SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The idiom pull yourself together means to recover control of one's emotions or to regain composure after being upset, angry, or overwhelmed. It is commonly used as an exhortation to someone who is acting in a hysterical or highly emotional manner, suggesting they should stabilize their feelings and behave in a calm, rational way to handle a situation effectively.

Explanation

Conservation refers to the planned management and protection of natural resources, including plants and animal species, to prevent their exploitation, destruction, or neglect. In environmental and ecological contexts, forestry management is a primary tool used to ensure the preservation of biodiversity and the restoration of habitats. The term specifically aligns with the objective of protecting wildlife from human-induced threats such as habitat loss and poaching, aiming for long-term sustainability and survival of ecosystems.

Explanation

The sequence begins with sentence B, which introduces the central theme of India's severe water crisis and identifies the population of one billion people affected. Sentence A follows logically as it uses the pronoun them to refer back to the one billion people mentioned in B, providing a more specific detail that 600 million of those individuals live in areas of extreme water stress. Sentence D then explains the underlying cause of this crisis by stating that India accounts for 24 percent of global groundwater extraction. Finally, sentence C concludes the paragraph by using the pronoun this to refer to the groundwater extraction statistic mentioned in D, comparing India's usage to that of China and the United States combined.

Explanation

The idiom give someone the cold shoulder means to intentionally ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly and distant manner. It is commonly used when a person deliberately avoids social interaction with another to express displeasure, disapproval, or a lack of interest. The phrase likely originated from a medieval custom where a guest who was no longer welcome would be served a cold piece of meat, such as a shoulder of mutton, instead of a warm, fresh meal, signaling that it was time for them to depart.

Explanation

An aviary is a large enclosure, building, or cage designed specifically for the containment and housing of birds. The word originates from the Latin term avis, which means bird. Unlike small birdcages, aviaries are usually spacious enough to allow birds to fly freely within the structure and are frequently used in zoos, research facilities, or private collections to provide a more naturalistic environment.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice using the simple past tense, as indicated by the structure were + past participle (brought up). To convert a simple past passive sentence into the active voice, the auxiliary verb were is removed, and the main verb is used in its simple past form (V2). Since the agent is not explicitly mentioned in the passive construction, the generic pronoun They is used as the active subject. The object of the passive sentence, Their children, becomes the direct object of the active verb. Therefore, the active form follows the structure Subject + V2 + Object, resulting in They brought up their children with great care.

Explanation

The sentence uses the time phrase for two hours, which indicates a duration of time extending from the past to the present. In English grammar, the Present Perfect Continuous tense (Subject + have/has + been + present participle) is specifically used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, especially when the length of time is mentioned. Therefore, have been trying to solve is the grammatically appropriate construction to show that the effort to solve the problem began two hours ago and is still ongoing.

Explanation

This sentence follows the structure of a first conditional (Type 1 conditional), which is used to express a real or possible situation in the present or future and its likely result. The grammatical rule for a first conditional sentence is: If + Simple Present (Condition), Simple Future (Result). In the given sentence, the condition "If you listen" is in the simple present tense, so the main clause must use the simple future tense "it will improve" to correctly indicate the consequence of the action.

Explanation

The word indelible refers to something that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased. Inerasable is the direct synonym, while illegible refers to text that is impossible to read.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical progression from the geographical base to industrial specifics. Sentence C establishes the foundational fact that Canada possesses extensive coniferous forests. Sentence B introduces the economic result of this natural abundance, using the connective word therefore to explain why forest products have historically been essential exports. Sentence D then identifies the primary types of these forest products as pulp and paper. Sentence A concludes the sequence by providing a specific quantitative fact about Canada's global market share in newsprint production, which is a major category of the paper industry mentioned previously. This flow moves from the natural resource to the economic importance, then to specific product categories, and finally to a specific industrial achievement.

Explanation

The sentence requires the correlative pair too + adjective + to-infinitive to express that the degree of a quality is so high that it prevents a certain action from happening. The structure too busy to go through correctly indicates that the Head is busy to such an extent that he cannot find the time to examine the files. While so is typically followed by a that-clause to show consequence, the use of a to-infinitive immediately following the adjective necessitates the use of too.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice of the present continuous tense, which follows the grammatical structure Subject + is/am/are + being + V₃ + by + Object. To convert this into the active voice, the object of the passive sentence (children) becomes the active subject, and the subject (the wall of this park) becomes the active object. The verb structure for the present continuous active voice is Subject + is/am/are + Vᵢₙ_g + Object. Since the subject children is plural, it requires the auxiliary verb are followed by the present participle painting to maintain tense consistency and subject-verb agreement.

