SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The sequence begins with sentence B, which introduces the central topic: the relocation of the Jharia township due to uncontrollable underground fires. Sentence C follows logically by explaining the origin of these fires, linking the phrase "These fires" directly to the underground fires mentioned in the opening statement. Sentence A provides the next chronological step in the process, using the transition "Then" to describe how the fire spreads deeper into the unmined coal. The arrangement concludes with sentence D, which details the specific hazard posed by the fumes, reinforcing the necessity for relocation mentioned at the start of the passage.

Explanation

The word desperate is derived from the Latin verb desperare, which is composed of the prefix de-, meaning away from, and sperare, meaning to hope. The spelling d-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-e correctly follows this etymological root and the standard English phonetic structure for adjectives ending in the suffix -ate. It is used to describe a state of extreme distress, urgency, or a feeling of hopelessness that drives one to take extreme measures.

Explanation

The word taciturn refers to a person who is habitually reserved, uncommunicative, or disinclined to speak. Reticent is its most appropriate synonym because it describes someone who does not reveal their thoughts or feelings readily and is naturally inclined to be silent. Both terms characterize a personality trait defined by a lack of talkativeness and a preference for brevity in speech.

Explanation

The error in the sentence is a matter of subject-verb agreement. The grammatical subject of the sentence is the singular noun phrase The length, not the plural-sounding phrase involving the swallow's tail. According to the rules of English grammar, a singular subject must be paired with a singular verb in the third-person present tense. Therefore, the plural verb reveal should be corrected to the singular form reveals to maintain agreement with the subject length. The prepositional phrase of a male swallow's tail merely modifies the subject and does not change its singular nature.

Explanation

The word mammoth is an adjective used to describe something that is immense, enormous, or extremely large in size or scale. It is derived from the name of the prehistoric elephant-like creature characterized by its vast proportions. Gigantic is a direct synonym that similarly refers to anything of extraordinary size, magnitude, or power, effectively conveying the same meaning of being huge or colossal.

Explanation

The idiom blow his top means to lose one's temper or become extremely angry, often in a sudden or explosive manner. It uses the metaphor of a volcano erupting or steam pressure forcing the lid off a container to represent a person's inability to contain their rage. In the context of the sentence, discovering a blatant mistake in a financial document like a balance sheet is a logical trigger for a boss to experience such an intense emotional outburst of anger.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice and uses the present perfect tense, indicated by the auxiliary verb structure have been imposed. When converting a sentence from passive to active voice, the tense must remain consistent. In the present perfect tense, the active voice formula is Subject + has/have + past participle (V3) + Object. Since the agent in the passive sentence is the government, which is a singular noun, it takes the singular auxiliary verb has followed by the past participle imposed. Therefore, the active form correctly places the government as the subject performing the action upon the object, heavy taxes.

Explanation

The verb dissuade is followed by the preposition from and a gerund (verb+ing) rather than an infinitive (to+verb). The correct idiomatic structure is dissuade someone from doing something. In the given sentence, the phrase to try for a job is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with from trying for a job to maintain proper syntax.

Explanation

The idiom walk the tight rope originates from circus acts where a performer moves across a thin, tensioned wire high above the ground. Figuratively, it describes a situation that requires extreme care and precision because the risks are very high and there is little room for error. In the context of mountaineering, where a single misstep can lead to a fatal fall, the phrase signifies the necessity to be very cautious and act with great circumspection to ensure safety and success.

Explanation

The sentence requires a finite verb to describe the action performed by the subject some agitating miners. Using alleged provides the necessary past tense verb to complete the independent clause. Furthermore, the existential clause introduced by there must agree in number with the following noun phrase emergency measures. Since measures is a plural noun, the plural verb were is grammatically mandatory to ensure subject-verb agreement within the dependent clause.

Explanation

An orchard is a dedicated area of land specifically used for the cultivation of fruit-bearing or nut-bearing trees. These areas are managed for the production of fruits such as apples, oranges, or cherries, and the term is distinctively used for tree-based agriculture rather than general vegetable or ornamental gardening.

Explanation

The sentence is in the Simple Past tense, indicated by the verb trusted. When converting from active to passive voice in the Simple Past, the structure follows the pattern: Subject + was/were + past participle (V3) + by + Object. In this case, the object of the active sentence (anyone) combined with the negative adverb (never) is transformed into the negative subject "No one" followed by the adverb "ever" to maintain the original meaning. The verb trusted becomes was trusted, and the active subject she changes to the object pronoun her preceded by the preposition by.

