SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The pronoun those is used as a plural demonstrative to refer to people who are the subject of a relative clause starting with who. In this sentence, those who serves as the object of the preposition for, identifying the specific group of individuals eligible for prizes. This construction is standard in English for referring to an unspecified group of people defined by the action they perform, which in this case is spotting the most errors.

Explanation

The most appropriate word for the position following "Koreans and foreigners" is "alike." The phrase "X and Y alike" is a common idiomatic expression meaning "both X and Y" or "equally for both X and Y." While the prompt asks for blank 2, the provided options actually correspond to blank 3 in the text, where "alike" is the only grammatically and idiomatically correct fit.

Explanation

The word alike functions as an adverb used after mentioning two or more people or groups to show that something applies to all of them equally. In the phrase calling on Koreans and foreigners alike, it emphasizes that the city government is reaching out to both groups in the same manner for assistance. This post-positive placement is a standard idiomatic structure used to indicate that a statement is true for both parties listed.

Explanation

The passage describes a campaign aimed at identifying and correcting "errors" found on "poorly translated street signs" in Seoul. For blank (4), the sentence requires a plural noun that serves as a synonym for errors to maintain consistency with the earlier mention of the term. The word mistakes correctly identifies these linguistic inaccuracies and fits the plural grammatical structure required by the context of searching for multiple instances of incorrect text across different languages and locations.

Explanation

The adjective particular is used to indicate that one specific thing or group is being singled out from others. In the context of the passage, the city government is identifying specific categories of signs—public transport, maps, and historic sites—that are receiving special attention during the campaign. The phrase a particular focus is a standard idiomatic expression used to emphasize a specific area of priority or concentration within a broader initiative.

Explanation

Coerce means to persuade or compel an unwilling person to do something by using force, threats, or intimidation. Pressurize is its synonym because it refers to the act of exerting strong influence or persistent pressure on someone to make them act in a certain way, often against their will. Both words describe the use of external force or mental strain to achieve compliance from an individual.

Explanation

The phrase in case that is grammatically incorrect in this context because in case is a conditional conjunction used to talk about precautions or preparations for a possible future event. However, the sentence describes a completed situation where the production was actually held up, making it the reason for declining orders. Therefore, a causal conjunction such as because or since should be used instead. Additionally, in standard English usage, in case is rarely followed by that when introducing a subordinate clause.

Explanation

The word reputation refers to the general belief or opinion that is widely held about someone or something based on their past actions or character. In this context, the company has established a public image or status for consistently manufacturing high-quality products. The phrase has the reputation of followed by a gerund is a standard English idiom used to describe the specific quality or achievement for which an entity is well-known.

Explanation

Expansion refers to the process of increasing in size, volume, quantity, or scope. Compression is the act or result of pressing or squeezing something together to reduce its volume or make it more compact. Therefore, compression represents the direct opposite action of expansion.

Explanation

The word calander is incorrectly spelled. The standard English spelling is calendar, which ends with the suffix -ar. Derived from the Latin word kalendarium, it refers to a system or chart used to organize and display the days, weeks, and months of a year for social, religious, or administrative purposes.

Explanation

The term costumes is the most appropriate word because it specifically refers to the distinctive and elaborate sets of clothes worn by performers or participants in a parade, festival, or carnival. In the context of the Notting Hill Carnival, which is famous for its vibrant street processions and masquerade bands, participants wear specialized outfits designed to represent specific themes or cultural traditions. This makes costumes the standard technical term for the attire used by performance bands in such festive settings.

Explanation

The term dwarf refers to an individual person, animal, or plant that is significantly smaller than the typical or average size for its species. In biological and botanical contexts, it describes organisms whose growth has been stunted or those that belong to a species or variety characterized by its small stature. It is the specific English noun used to denote an entity that remains much below the usual height throughout its lifecycle.

Explanation

The sentence requires the Present Perfect Continuous tense because the phrase for a long time indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing at the time of speaking. The subject the workers is plural, which necessitates the use of the auxiliary verb have followed by been and the present participle form of the verb demanding. This grammatical structure is specifically used to emphasize the duration of an ongoing activity.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of a first conditional, which is used to express a real possibility or a likely future consequence of a specific action. In a first conditional sentence, the if-clause uses the simple present tense (If you park), while the main clause uses the simple future tense (will + base verb). Therefore, the correct construction for the result of the potential action is will fine you.

