SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The context of the passage identifies elephants as engineers of the ecosystem specifically through their role in the reproduction of forest vegetation. The sentence following the blank mentions that certain species disperse seeds only through elephants, which provides a direct linguistic and thematic clue. In ecology, animals that spread seeds to new locations are known as seed dispersers, a process vital for maintaining the health and diversity of forest ecosystems by ensuring the growth of young plants.

Explanation

The passage discusses the critical role of elephants as ecosystem engineers and seed dispersers. The sentence indicates that in the absence of elephants, certain forests fail to produce young trees or vegetation. This is because, as the following sentence clarifies, some plant species rely exclusively on elephants for the dispersal of their seeds. Therefore, the term elephants fits the context of identifying the specific animal whose absence leads to a lack of forest regeneration.

Explanation

In the context of forest ecology and regeneration, the presence of young trees is the primary indicator that a forest is successfully reproducing. The passage highlights the role of elephants as seed dispersers. When elephants are absent from an ecosystem, the seeds of specific tree species that rely solely on them for dispersal fail to germinate and grow in new locations. This lack of successful germination and growth means that the forest will not produce a new generation of trees, which are specifically known as saplings.

Explanation

The word certain acts as a determiner referring to specific or particular types of plant species that are not explicitly named but are defined by their unique ecological needs. In the context of the passage, the author is explaining why some forests lack young growth in the absence of elephants. Since seed dispersal mechanisms vary across the plant kingdom, it is specifically a subset of flora—often referred to as mega-faunal fruit species—that has evolved to rely exclusively on large herbivores. Using certain accurately restricts the claim to these particular species that are dependent on elephants for their reproductive cycle, thereby providing a logical reason for the observed ecological decline.

Explanation

The context of the sentence refers to the ability of elephants to adjust and thrive when faced with "new ecological conditions". In environmental science and biology, the process by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment is termed "adapting". The reflexive construction "adapting themselves to" specifically denotes the capacity of a species to modify its behavior or characteristics to meet the demands of a changing habitat.

Explanation

The word tilt refers to a sloping position or a movement that causes something to lean or incline to one side. The word slant is a direct synonym as it describes a position that is at an angle rather than being perfectly horizontal or vertical. Both terms are used to denote a deviation from a straight, level, or upright line.

Explanation

The verb investigating is the most suitable choice in a scientific context because it refers to the process of carrying out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of a situation. When scientists at a university study a phenomenon like sustainable energy from plants, they are conducting research to understand the underlying mechanisms and potential applications, which is precisely defined as investigating. It implies a detailed and methodical study aimed at uncovering new knowledge or solutions.

Explanation

The sentence requires the passive voice because the town is the recipient of the action rather than the performer. The context describes a situation where the town was abandoned or remaining in a state of having no manual workers due to the retirement of previous staff. The past simple passive construction, was left, correctly indicates that the town was placed in this condition by external circumstances before the mayor began cleaning.

Explanation

The pronoun he refers back to the antecedent An Italian mayor mentioned in the first sentence. In the context of the passage, the mayor is the individual taking personal responsibility for cleaning the town due to the lack of manual workers. Since the mayor is a singular subject, the masculine singular pronoun he is the most appropriate choice to describe his actions in sweeping the piazza.

Explanation

The adjective local is the most suitable choice as it describes something belonging to or situated in a particular area or neighborhood. In the context of the passage, which focuses on the mayor of Zerfaliu and his councilors cleaning their own town, the local church refers to the specific church located within that town where the cleaning activity was occurring. This term is standard English usage for identifying community buildings or institutions within a specific town or parish.

Explanation

The preposition alongside is used to indicate that someone is positioned next to or working together with another person. In the context of the sentence, it describes the deputy mayor's father and a town councilor performing the cleaning task in the same area as the mayor. It correctly links the participants in the collective action of cleaning the town's public space by showing their physical and cooperative proximity during the activity.

Explanation

The passage describes a situation where the mayor and his councilors are performing manual labor because the town lacks professional staff to maintain the streets. The first sentence establishes that the town was left with no manual workers. The final sentence explains the cause of this shortage, stating that the town's last worker retired six months ago and a replacement could not be hired due to bureaucratic hurdles. This directly links the absence of manual labor to the retirement of the person previously employed in that specific role.

Explanation

The sentence requires the Present Perfect tense because the phrase how long is used to ask about the duration of an action that started in the past and continues into the present. In interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb must be placed before the subject. The structure for a question in the Present Perfect tense is Wh-word + have/has + subject + past participle (V3). Following this rule, have you lived correctly provides the necessary perfect aspect and proper word order for a question.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple future tense, following the structure subject + will + base form of the verb (will put). To convert this into the passive voice, the object (their woollens) becomes the new subject, followed by the auxiliary verb construction will + be + the past participle of the main verb. The past participle of the verb put is put. Consequently, the active structure will put away transforms into the passive structure will be put away. The temporal phrase after the festival of Holi remains unchanged at the end of the sentence.