Explanation

The passage refers to the intended purpose of building dams in relation to managing natural disasters. In environmental engineering and hydrology, dams are primarily designed for flood control, which involves regulating the volume and flow of water in a river to prevent downstream inundation. The word control is the standard technical term used to describe the management and mitigation of such natural phenomena, indicating the power to restrain or direct the flow of water to ensure safety and stability.

Explanation

In the context of dam management and hydrology, the term release refers to the controlled or forced discharge of water from a reservoir through spillways or gates. During periods of heavy rainfall, if a reservoir reaches its maximum capacity or if sedimentation has reduced its storage volume, authorities are compelled to let out large volumes of water to ensure the structural integrity of the dam. This sudden outflow of water into downstream areas significantly intensifies the volume of river flow, thereby aggravating flood conditions in the surrounding regions, as occurred during the 2006 floods in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Explanation

The preposition in is used to indicate the location of something within the boundaries of a large area or region, such as a state or a country. In this context, the flood situation occurred within the geographical territories of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Therefore, in is the grammatically correct choice to link the event to the specific administrative states where it took place.

Explanation

The word devastated is the most suitable choice because it means to cause great destruction or severe damage to something. In the context of natural calamities like floods, devastated is the standard term used to describe the ruinous effect on human life, buildings, and assets. The passage describes a situation where the release of water from dams exacerbated a crisis, leading to a massive loss of property and life, which aligns perfectly with the definition of causing widespread and overwhelming destruction.

Explanation

The verb deprived means to prevent someone or something from having or using something, typically something essential or beneficial. It is frequently used with the preposition of. In this context, sedimentation in the reservoir traps the silt behind the dam, preventing it from flowing downstream. Consequently, the plains downstream are deprived of silt, which is a natural fertilizer necessary for soil fertility. This usage correctly completes the sentence by describing the loss of a valuable resource for the land.

Explanation

The word covetous describes a person who has an excessive or greedy desire to possess something, often focusing on accumulating wealth or material goods for oneself. In contrast, benevolent describes a person who is kind-hearted, well-meaning, and characterized by a desire to give or do good for others. While covetousness is rooted in selfish acquisition and greed, benevolence represents the opposite trait of generosity and selflessness, making it the most suitable antonym for the given word.

Explanation

The term laconic refers to a style of speech or writing that uses very few words to express ideas concisely and effectively. In the context of the sentence, it serves as the logical contrast to verbose, which describes communication that is unnecessarily wordy or long-winded. A laconic speech is often viewed as more impactful because it delivers its message with precision and brevity, ensuring that the core point is not lost in excessive or redundant language.

Explanation

The English language uses the correlative structure too + adjective + to-infinitive to indicate that a quality exists to an excessive degree, making a subsequent action impossible. In this sentence, the phrase too tired to work correctly establishes that the level of fatigue was high enough to prevent the subject from continuing her labor. While the word so functions as an intensifier, it typically pairs with a result clause introduced by that to show consequence. In contrast, the word too specifically pairs with the infinitive to to express a negative limit or an inability to perform an action. This structure accurately conveys the intended meaning of being excessively exhausted.

Explanation

The error in the sentence is the use of a double comparative in the phrase He is more smarter. In English grammar, the comparative degree of an adjective is formed either by adding the suffix -er to monosyllabic words (e.g., smart becomes smarter) or by using the adverb more before multisyllabic words (e.g., more intelligent). Since smart is a short, one-syllable adjective, its comparative form is smarter. Using both more and the -er suffix together is redundant and grammatically incorrect. To rectify the error, the word more should be removed.

Explanation

The verb succumb is the standard idiomatic expression used in English to describe a person dying as a result of a disease, illness, or physical trauma. When followed by the preposition to, as in the phrase succumbed to his injuries, it indicates that the victim was unable to recover from or resist the fatal effects of the wounds sustained during the accident. This usage is common in formal reporting and medical contexts to signify the cause of death.

Explanation

To trifle with something means to treat it without seriousness or respect, which perfectly fits the context of not taking driving rules lightly. While tamper with involves unauthorized physical alteration or interference (like tampering with a car's engine), trifle with is the idiomatic expression used for disregarding the importance of regulations or safety.

Explanation

The word exalt is derived from the Latin exaltare, which means to lift up or elevate. In a figurative sense, it refers to the act of glorifying, honoring, or speaking of someone or something in a very respectful and admiring way. This directly corresponds to the meaning of praise, which involves expressing warm approval or admiration for the achievements or qualities of a person or entity. Thus, exalt and praise are synonymous in the context of high commendation.

Explanation

The word manipulate is correctly spelled following its Latin origin, manipulat-, which is the past participle stem of manipulare meaning to lead by the hand. It is formed by combining the root mani-, derived from manus meaning hand, with the suffix -pulate. In standard English usage, the word functions as a verb to describe the act of handling or controlling something with skill, or influencing a person or situation in a clever or unscrupulous way. The spelling adheres to the phonetic structure where the vowels following the initial m remain consistent with its etymological roots.