Explanation

Sentence D introduces the subject of the cafe in Tokyo. Sentence C follows by explaining what happens in the cafe and mentions the snakes. Sentence B uses the pronoun them to refer back to the snakes, and sentence A concludes with the owner's perspective and motivation.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement, identifying the subject, which is a 4.7-metre long whale, and the primary event, its death and stranding in the Philippines. Sentence A follows by detailing the subsequent action taken, a necropsy, and the specific findings of 40 kilograms of plastic inside the animal. Sentence D then provides the professional conclusion from the museum director, linking the plastic found in sentence A to the physiological cause of death, which was starvation. Sentence C concludes the narrative with the director’s personal reaction and statistical context regarding the severity of this specific case compared to his past ten years of research.

Explanation

The idiom to play ducks and drakes originates from the traditional pastime of skipping flat stones across the surface of water. Figuratively, the expression means to behave recklessly or to squander resources, particularly money, in an irresponsible and extravagant manner. It suggests treating something of value as if it were a worthless stone being tossed away for idle amusement, showing a complete lack of care for the consequences of one's actions.

Explanation

The conjunction although is used to introduce a subordinate clause that contains a statement in contrast to the main clause. In this sentence, there is no logical contrast between the cyclone tearing across Southern Africa and the fact that it killed at least 157 people. The destruction and loss of life were the direct result and accompaniment of the cyclone's path. To maintain logical coherence, a conjunction expressing time or cause such as as, when, or while should be used to indicate that the deaths occurred during or because of the cyclone's movement.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the passive voice using the past continuous tense, as indicated by the construction was being + past participle (checked). To convert this to the active voice, the tense must remain the same. The formula for the active past continuous tense is Subject + was/were + V-ing + Object. Since the guards is a plural subject, it requires the auxiliary verb were followed by the present participle checking. The noun phrase every passing vehicle moves to the object position. Placing the adverb thoroughly before the main verb completes the grammatical transformation.

Explanation

The word chronic is derived from the Greek word chronos, meaning time, and is used to describe something that persists for a long duration or recurs frequently. It is most commonly used in medical contexts to refer to illnesses or conditions that are long-lasting and slow to resolve. Similarly, persistent characterizes something that continues to exist or endure over a prolonged period without interruption. Because both terms convey the idea of long-term continuation and permanence over time, they are synonymous.

Explanation

The idiom at daggers drawn refers to a state of extreme enmity or intense animosity between two parties. The phrase originates from the imagery of two individuals having unsheathed their daggers and being ready to strike one another. It is used to describe a relationship characterized by bitter hostility where the parties involved are on the verge of a fight or are in a situation of prolonged and deep-seated conflict.

Explanation

The term truant refers to a student who stays away from school without leave or explanation. It is derived from the Old French word truand, which historically referred to a beggar or vagabond, but in modern English, it specifically denotes a pupil who deliberately misses school or classes without a valid reason or parental permission. Truancy is often subject to school disciplinary measures or legal intervention in many educational systems.

Explanation

The original sentence is an imperative sentence expressing a piece of advice or a warning. When converting imperative sentences that convey advice into the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence, followed by the modal verb should to maintain the suggestive tone. The structure follows the pattern: Subject + should + not + be + past participle (V3). In this case, medicines becomes the subject, followed by should not be and the past participle bought, resulting in a grammatically correct passive transformation that preserves the original meaning and intent.

Explanation

The word contemporaries refers to individuals living or existing during the same period of time as another. In a literary context, it is used to describe authors who were active and writing during the same historical era. Since the sentence discusses Charles Dickens's writing style in relation to others in the Victorian era, contemporaries is the most suitable term to denote the other writers of that specific time period.

Explanation

Accept means to willingly receive, admit, or agree to something that is offered or proposed. The word reject functions as its direct antonym because it means to refuse to accept, recognize, or utilize something, often dismissing it as inadequate or unsatisfactory. While accept implies an affirmative action of taking in or agreeing, reject implies a negative action of casting off or declining.

Explanation

The word addictive refers to something that is habit-forming or causes a compulsive dependency. The sentence describes a situation where people are increasingly unable to distance themselves from their devices, as evidenced by the phrase being more attached to screens than ever before. This signifies a behavioral pattern where the use of technology triggers a psychological need for continuous engagement, which is the fundamental definition of an addictive quality. The sentence structures a logical link between the nature of technology and the resulting behavior of the users.

