, true is the grammatically and logically correct choice to confirm that these hardships remain a factual occurrence in developing countries despite overall global progress.

Explanation

The word prone is used in combination with the preposition to to describe a state of being susceptible or vulnerable to something undesirable. In the context of public health and development, it indicates that a population is likely to suffer from or be affected by illnesses due to factors like malnutrition, lack of sanitation, or inadequate medical facilities. The sentence lists several hardships faced by people in developing countries, and prone to diseases accurately completes the description of their physical vulnerability.

Explanation

The adverb only is misplaced in the first part of the sentence. In English grammar, the position of only is critical because it should be placed immediately before the word or phrase it is intended to modify to ensure clarity of meaning. In this specific context, the sentence implies that the CEO had a discussion with no one else except his manager. Therefore, the word only should be moved from the first part and placed directly before the prepositional phrase with his manager. The grammatically precise construction is: The CEO discussed the new venture only with his manager. Placing only before the verb discussed changes the meaning to suggest that the CEO did nothing other than discuss the venture, which is a less likely intended meaning.

Explanation

The sentence uses a second conditional structure to describe a hypothetical situation. In English grammar, the second conditional follows the formula: If + Past Tense → would + base verb. Because part (1) contains the past continuous condition "If she was marrying," the main clause in part (2) must use the simple conditional "would be" to match. The construction "would have been" is the perfect conditional, which is exclusively used in the third conditional for hypothetical past events and requires a past perfect verb (such as "had married") in the if-clause. The mismatch between the past tense in the condition and the perfect conditional in the result clause makes part (2) the error.

Explanation

The word disgusted functions as an adjective in this sentence and is conventionally paired with the preposition at to indicate the cause of a strong feeling of dislike or disapproval, especially when referring to a specific action, behavior, or sight. Since the sentence identifies the habit of her brother as the source of the emotion, at is the grammatically appropriate preposition to link the state of being disgusted to the particular conduct that triggered it. This prepositional phrase specifies the external factor responsible for the subject's negative reaction.

Explanation

In English grammar, the verb stop is frequently used with the preposition from followed by a gerund to indicate that an action was prevented or prohibited. The construction stopped from entering correctly fits the sentence structure, signifying that security measures physically or legally barred the individuals from accessing the cockpit. This usage aligns with standard idiomatic patterns where an authority or a barrier prevents someone from completing an intended action.

Explanation

The word exorbitant is used to describe a price, cost, or demand that is unreasonably large or excessive. It originates from the Latin word exorbitans, meaning going off the track or deviating. In a financial or quantitative context, it signifies an amount that far exceeds what is considered fair, normal, or standard. Therefore, high is the most appropriate synonym as it aligns with the sense of being extreme or excessive in degree or amount.

Explanation

Jeopardy is a noun that refers to the danger of loss, harm, or failure. It originates from the Old French term jeu parti, meaning a divided game or an even chance, evolving in English to signify exposure to peril or vulnerability. Risk is a direct synonym because it denotes a situation involving exposure to danger or the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will occur. Both terms are used to describe the state of being under threat or in a precarious position.

Explanation

The word churlish describes someone who is rude, boorish, or lacking in manners and civility. It characterizes behavior that is ill-tempered and difficult to deal with. In contrast, the word courteous refers to someone who is polite, respectful, and considerate in manner and behavior. Therefore, courteous serves as a direct antonym by representing the presence of the social grace and politeness that a churlish person lacks.

Explanation

Phlegmatic describes a temperament that is calm, cool, and notably lacking in emotional intensity or enthusiasm. It suggests a sluggish or unemotional nature. Ardent represents the state of being characterized by intense passion, enthusiasm, or zeal. While a phlegmatic person remains detached or indifferent, an ardent person is deeply and actively involved with fervor and excitement, making it the direct antonym in terms of emotional engagement.

Explanation

The idiom damp squib originates from pyrotechnics, where a squib is a small firework designed to burn with a hissing sound before exploding. If the squib becomes damp, it fails to ignite or explode as expected, resulting in a fizzle rather than a bang. Metaphorically, the phrase is used to describe an event, situation, or attempt that is much less impressive, exciting, or successful than it was expected to be, signifying a complete failure or a disappointing conclusion.

Explanation

The idiom is derived from Greek mythology, where the phoenix is a legendary bird that lives for several centuries before burning itself on a funeral pyre. It is then miraculously reborn from its own ashes to start a new life. Metaphorically, to rise like a phoenix means to emerge from a state of total destruction, failure, or defeat and become successful, powerful, or healthy once again. It signifies a remarkable recovery or a powerful comeback after experiencing a catastrophic event or a period of decline.

Explanation

The term obsolete is the most appropriate choice when describing technology or equipment that has become out of date or fallen out of use because it has been replaced by a more advanced or functional alternative. In this context, the integration of high-quality camera technology into mobile phones has rendered standalone digital cameras outmoded for the general consumer. The word specifically captures the transition where a newer invention makes an older one no longer necessary or standard in contemporary society.