SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word prolong means to extend the duration or physical length of something, effectively making it last longer. Its most direct antonym is shorten, which means to reduce the length or duration of an extent, making the process or object take less time or space.

Explanation

The word indefatigable is derived from the Latin root fatigare, which means to tire, combined with the prefix in-, which serves as a negation. Therefore, the term literally describes a person or their efforts as being incapable of being tired out. It is used to characterize an individual who persists tirelessly in their tasks, showing sustained enthusiasm and energy without yielding to fatigue or exhaustion.

Explanation

The word place is used to refer to a specific location or area, which in this context is identified by the proper name Thanni Paarai. Since the passage describes a natural setting where an elephant is observed near a waterbody and rocks, the general noun place correctly categorizes this geographical site.

Explanation

The verb sprinkling is the most appropriate choice to describe the action of an elephant using its trunk to spray water over its body. The context of the passage mentions that the elephant was at a waterbody and later refers to the action as a nice shower, which directly aligns with the act of sprinkling water to bathe or cool down.

Explanation

The context of the passage establishes that the elephant is at a waterbody and has been splashing water on itself. The sentence following blank (3) describes the substance as being green and unsuitable for human consumption, which directly refers to the condition of the water found in the stagnant or natural waterbody mentioned previously.

Explanation

The phrasal verb walk over is used to describe the movement of an individual or animal from one point to another to approach a specific object or person. In this context, it indicates that the elephant moved across a short distance to reach the rock. This idiomatic construction is the standard way to express approaching a nearby target in English, fitting the sequence of events where the elephant nears the rock to lift it and drink.

Explanation

The context describes a natural setting where an elephant lifts a rock to find clean water. A spring is a natural source of water that can be found under or between rocks, whereas a tap, tank, or pond would not logically be hidden beneath a single rock that an elephant lifts to drink from.

Explanation

In English grammar, when a sentence begins with the introductory there, the verb must agree in number with the real subject that follows it. In the given sentence, the subject many modes is plural. Consequently, the singular verb is must be replaced with the plural verb are to maintain subject-verb agreement. The grammatically correct construction is There are many modes of travel.

Explanation

In sports terminology, the verb hold is the standard idiomatic expression used to describe the possession of a record. When an athlete achieves the best performance ever recorded in a specific event, they are said to hold the record for that event. Since Hima Das established and maintains the fastest time in the national category for her sprinting discipline, the term holds correctly identifies her status as the current record-bearer.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression from a general problem to specific examples. Sentence B serves as the introduction by establishing the primary topic: the Philippines' reputation as a major ocean polluter due to single-use plastics. Sentence A follows B by using the demonstrative phrase "That sort of pollution" to link back to the plastics mentioned in B, while explaining the broader impact on Southeast Asian wildlife. Sentence D provides a specific, recent example of the phenomenon described in A, detailing the death of a whale in the Philippines. Sentence C concludes the sequence by offering a comparative case in Thailand, where the word "also" serves as a transition to show that the issue identified in the previous sentences is a regional trend.

Explanation

The sentence uses the perfect participle structure to indicate an action completed in the past before another action began. The grammatical formula for a perfect participle is Having + Past Participle (V₃). In the segment taking a heavy, the present participle taking (Vᵢₙ_g) is used incorrectly after Having just. To make the sentence grammatically correct, the past participle form of the verb take, which is taken, must be used. Therefore, the phrase should be written as Having just taken a heavy lunch.

Explanation

The word scanty refers to something that is meager, insufficient, or limited in quantity or amount. In contrast, profuse describes something that is very plentiful, abundant, or available in great quantities. Since scanty denotes a lack or shortage and profuse denotes an overflowing or generous supply, they function as direct opposites in terms of quantity and scale.

Explanation

The word luxury refers to a state of great comfort or extravagant living. It is derived from the Latin root luxuria, meaning excess or profusion. The standard English spelling consists of the six-letter sequence l-u-x-u-r-y. This spelling adheres to the suffix pattern -ury, which is frequently used in English nouns to denote a specific state, condition, or collective quality, as seen in related words like treasury or usury.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple past tense, as indicated by the verb opened and the time marker last month. To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the simple past tense, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence, followed by the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb be (was or were) and the past participle (V3) of the main verb. Since the new subject a new mall is singular, the auxiliary verb was is used with the past participle opened. The resulting structure follows the standard passive form for simple past: Subject + was/were + V3 + adjuncts.