Explanation

Sentences beginning with the phrase It is time followed by an infinitive (to + V1) and an object are converted into passive voice using the specific structure: It is time + for + object + to be + past participle (V3). In the active sentence It is time to serve dinner, the object is dinner and the infinitive is to serve. Applying the rule, we introduce the preposition for before the object and transform the active infinitive into the passive infinitive to be served. This maintains the original meaning while shifting the focus to the action being performed on the object.

Explanation

The word vigilant refers to the state of being keenly watchful to detect danger, ever awake and alert, or circumspect. Careless is the appropriate antonym because it denotes a lack of attention, concern, or consideration for accuracy and safety, representing the exact opposite behavioral trait of being watchful and alert.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice of the Present Indefinite Tense, indicated by the structure are still believed in. To convert this into the active voice, the object of the passive sentence (people) becomes the subject, and the verb is changed to its base form (V1) to match the present tense. Since the subject people is plural, the verb believe is used without an s or es suffix. The preposition in remains with the verb believe as it is a phrasal verb construction, and the adverb still maintains its position before the main verb.

Explanation

Retrospection is derived from the Latin roots retro, meaning back, and specere, meaning to look. It refers to the action or process of reviewing or contemplating past events, situations, or periods of time. This term specifically describes the mental act of surveying one's past experiences or historical occurrences to gain perspective or understanding.

Explanation

The word argument is the correctly spelled noun derived from the verb argue. In English spelling, when the suffix -ment is attached to the verb argue, the silent e at the end of the root word is dropped. This results in the standard form a-r-g-u-m-e-n-t. This follows a specific orthographic convention where certain verbs ending in a silent e omit that vowel before the -ment suffix to form the corresponding noun.

Explanation

The word extravagant describes a person who spends money or uses resources in an excessive, wasteful, or unrestrained manner. In contrast, thrifty refers to the quality of being careful and diligent in the management of money and resources, ensuring they are used wisely and without waste. Thrifty serves as the direct antonym by representing the practice of economy and frugality as opposed to indulgence and excess.

Explanation

According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, when two subjects are joined by phrases such as along with, together with, as well as, or accompanied by, the verb must agree with the first subject. In this sentence, the first subject is the child, which is singular. Consequently, the plural auxiliary verb were is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced by the singular auxiliary verb was to match the singular subject.

Explanation

The sentence C serves as the ideal introduction to the paragraph by defining the subject, friendship, as a highly valued relationship. Sentence B logically follows by comparing friendship to other relationships and introducing the concept of well-defined principles that govern it. Sentence A then specifies the first of these principles, which is that one must be a friend to have one. Finally, sentence D concludes the logical progression by using the conjunction thus to explain the implication of that principle, stating that one must be reliable to expect reliability from others.

Explanation

In the context of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the term leaked is the most appropriate verb to describe the accidental escape of methyl isocyanate from storage tanks. To leak specifically means to lose contents through an opening, such as a hole or a crack, which accurately describes the mechanical failure and subsequent discharge of gas from the pressurized steel containers at the Union Carbide plant. This word effectively conveys the unintentional and hazardous nature of the gas escaping into the atmosphere from its designated containment vessel.

Explanation

The preposition at is used to denote a specific location, point, or workplace. In this context, the sentence refers to the physical location of the steel containers within the premises of the Union Carbide facility. When identifying a particular industrial site or establishment where an event takes place, at is the standard English preposition to indicate that specific point in space.

Explanation

The context of the Bhopal gas tragedy involves the release of methyl isocyanate, a highly toxic and lethal chemical that caused thousands of fatalities. In this sentence, the word deathly is the most appropriate adjective to describe the gas cloud because it means causing or suggesting death, or being lethal in nature. It accurately characterizes the fatal impact of the toxic fumes on the population of Bhopal, aligning with the subsequent mention of a legacy of instant death.

Explanation

The word deferred describes deaths that were postponed or delayed rather than occurring immediately. In the context of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the leak of methyl isocyanate resulted in two distinct patterns of mortality: those who died instantly due to acute toxicity and those who suffered from chronic health complications, such as respiratory failure and immune system damage, which led to death months or even years after the initial exposure. Using the term deferred accurately reflects the long-term lethal impact of the chemical disaster on the survivors.