Explanation

The word challenge is correctly spelled with a double l and the suffix enge. Derived from the Old French word chalenge, the modern English spelling necessitates the double consonant l to maintain its standard orthographic form. The terminal e is a functional component of the spelling as it indicates that the preceding g should be pronounced as a soft g, resulting in the /dʒ/ sound. This term is used to refer to a demanding task or an invitation to engage in a contest or competition.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice of an imperative sentence, following the structure Let + object + be + past participle (V3). To convert an imperative sentence from passive to active voice, the construction is changed to the base form of the verb (V1) + object. Following this rule, the passive phrase let the bell be rung is transformed by taking the root verb ring and placing the object the bell immediately after it. The adverbial phrase every forty minutes remains at the end to maintain the original meaning. Thus, the active form becomes Ring the bell every forty minutes.

Explanation

The term edible refers to any substance that is safe and suitable for human consumption. It is a standard culinary and biological classification used to identify items that can be ingested without causing harm or illness. While other terms might describe the quality or flavor of food, edible specifically denotes the fundamental quality of being fit to be eaten.

Explanation

The original sentence is grammatically correct as it follows standard rules of subject-verb agreement and idiomatic usage. The subject increased human activity is treated as a singular collective concept, which correctly takes the singular verb means in the present indefinite tense to express a general belief or scientific assertion. The phrase an accelerated rate uses the correct indefinite article an before the vowel sound of accelerated. Furthermore, rate of change is the standard idiomatic expression used to describe the speed at which a transformation occurs. Since the sentence maintains correct tense, prepositional use, and article placement, no substitution is necessary.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces a general observation about metropolitan cities, which Sentence C expands upon by describing the chasm between the old and new. Sentence D then uses the word though to introduce Puducherry as a unique exception where these contrasts are celebrated, and Sentence A concludes with specific details about that city.

Explanation

The word incomprehensible is derived from the prefix in-, which means not, and the verb comprehend, which means to grasp mentally or understand. Therefore, something described as incomprehensible is entirely beyond the limits of understanding or impossible for the mind to grasp. It is used to describe concepts, languages, or situations that are so complex or unclear that they cannot be interpreted or made sense of by an individual.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Present Continuous tense, which follows the structure: Subject + is/am/are + present participle (verb-ing) + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the structure must be: Object + is/am/are + being + past participle (V3) + by + Subject. In this case, the object good pictures is plural, so it requires the auxiliary verb are. The continuous aspect is maintained by adding being, and the verb clicking is changed to its past participle form clicked. Thus, the correct passive construction is Good pictures are being clicked with his new camera.

Explanation

The sentence uses the correlative conjunction pair No sooner... than. This specific grammatical structure is used to indicate that one action happens immediately after another. According to English grammar rules, No sooner must always be followed by than to introduce the second clause. In the given sentence, the word when has been incorrectly used instead of than to connect the two actions. The correct construction should be No sooner did he see the tiger than he ran as fast as he could.

Explanation

The word pensive is used to describe a person who is engaged in deep, serious, or melancholy thought. It implies a state of being lost in contemplation or showing a broodingly thoughtful disposition. The term reflective serves as a direct synonym because it characterizes someone who is given to or marked by quiet, serious, and deep thought. Both words focus on the internal process of meditation and introspection.

Explanation

The idiom a square peg in a round hole describes a person who is unsuited for the position or situation they are in. It originates from the physical impossibility of fitting a square object into a circular hole of the same size without leaving gaps or forcing a fit that does not work. In the given sentence, the woman’s upbringing in an affluent family makes her incompatible with the lifestyle and environment of a poor farmer in a small village. Her habits, expectations, and background do not align with her new surroundings, making her a misfit in that specific social and economic setting.

Explanation

The word vindictive is derived from the Latin term vindicta, which means vengeance or revenge. It is used to describe a person who harbors a strong, unreasoning desire for revenge or seeks to hurt someone in return for a perceived wrong or injury. Similarly, the word revengeful characterizes an individual who is inclined to seek retaliation and is unwilling to forgive. Since both terms describe the specific intent to settle scores and inflict harm as a response to past grievances, they are synonymous in meaning.

Explanation

The idiom smell a rat refers to the act of suspecting that something is wrong, dishonest, or suspicious in a given situation. It suggests an instinctive feeling that a person is being deceived or that there is a hidden, malicious motive behind an action. In this context, the sudden friendly gesture from an envious competitor causes the subject to suspect a trick or ulterior motive, thereby detecting that something is amiss.