Explanation

The word dubious is used to describe something that is hesitating, doubting, or not to be relied upon because it seems suspect or questionable. Similarly, the word fishy is an informal synonym used to characterize a situation, statement, or person that arouses suspicion or doubt. Both terms indicate a lack of certainty or the presence of something potentially dishonest or untrustworthy.

Explanation

The word finite is derived from the Latin term finitus, which means limited or bounded. It is used to describe something that has a fixed limit, a specific end point, or is measurable in terms of size, space, or duration. The word endless refers to something that has no termination, boundary, or limit. It represents a state of being infinite, perpetual, or limitless. Because endless describes a condition that is the direct opposite of having boundaries or restrictions, it is the antonym of finite.

Explanation

The idiom couch potato describes an individual who leads a sedentary lifestyle and spends a significant amount of time sitting or lying on a sofa, primarily engaged in watching television. The term combines the furniture where the person spends their time with the metaphor of a potato, a vegetable that remains stationary in the ground, to highlight a lack of physical activity and a preference for passive, screen-based entertainment. Since its emergence in the late 1970s, it has been commonly used to characterize habitual inactivity and excessive media consumption.

Explanation

The term disparity refers to a significant difference or inequality between two or more things, particularly in a way that is perceived as unfair. In the context of the sentence, the example provided describes a 21 per cent difference in earnings between genders, which is a classic instance of economic inequality. Therefore, disparity is the most linguistically and contextually accurate word to describe the gap in remuneration between men and women.

Explanation

The idiom lead someone by the nose means to have total control over someone or to dominate them, making them do whatever one wishes. This expression originates from the practice of leading draft animals, such as oxen or bulls, using a ring or rope passed through their sensitive noses. Because the animal must follow the direction in which its nose is pulled to avoid pain, the phrase metaphorically describes a situation where one person is completely submissive to the will and commands of another.

Explanation

Question tags follow a standard grammatical rule where a negative statement must be paired with a positive tag to seek confirmation. The main clause You won't tell the secret uses the negative auxiliary won't, which is the contracted form of will not. According to the rules of tag questions, the tag must use the positive form of the same auxiliary verb used in the main clause. By taking the positive auxiliary will and combining it with the subject pronoun you, the grammatically correct question tag will you is formed.

Explanation

The sentence requires a preposition to establish the context of historical events. The preposition in is used to indicate a period of time or a specific set of circumstances in the past. In this context, In the earlier wars functions as a prepositional phrase that sets the temporal and situational stage for the statement regarding civilian populations. It correctly denotes that during the course of previous conflicts, certain conditions applied, distinguishing them from the total war that began in 1914.

Explanation

The adverb generally is the most appropriate choice because it describes a situation that was true in most instances or as a rule. In the context of historical warfare prior to 1914, it was the standard practice and typical occurrence that civilian populations were not directly targeted or involved in the fighting, which was instead conducted between professional standing armies. Using generally indicates this prevailing trend or common condition of earlier conflicts, setting up the contrast with the total war of 1914 where such distinctions disappeared.

Explanation

The context of the sentence describes how earlier wars differed from the total war of 1914 by noting that civilian populations were generally excluded from direct impact. The word confined means restricted or limited to a particular group or area. In this passage, it indicates that in previous conflicts, the casualties were limited only to the soldiers and military personnel involved in the fighting, rather than affecting the general public. This usage aligns with the preposition to that follows the blank, forming the standard phrase confined to.

Explanation

The term contemporaries is derived from the Latin prefix con-, meaning together, and tempus, meaning time. It specifically refers to people who live at the same time or belong to the same historical period. In a broader sense, it can also describe things that are existing, occurring, or living at the same time as others.

Explanation

The sentence uses the coordinating conjunction but to create a contrast between the historical relationship of Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and their collaborative effort to build a monument of Peace. Historically, Northern Ireland experienced a long period of intense sectarian and political struggle known as The Troubles, which involved deep-seated social and political conflict between these two communities. The term conflict accurately describes this history of discord, providing the necessary logical opposition to the cooperative act of building a peace monument mentioned in the latter half of the sentence.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the logical starting point of the sequence as it introduces the primary subject, the Lunar New Year of the Pig, and establishes the specific date of the event. Sentence A follows immediately because the pronoun it refers directly back to the Lunar New Year mentioned in B, while also setting the geographical context of the celebrations in China. The sequence concludes with sentences D and C, which provide specific examples of the festivities. These two sentences are linked by the grammatical pair some and others, where D describes the actions of performers and C describes the traditional practices of other participants seeking good fortune.