Explanation

The word brittle is an adjective used to describe materials that are hard and rigid but possess very little tensile strength, making them likely to shatter or snap when subjected to even a small amount of force or pressure. Unlike ductile materials which deform or bend under stress, brittle substances fail suddenly without significant prior deformation, which is the defining characteristic of being liable to break easily. Common examples of brittle materials include glass, ceramics, and certain types of cast iron.

Explanation

The word insult refers to the act of treating or speaking to someone with disrespect, scorn, or abusive language. To offend means to cause someone to feel hurt, resentful, or upset, typically by being rude or showing a lack of respect. Both terms describe actions or words that damage a person's dignity or feelings, making them synonymous in this context.

Explanation

The verb afford is used to indicate having enough money to pay for something. In the context of a government responding to a court-mandated salary increase, the sentence refers to the financial capacity or budgetary constraints of the state. Therefore, afford is the only word that logically completes the sentence by expressing that the government lacks the necessary funds to meet the additional expenditure.

Explanation

The word negligent describes a person who fails to take proper care or gives insufficient attention to a duty or responsibility. In the context of the sentence, the speaker is expressing satisfaction with their own conduct regarding the development of someone else's character. By stating they have not been negligent in doing whatever was needful, the speaker is confirming that they were diligent, attentive, and responsible in performing the necessary tasks. The use of the negative construction not been negligent creates a sense of fulfillment, implying that no required effort was overlooked or ignored in the pursuit of the stated goal.

Explanation

The sequence begins with sentence B, which introduces the protagonist, Arvind, and the specific memory of his daughter’s infancy triggered by his current environment. This sets the narrative stage. Sentence A follows by describing a specific recurring action within that memory, providing a vivid image of him watching over the crib. The focus then shifts in sentence D to Arvind’s internal thoughts and his attempts to empathize with his daughter’s perception of time. Sentence C provides the concluding justification for these thoughts, explaining the relative nature of time based on the short lifespan of an infant. This structure moves logically from the general context to a specific memory, and then to an abstract reflection prompted by that memory.

Explanation

The word mention is derived from the Latin mentio, meaning a calling to mind or naming. In English orthography, the suffix -tion is the standard spelling for the shun sound in words of Latin origin that have a t or te in their root. Consequently, mention is the correct spelling for the verb meaning to refer to something briefly and the noun meaning a brief reference.

Explanation

The sentence requires subject-verb agreement between the singular subject the male and its corresponding verb. Since the first clause uses the singular verb guards for the female ostrich, the second clause must also use the singular form guards for the male. Furthermore, the prepositional phrase during the day is the standard idiomatic expression used to describe an action occurring throughout the daylight hours, mirroring the temporal reference of at night used earlier in the sentence.

Explanation

Progressive refers to a philosophy or mindset that favors social reform, advancement, and the implementation of new or modern ideas. It represents a forward-looking perspective that seeks to improve current conditions through change and innovation. The word conservative serves as its direct antonym because it characterizes a preference for maintaining the status quo, adhering to traditional values, and preserving established institutions. While a progressive approach encourages evolution and reform, a conservative approach emphasizes stability and the continuity of historical norms, making the two terms semantically opposite in their orientation toward change.

Explanation

The word insatiable is derived from the Latin prefix in- (meaning not) and the root satiare (meaning to fill or satisfy). It describes an appetite, desire, or curiosity that is so great that it can never be fulfilled or appeased, regardless of how much is provided. In English usage, it specifically characterizes a state where a person or an entity possesses a craving that is impossible to satisfy, such as an insatiable hunger for knowledge or an insatiable greed for wealth.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice using the past indefinite tense (was + V₃ + preposition). To convert it into the active voice, the object of the prepositional agent (all his friends) becomes the subject, and the passive verb form (was laughed at) is changed to the simple past active form (laughed at). The subordinate clause (when he wore his socks inside out) remains unchanged as it sets the temporal context for the action. Combining these elements results in the structure: Subject (All his friends) + Verb (V₂ - laughed at) + Object (Rudra) + Clause.

Explanation

Industrialised societies are characterized by large-scale manufacturing, heavy reliance on factories, and the extensive combustion of fossil fuels for energy. These industrial processes release significant quantities of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. When these gases react with water vapor and oxygen, they form acidic compounds that fall to the ground as acid rain. The context of the sentence focuses on the environmental impact of modern production methods and technological advancement, making industrialised the most logically and scientifically accurate descriptor for a society causing such pollution.