Explanation

The word successful is an adjective used to modify the noun effort. Grammatically, an adjective must be modified by an adverb rather than another adjective. While partial is an adjective, partially is its adverbial form. Thus, the phrase requires the adverb partially to correctly modify the adjective successful. The conjunction but serves to contrast the desperate nature of the attempt with its result, creating a concise and grammatically accurate description of the effort made.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces the primary subject by stating the importance of starting with one's mother tongue. Sentence A directly follows B as the pronoun that refers back to the practice of learning the mother tongue, specifying that this importance is based on an emotional reason. Sentence D introduces a transition using however to contrast the emotional value of the mother tongue with the practical importance of learning English. Sentence C completes the logical flow by providing the explanation for the practical reasons mentioned in D, noting that language proficiency leads to better opportunities.

Explanation

The word insatiable describes an appetite, desire, or greed that is so great that it can never be satisfied or appeased. It is derived from the Latin prefix in-, meaning not, and satiare, meaning to fill or satisfy. This term is frequently used in contexts where a person or entity has an endless craving for something, such as power, wealth, or knowledge, ensuring they are never content.

Explanation

The word concise is used to describe speech or writing that is succinct and to the point, conveying a great deal of information in a few words. It originates from the Latin word concisus, which means cut short. The term brief is a direct synonym as it also refers to using few words or being short in duration. Both words share the core meaning of being compressed and avoiding unnecessary length or superfluity in expression.

Explanation

The idiom to put the cart before the horse refers to doing things in the wrong order or reversing the logical sequence of events. Since a horse is naturally meant to be in front of a cart to pull it, placing the cart ahead of the horse is counterproductive and illogical. In a metaphorical sense, it means prioritizing the secondary or final aspects of a task before completing the essential initial steps, thereby doing last things first.

Explanation

The idiom speaks volumes means to convey a significant amount of information or provide strong evidence about a particular quality or situation, often without the need for verbal expression. In the context of the sentence, the individual's achievement at a young age serves as a clear and substantial testament to their underlying ability. It implies that the success itself is so impactful and evident that it functions as a powerful demonstration or provides enough proof of the person's talent.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a chronological and logical progression of events beginning with a problem and ending with its solution. Sentence C sets the context by introducing the narrator's motivation, which is the lack of authentic Indian food in Maryland. Sentence A provides the logical consequence of this situation, using the conjunction so to link the missing food to the thought of opening a restaurant. Sentence D continues the narrative by showing the narrator taking action on this idea by purchasing a building. Sentence B concludes the sequence by describing the renovation of the place mentioned in the previous sentence to prepare it for business.

Explanation

The term equilibrium is derived from the Latin roots aequus, meaning equal, and libra, meaning balance or weight. It defines a condition where all acting influences or forces are canceled out by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system. This state of perfect balance applies to physical systems in science, where the net force and torque are zero, as well as to economic or mental states where opposing elements reach a point of parity and stability.

Explanation

The verb comply is idiomatically followed by the fixed preposition with rather than by. While the verb abide uses the preposition by to form the phrasal verb abide by, the word comply requires with to maintain grammatical correctness when referring to adherence to rules or laws. The phrase should correctly be written as Not complying with to be structurally sound.

Explanation

Sentence D serves as the introductory statement by establishing the primary theme through a metaphor, emphasizing the vital importance of lyrics in the context of popular Indian cinema. Sentence A builds upon this by detailing how lyrics contribute to a distinctive narrative and noting the historical continuity of these conventions from the era of the first talking films. Sentence C introduces a nuance using the transition word "However," explaining that songs have evolved beyond mere narrative tools to develop their own musical grammar and a deep emotional connection with listeners. Sentence B concludes the sequence logically, using the word "Thus" to state the final result of this emotional resonance: that songs often endure in public memory far longer than the movies for which they were originally composed.

Explanation

The word devout is used to describe an individual who possesses and demonstrates deep religious feeling or commitment. It originates from the Latin word devotus, meaning dedicated or devoted. Similarly, pious refers to someone who is deeply religious and shows a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest desire to fulfill religious obligations. Both terms are primarily used to characterize a person's sincere and profound dedication to their faith and spiritual practices, making them direct synonyms.

Explanation

The word exhilarate means to make someone feel very happy, animated, or elated. It is derived from the Latin verb exhilarare, which combines the prefix ex- (meaning thoroughly) with hilarare (meaning to gladden or make cheerful). This root comes from the Latin word hilaris, meaning cheerful, which is also the source of the English word hilarious. The correct spelling requires the letter h after the initial x, followed by the vowel i, and the middle syllable is spelled with an a, reflecting its etymological origin.

Explanation

The sentence conveys a sense of despair and frustration resulting from a series of failures, as indicated by the phrase nothing seemed to be working for me. In such a negative context, the most logical action is to express bitterness or resentment toward one's situation. The verb cursing appropriately describes the act of lamenting one's fate or expressing intense dissatisfaction with one's life circumstances when things are going poorly.