Explanation

When two subjects are connected by phrases such as as well as, along with, together with, or in addition to, the verb must agree in number with the first subject. In the given sentence, the first subject is the captain, which is a singular noun. Therefore, the verb must also be singular. The plural verb are is grammatically incorrect in this context and should be replaced by the singular verb is to maintain proper subject-verb agreement.

Explanation

Affinity refers to a natural liking, sympathy, or attraction towards a person, thing, or idea. It signifies a spontaneous connection or a feeling of kinship. Aversion is the most appropriate antonym because it represents a strong feeling of dislike, opposition, or repugnance toward something. While affinity draws one toward an object, aversion creates a desire to avoid or reject it, making the two words fundamentally opposite in meaning.

Explanation

The word misconception is a countable noun. In English grammar, the quantifier many is used with plural countable nouns, whereas much is used with uncountable nouns. Because the sentence uses the plural verb are, it requires the plural noun misconceptions to maintain subject-verb agreement. Additionally, the preposition about is the standard and idiomatically correct choice to link misconceptions to the specific subject matter, which in this case is dyslexia. This combination ensures proper grammatical structure and logical flow.

Explanation

The phrase random act of kindness is a fixed idiomatic expression in English used to describe a selfless act performed by a person to help or cheer up another, often a stranger. In this grammatical structure, the preposition of is used to denote the nature, quality, or character of the preceding noun. It functions to link the action act with its defining characteristic kindness, following a standard linguistic pattern seen in similar phrases such as act of courage or act of generosity.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the sentence describes the minimal amount of exertion or energy required to perform a simple gesture like giving a compliment. The phrase takes almost no effort is a standard idiomatic expression used to indicate that an action is very easy to perform and does not require significant physical or mental strain. This establishes a clear contrast with the second half of the sentence, which highlights the enormous dividends or high emotional rewards that such a small investment of energy can produce.

Explanation

The passage is written in the simple present tense to describe general truths and observations about human behavior, as evidenced by verbs like can be, takes, pays, and are. The sentence refers to a habitual or ongoing reality for a large group of people. In English grammar, the simple present tense is used to express such general facts or habitual actions. Since the subject Many people is plural, the plural verb form spend is required to ensure proper subject-verb agreement within the present tense framework of the text.

Explanation

The context of the passage focuses on the positive impact of recognizing and praising the qualities of others. To acknowledge someone in this sense means to recognize their merit, importance, or presence. The sentence describes a deep-seated human desire for validation and visibility, where individuals hope that those around them will notice and appreciate their worth or contributions. Given that the preceding sentences discuss admiration and compliments, acknowledge is the most appropriate term for the act of showing others that they are seen and valued.

Explanation

The sentence structure requires a transition word that establishes a contrast between the expectation of appreciation from close circles and the positive impact of praise from external sources. The conjunctive adverb however is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or complicates the previous point, showing that while expectations are higher for family and friends, the effect of a stranger's genuine compliment is still notably significant.

Explanation

The verb reminisce means to indulge in the enjoyable recollection of past events or experiences, often with a sense of nostalgia. In this sentence, it describes the act of the older generation fondly looking back at their past school days. Grammatically, reminisce is the most suitable choice because it is frequently paired with the preposition over or about to indicate the topic of the memories being shared or contemplated. This usage perfectly captures the sentimental tone of reflecting on the good old school days.

Explanation

The word conscientious is the correct spelling for the adjective meaning to be diligent, thorough, and guided by a sense of right and wrong. It is derived from the noun conscience, which originates from the Latin word conscientia, meaning knowledge or moral sense. The spelling follows a standard morphological pattern where the root scien, meaning knowledge, is combined with the suffix tious to form an adjective. It is used to describe individuals who act according to their internal principles and put great effort into their tasks to ensure they are done correctly.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical and chronological progression describing the destruction of the palace. Sentence B sets the scene by introducing the people with flaming torches racing across the terraces. This action leads directly to sentence A, which describes the immediate consequence as the wooden beams of the palace ignite. Sentence D follows by depicting the peak of the fire, referred to as an inferno, and the activity of looters amidst the heat. Finally, sentence C provides the conclusion to the narrative, describing the desolate state of the palace ruins once the fire has completely died out.

Explanation

The sentence structure follows the second conditional, which is used to describe hypothetical or imaginary situations. In the "if" or "even if" clause of a second conditional sentence, the past subjunctive form "were" is used for all subjects, including the third-person singular "she," to indicate that the condition is contrary to fact. Since Portia is speaking about the impossibility of living as long as the mythological Sibylla, the subjunctive "were" is required to match the "would" used in the main clause of the sentence.