Explanation

The idiom in black and white refers to something that is provided in a written or printed form rather than being communicated verbally. It implies a sense of formality, clarity, and permanence, ensuring that there is a documented record that can be referred to in the future to avoid misunderstandings or disputes. The phrase draws from the visual contrast of black ink on white paper, symbolizing a definitive and clear statement of facts, rules, or agreements.

Explanation

The grammatical error in the sentence is the incorrect use of the preposition at. In English, when describing the condition, form, or mode of existence of a substance, the preposition in is used. Therefore, the phrase should be in a pure state rather than at a pure state. This rule applies to various physical or chemical conditions, such as occurring in a liquid state, in a natural state, or in a gaseous state. The preposition at is typically used for specific points in time, precise locations, or specific levels on a scale, which is not suitable for describing the internal condition or purity of an element.

Explanation

A vagrant is a person who has no permanent home or employment and travels from one place to another, often relying on begging or charity to survive. The term originates from the Latin vagrantem, the present participle of vagari, which translates to wander. In historical and legal contexts, vagrancy was often categorized as the state of being an idle person without visible means of support who moves through communities. This definition precisely matches the description of a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders and lives by begging.

Explanation

The segment "You may left" is grammatically incorrect because modal auxiliary verbs like may, can, shall, and must are always followed by the base form of the verb, also known as the bare infinitive. In this sentence, "may" is followed by "left", which is the past tense or past participle form of the verb "leave". To maintain correct grammatical structure, the base form "leave" must be used after the modal verb, making the correct phrase "You may leave". Modal verbs do not change form based on tense or subject and never take a past tense verb directly after them.

Explanation

Sentence B is the opening sentence as it introduces the subject, Kanyakumari, and provides its geographical context as a coastal town at the southern tip of India. Sentence D logically follows B by expanding on its physical position relative to the Laccadive Sea and mentioning its historical name, Cape Comorin. Sentence A then describes the town's primary attraction for tourists, which is the viewing of the sunset and sunrise. Sentence C concludes the paragraph by using the transition word also to introduce another facet of the town's identity, highlighting its importance as a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Christians.

Explanation

The idiom under someone's nose is used to describe an action that happens in plain sight or in the immediate presence of a person, yet they fail to notice it or are unable to prevent it. In the context of the sentence, it indicates that the two boys were exchanging notes directly in front of the invigilator while he was supposed to be supervising them, highlighting his lack of awareness despite the proximity of the act.

Explanation

Hostility refers to a state of intense unfriendliness, antagonism, or active opposition. It describes a situation where there is ill will or deep-seated resentment between parties. Enmity is the most appropriate synonym as it specifically denotes the feeling or condition of being an enemy or having a state of mutual hatred and animosity. Both words share the core meaning of a lack of peace and the presence of aggressive or unfriendly feelings, making them interchangeable in contexts describing conflict or deep-rooted dislike.

Explanation

The word public refers to something that relates to, is known by, or is open to the people as a whole or the community at large. In contrast, the word private describes something that is intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group and is not for general public knowledge or access. In English vocabulary, these two terms form a standard pair of opposites regarding accessibility, ownership, and visibility. While public denotes a collective or state-oriented nature, private denotes an individual or restricted nature, making it the most direct and appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The context of the passage is established in the first sentence, which specifically mentions the Anjare Turtle festival and Olive Ridley turtles. Since the text describes the characteristics and behaviors of these specific marine reptiles, the term sea turtles is the accurate and logically consistent phrase to identify the subject. Olive Ridleys are a well-known species of sea turtle, and the subsequent sentences regarding their size and nesting habits on beaches confirm that the passage is discussing turtles.

Explanation

The sentence specifies a measurement of two feet to describe the size of the Olive Ridley turtles. In biological contexts, linear dimensions of animals, particularly sea turtles, are standardly measured and expressed in terms of length. Adult Olive Ridley turtles typically reach a carapace shell size of approximately two to two and a half feet, making length the most appropriate noun to follow the unit of measurement provided in the text.

Explanation

The passage describes the migratory and nesting behavior of Olive Ridley turtles, specifically in the context of a conservation festival held at a coastal location. In marine biology, the distance of mating or migration is typically measured from the turtles' specific nesting grounds. Since the following sentence explicitly states that these turtles come to the beach to lay eggs, the term beach is the most logically consistent noun to identify the Anjare coastline where this biological event and the associated festival take place.

Explanation

The word garrulous is an adjective used to describe a person who is excessively talkative, especially regarding trivial or unimportant matters. It originates from the Latin word garrulus, meaning chattering or prattling. A garrulous individual tends to speak at great length, often in a rambling or tedious manner. This matches the definition of being talkative, which refers to someone who is fond of or given to talking.