Explanation

The sentence requires the Past Perfect tense to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. When two events occurred in the past, the earlier event is expressed using the structure had + past participle (V3). Since the film began before the arrival at the cinema, the auxiliary had must be followed by the past participle started.

Explanation

Sentence C serves as the introduction by establishing the context of people repeatedly visiting a wise man to complain about their persistent problems. Sentence B follows logically as it describes the wise man's immediate response to these people by telling a joke that elicits a strong positive reaction. Sentence D continues the narrative by showing the result of the wise man repeating that same joke, demonstrating how the audience's amusement quickly fades. Sentence A concludes the passage by delivering the wise man's punchline or moral lesson, using the observation from the joke to provide a philosophical perspective on why people should not dwell on the same problems repeatedly.

Explanation

The verb think is a stative verb when used to express an opinion, belief, or a current mental state. Stative verbs are generally used in the simple present tense rather than the continuous tense in this context. The original construction I am think is grammatically incorrect because the auxiliary verb am must be followed by a present participle like thinking or a past participle like thought. By using the simple present form I think, the sentence correctly conveys a current intention or thought regarding a future action. This aligns with the use of the future tense will take to describe the plan for tomorrow, creating a grammatically sound and logical sentence structure.

Explanation

The idiom turn a deaf ear refers to the act of intentionally ignoring or refusing to listen to what someone is saying, especially when a request, suggestion, or complaint is being made. In the context of the sentence, it signifies that the authorities have completely disregarded or overlooked the requests submitted to them, choosing not to take any action or provide a response.

Explanation

The word illegible refers to handwriting or print that is impossible or extremely difficult to read due to being untidy, faint, or poorly formed. It is derived from the Latin root legere, meaning to read, combined with the negative prefix il-, which signifies not. Therefore, any text that cannot be deciphered or understood by a reader is described as being illegible.

Explanation

The idiom get out of hand refers to a situation that has escaped management or regulation and is no longer under control. It often implies that a circumstance or a group of people has become unruly, chaotic, or excessive, making it difficult for an authority figure to maintain order. The phrase likely originates from the literal loss of control over a horse's reins, signifying that the situation is now moving according to its own momentum rather than being directed.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice and simple past tense, following the structure by whom + was/were + subject + past participle. To convert this into the active voice, the agent by whom is changed to the subject who. In the simple past tense, the active voice construction uses the second form of the verb (V2) without an auxiliary verb in interrogative sentences starting with who. Therefore, were taught is replaced by the simple past active verb taught. The passive subject you becomes the direct object in the active voice, leading to the structure who taught you Mathematics?

Explanation

The phrase for the last two months indicates a duration of time starting in the past and continuing up to the present moment. To express an action that began in the past and is still ongoing, the Present Perfect Continuous tense is required. The structure of this tense is Subject + have/has + been + Verb+ing. Since the subject is I and the context implies the job search is still active, the correct substitution is have been looking for a better job. This tense properly links the past activity with the present situation described in the latter part of the sentence.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Past Continuous tense in passive voice, following the structure: Subject + was/were + being + V3 + by + Object. To convert it into active voice, the object of the passive sentence (gun-toting guards) becomes the subject, and the tense must be maintained in the active Past Continuous form: Subject + was/were + V-ing + Object. Since "guards" is a plural subject, it takes the auxiliary verb "were" followed by the present participle "guarding" to correctly represent the ongoing action in the past.

Explanation

The word escalate means to increase rapidly in intensity, magnitude, or scope, often used in contexts like rising prices or intensifying conflicts. The word reduce means to make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. Since escalate denotes an upward or expanding movement and reduce denotes a downward or diminishing movement, they are direct antonyms.

Explanation

The idiom costs an arm and a leg is a figurative expression used to describe something that is extremely expensive or requires an exorbitant amount of money to purchase. The phrase implies that the price of an item is so high that it is comparable to the value of one's own limbs. While its exact origins are debated, it became particularly prevalent in mid-20th century English to emphasize that a product or service is priced well beyond what is considered reasonable or affordable. It is commonly used in informal speech to highlight the significant financial sacrifice needed to acquire a luxury item or a high-priced necessity.

Explanation

The spelling examplify is incorrect because the standard English spelling of the word meaning to illustrate by example is exemplify. It originates from the Latin term exemplum, where the root vowel remains e. Similar morphological patterns are observed in related words such as exemplary and exemplar. The transition from the noun example to the verb exemplify involves a vowel change in the second syllable from a to e.