Explanation

Olive Ridley turtles are marine reptiles that follow an oviparous reproductive strategy, meaning they reproduce by laying eggs. During the nesting season, female turtles migrate to coastal beaches to dig nests in the sand where they deposit their clutches. This biological behavior is the reason for their visit to the shore, as the eggs must be incubated in a terrestrial environment to develop and eventually hatch into hatchlings.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple present tense, as indicated by the verb plucks. When converting from active to passive voice in the simple present tense, the object of the active sentence (fresh flowers) becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Because the new subject is plural, it is followed by the auxiliary verb are and the past participle form of the main verb (plucked). The original subject (Ananya) is then introduced with the preposition by. This follows the standard grammatical structure for passive voice in the simple present: Object + is/am/are + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject.

Explanation

The word illuminate means to provide or brighten with light, or to make something clear and easy to understand. Its primary sense involves increasing the visibility of an object or area by shining light upon it. Darken is the direct opposite as it means to make something dark or to deprive it of light, thereby reducing visibility. Since the action of darkening reverses the process of illuminating, it serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The sentence employs a parallel structure to describe the dual nature of color psychology. While the first set of verbs—calm, pacify, and relax—focuses on a soothing or tranquilizing effect, the second set—energise, activate, and invigorate—focuses on stimulation and vitality. To invigorate means to give strength, energy, or life to something. This term perfectly complements energise and activate by describing the process of making someone feel more energetic and alert, completing the logical progression of the sentence.

Explanation

A barometer is a scientific instrument specifically designed to measure atmospheric pressure, also known as barometric pressure. The concept was popularized by Evangelista Torricelli in the 17th century. By monitoring the weight of the air in the atmosphere, barometers help meteorologists predict short-term changes in weather patterns. Rising pressure typically indicates fair weather, while falling pressure often signals approaching storms or rain. Modern versions include mercury barometers and aneroid barometers, which are widely used in aviation and weather stations globally.

Explanation

The verb compete is the standard term used to describe participation in a contest, sporting event, or athletic race with the goal of winning. In the context of the ancient Olympic Games, historical records indicate that women were strictly barred from participating as athletes or contestants. The preposition in follows the verb to form the common collocation compete in, making it the most linguistically and contextually accurate choice for the sentence.

Explanation

The verb fuse refers to the process of joining or blending two or more things together to form a single entity. It is often used in the context of melting metals to join them or metaphorically when combining different ideas, styles, or groups into one. Consequently, combine is the most appropriate synonym as it directly signifies the act of uniting multiple elements into a whole.

Explanation

The word scramble is correctly spelled as s-c-r-a-m-b-l-e. It functions as both a verb and a noun, primarily referring to a hurried or difficult climb or movement, often involving the use of both hands and feet. This spelling follows the standard English orthographic pattern where the root is combined with the -le suffix preceded by a consonant, similar to the structure found in words like gamble, ramble, and tumble.

Explanation

The word attribute, when used as a noun, refers to a characteristic, feature, or inherent trait that defines a person or thing. It represents a specific property or nature belonging to an entity. Therefore, quality is its most appropriate synonym, as it similarly denotes a distinctive characteristic or attribute of something.

Explanation

The idiom to one's heart's content means to do something as much as one wants or until one is fully satisfied. It originates from the idea of the heart being the seat of desires; thus, if the heart is contented, the desire has been completely fulfilled. In the given sentence, it indicates that the dog played in the pond until it was entirely happy and had no further desire to continue.

Explanation

The idiom to a T or to a tee means perfectly, exactly, or in every detail. It is used to describe something that fits a situation, person, or requirement with absolute precision. When applied to clothing or accessories like glasses, it implies that the item complements the wearer's features or personality flawlessly. In the given sentence, stating that the glasses suit Vandana to a T means they are a perfect match for her and enhance her appearance significantly.

Explanation

The sentence contains a dangling participle error in the segment Entering. According to the rules of English grammar, an introductory participial phrase must logically modify the subject of the main clause that follows it. In this sentence, the main clause is the show had started, making the show the subject. This construction incorrectly implies that the show was the entity entering the hall. Since a show cannot perform the action of entering a hall, the participle Entering lacks a proper subject to modify. To fix this error, the sentence would need to be rewritten to include a logical subject, such as when I entered the hall, the show had started, or entering the hall, I saw the show had started. Because the current phrasing creates a logical mismatch between the action and the subject, the error lies in the participle used at the beginning.

Explanation

The preposition between is used when referring to two distinct entities or people. Since the sentence specifically mentions two families, between is the grammatically correct choice to describe the relationship or connection. The preposition among is typically used for more than two items or when individuals are seen as part of a collective group. The use of the simple present tense exists is appropriate here as it describes a persisting state or condition that explains why the families are not currently friendly.