Explanation

The original sentence is a negative imperative expressing a prohibition or instruction. When converting an imperative sentence into passive voice, the standard structure involves using the modal verb should to convey the sense of advice or duty. The construction follows the pattern: Subject (original object) + should + not + be + past participle (V3). In this case, your car becomes the subject, followed by should not be and the past participle parked, accurately reflecting the instructional tone of the active voice.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical narrative flow starting with the primary subject and moving toward specific details. Sentence C introduces the core topic by describing the ivory haul and its massive economic value, setting the stage for the report. Sentence B provides the immediate context of the event, identifying the location as Thailand and emphasizing the record-breaking nature of the seizure. Sentence A then offers the backstory regarding the origin of the tusks and the duration of the tracking operation from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sentence D completes the narrative by detailing the logistical route through Laos and the intended final market for the illegal goods across the Asian continent.

Explanation

The sentence is in the passive voice of the simple past tense, which follows the structure Subject + was/were + V₃ (was given). To convert this into the active voice, the sentence must use the simple past tense structure Subject + V₂ + Object. The past tense form (V₂) of the verb "give" is "gave". In the active form, the recipient "him" becomes the indirect object and "a book" becomes the direct object, resulting in "She gave him a book for his birthday." This transformation maintains the original meaning and the past time frame while correctly identifying the doer of the action.

Explanation

The sentence follows the rule of subject-verb agreement, where the verb must agree in number with the actual subject of the sentence. Here, the subject is the singular noun phrase The cost, while of fruits and vegetables is a prepositional phrase acting as a modifier. Since the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. The plural auxiliary verb have risen is therefore grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with the singular form has risen to correctly correspond with the subject.

Explanation

The relative pronoun whose is used to indicate possession or a relationship between a person and the noun that follows it. In this sentence, the noun parents belongs to the noun friend, requiring a possessive connector. The singular subject Meera also correctly takes the singular verb has to maintain proper subject-verb agreement. Therefore, substituting the original segment with has a friend whose parents live provides the necessary possessive link while maintaining grammatical accuracy.

Explanation

The word trivial refers to something that is of little value, importance, or significance. It is used to describe details, problems, or facts that are so minor or commonplace that they do not merit serious attention or consideration in a specific context.

Explanation

The sequence begins with sentence C, which introduces the central theme by posing a philosophical question about the emotional connection people have with money. Sentence B follows logically by using the phrase "Such questions" to refer directly back to the inquiry raised in C, explaining the common reaction of being baffled by such thoughts. Sentence D then transitions into a factual statement about the nature of money, asserting that it lacks inherent value without a practical application. Sentence A serves as the concluding statement, refining the point made in D by clarifying that the specific value of money is functionally tied to the purpose for which it is being employed.

Explanation

The sentence uses the correct passive infinitive structure to express a formal instruction or requirement. The construction "be + to be + past participle" is standard for conveying that something must be done according to a schedule or rule. Here, the plural verb "are" correctly agrees with the plural subject "Applications," and "to be sent" appropriately indicates the action being performed on the subject. The preposition "to" is also used correctly to denote the recipient, the Principal. Therefore, the original phrasing is grammatically sound and requires no changes.

Explanation

The word daunting is used to describe a task, journey, or route that is intimidatingly difficult, challenging, or overwhelming. In the context of the sentence, the traveller is described as determined, which implies that the path they chose was full of obstacles or hardships requiring significant resolve to overcome. A daunting route aligns perfectly with the need for a traveller to be determined, as it suggests a course of action that would discourage someone with less persistence.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Simple Past tense, following the structure: Subject + V₂ + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the object becomes the new subject and the structure changes to: New Subject + was/were + V₃ (Past Participle) + by + New Object. In this case, the object "the violin" is singular, so it takes the auxiliary verb "was" followed by the past participle "played", resulting in the passive form "The violin was played by the artist."

Explanation

Ductility is a physical property of a material, typically a metal, that describes its ability to undergo significant plastic deformation under tensile stress before failure. This property specifically allows the substance to be stretched, pulled, or drawn out into long, thin wires without fracturing. In metallurgy, this occurs because the atoms in the metallic crystal lattice can slide over one another into new positions while maintaining their metallic bonds. Typical examples of highly ductile materials include gold, silver, and copper.

Explanation

The term native refers to a person, animal, or plant that is indigenous to a specific region or environment, meaning it originated or was born in that particular place rather than being introduced from elsewhere. It signifies an inherent and original connection to a geographic location, often used in biological contexts to describe species that occur naturally in an ecosystem.

Explanation

Sentence D serves as the introductory statement by defining Kalamkari as a hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile and identifying its primary regions of production in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sentence A follows by adding descriptive detail regarding the production process, specifically the exclusive use of natural dyes and the multi-step nature of the craft. Sentence B transitions the topic to the classification of the art form by stating there are two distinctive styles. Sentence C concludes the sequence by identifying those two styles as Sri Kalahasti and Machlipatnam, using the pronoun They to refer back to the styles introduced in the preceding sentence.

Explanation

The word obstacle refers to a hindrance, impediment, or something that obstructs progress or movement. A barrier is a precise synonym as it defines a physical object or an abstract circumstance that blocks a path, prevents access, or makes it difficult for someone to achieve an objective. Both terms are used to describe anything that stands in the way of a goal or movement.

Explanation

The word fortieth is the correct ordinal representation of the number forty. In English orthography, when forming an ordinal number from a cardinal number that ends in y, the y is replaced with ie before adding the suffix th. Following this standard spelling rule, forty transitions to fortieth to denote the position of the number forty in a sequence or series.

Explanation

Serenity is the correct spelling for the noun that signifies a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. It is derived from the adjective serene, following the standard English morphological rule where the suffix -ity is added to an adjective to form an abstract noun. The word originates from the Latin serenitas, which refers to clearness or calmness, and is used to describe both atmospheric conditions and a person's state of mind.

Explanation

The pronoun none can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the context and the noun to which it refers. In this sentence, none refers to cows or the gentlest of animals, both of which are plural nouns. Additionally, the subsequent use of the plural possessive pronoun their indicates that the subject none is being treated as plural in this context. To maintain numerical agreement between the subject, the verb, and the possessive pronoun within the clause, the plural verb show should be used instead of the singular shows.

Explanation

The early 20th century, particularly the 1910s and 1920s, marked the silent film era when Hollywood transformed from a fledgling experiment into a dominant global industry. Charlie Chaplin became one of the first international superstars during this period, achieving unprecedented levels of worldwide fame in a very short span of time. The term explosive is used to describe a sudden, rapid, and massive increase in scale or intensity, which accurately characterizes the unprecedented speed at which the film industry and Chaplin's popularity expanded during those decades.

Explanation

The word endeavour refers to a sincere, determined, and strenuous effort to achieve a specific goal or to carry out a particular task. It implies a sense of earnestness and dedication in the pursuit of an objective. Attempt is the most appropriate synonym because it also signifies the act of making an effort or a trial to accomplish something, particularly when the outcome is uncertain or the task is challenging. Both terms focus on the exertion and the process of striving toward a purpose.

Explanation

The idiom nipped in the bud originates from horticulture, where a bud is pinched or cut off to prevent it from growing into a flower or leaf. Metaphorically, it refers to stopping a situation, plan, or problem at its very beginning or earliest stage of development, thereby preventing it from progressing further or becoming established. In the context of the sentence, it means the local council stopped the idea of the children's park before any significant action or progress could be made.

Explanation

The idiom in the running means to be a competitor in a contest or a candidate in an election with a fair chance of winning. In the context of a political constituency and the post of Member of Parliament, it signifies that the individual is officially participating as a candidate and contesting the seat against other opponents.

Explanation

The word weakness refers to a state or condition of lacking physical or mental power, vigor, or durability. Its most direct antonym is strength, which denotes the quality or state of being physically or mentally powerful, resilient, and capable of exerting great force or withstanding pressure.

Explanation

The sentence employs a parallel structure to describe the effects of the cyclone using the present perfect passive voice. The auxiliary verb have been applies to all three consequences mentioned: land have been flooded, roads (have been) destroyed, and communications (have been) disrupted. In this structure, each verb must be in its past participle form (V3) to maintain parallelism and the passive sense. While flooded and destroyed are correctly used as past participles, disrupting is a present participle (V-ing) that indicates active action. To correct the grammatical error and maintain consistency with the preceding clauses, disrupting must be replaced with the past participle disrupted.

Explanation

A tyrant is an absolute ruler who exercises power in a cruel, oppressive, or unjust manner, typically characterized by the abuse of authority and the infliction of hardship on others. Conversely, a benefactor is a person who provides help, such as money or support, to an individual or a cause. While a tyrant takes away rights and well-being through force, a benefactor gives resources and aid to improve the situation of others, making it the most appropriate antonym in terms of their impact on people.