Explanation

The given sentence is an imperative sentence where the subject you is implied and the verb take acts upon the object this suitcase. Imperative sentences can be converted into passive voice using the structure Object + should be + Past Participle. In this case, the object this suitcase is moved to the subject position, followed by the auxiliary should be and the past participle form of the verb take, which is taken. This specific construction is used to express a command or a suggestion in a formal passive tone.

Explanation

The word reprimand denotes a formal or sharp expression of disapproval, rebuke, or scolding, typically directed at someone for their actions or behavior. Its meaning is rooted in criticism and censure. In contrast, the word compliment signifies an expression of praise, admiration, or approval. Because a compliment involves honoring or commending someone rather than criticizing them, it functions as the direct antonym to reprimand.

Explanation

The sentence contains a grammatical error in the relative pronoun usage. The relative pronoun which is used to refer to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas, whereas the relative pronoun who is used to refer to people. Since the cobbler is a human being, the correct relative pronoun to introduce the subordinate clause should be who or that. Therefore, the segment which mends is incorrect and should be replaced with who mends to ensure proper subject-antecedent agreement.

Explanation

In English grammar, the preposition since is used to indicate a specific point in time when an action began, such as since 2010 or since Monday. In contrast, the preposition for is used to denote a duration or a length of time. The phrase the past one week represents a period of time rather than a specific starting point. Consequently, for should be used instead of since to maintain grammatical correctness in the present perfect continuous tense.

Explanation

A fatalist is a person who subscribes to the philosophical belief of fatalism, which holds that all events are predetermined by an external force or fate and are therefore unavoidable. This mindset implies that human beings have no power to influence or alter the course of history or the outcome of their own lives, as everything is destined to occur exactly as it does. The core of this belief is the acceptance of the inevitability of the future, regardless of human effort or will.

Explanation

The sentence establishes a contrast between the vast geographical size of Canada and its relatively small population. While Canada is significantly larger than India in terms of land area, its population is disproportionately low. The conjunction but is used to connect two statements when the second one presents a contrast or an unexpected fact in relation to the first.

Explanation

Population density is the standard demographic term used to measure the number of people living in a specific unit of area, such as a square kilometer. Since the passage specifically mentions the metric of less than three persons per square kilometer, it is referring to the concentration of people over the land mass of Canada. Density is calculated by dividing the total population by the total land area, which fits the mathematical context provided in the sentence.

Explanation

The preposition in is used to indicate a position within a large geographical area, such as a country, continent, or region. Since the sentence refers to the population density within the territorial boundaries of Canada, in is the grammatically correct choice to specify that the measurement applies to the entirety of the nation's landmass.

Explanation

In the context of demographics and geography, the term uneven is used to describe a population distribution that is not uniform or equal across a territory. The passage supports this by highlighting a stark contrast between the high concentration of people (80 percent) living in a narrow southern belt and the extremely sparse population throughout the rest of the country due to climatic conditions.

Explanation

The passage describes the demographic distribution and residence of the Canadian population. The verb live is the standard and most appropriate term used to indicate that people reside or inhabit a specific geographical area. In the context of population statistics and general habitation, it correctly denotes that the majority of the people make their homes within the southern border belt.

Explanation

In a complex sentence where the main clause refers to a future action, the subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction of time such as when, as soon as, before, or after must be expressed in the simple present tense. The use of the future auxiliary will in the segment when we will is grammatically incorrect because time clauses do not take the future tense to refer to future events. The auxiliary will must be removed so that the verb reach functions in the simple present tense to correctly establish the temporal relationship between reaching the top and resting.

Explanation

In the context of competitions, contests, or elections, the verb declared is the standard term used to denote an official announcement of a result or a winner. When judges or organizers conclude a competition, they formally state who has won, making declared the most appropriate and grammatically sound choice to fill the blank. It signifies that Kavya was officially recognized and announced as the winner of the painting competition for her specific age group.

Explanation

The idiom butterflies in the stomach refers to a physical sensation of fluttering or slight quivering in the abdomen. This feeling is a common physiological response to stress, anxiety, or anticipation. It occurs when the body's fight-or-flight response triggers the release of adrenaline, which redirects blood flow away from the digestive system and toward the muscles. Consequently, the phrase is used to describe the state of being nervous or apprehensive before a significant event, such as a public performance, an exam, or an important meeting.

Explanation

In English grammar, a question tag must match the tense, auxiliary verb, and subject of the main statement. When the main clause is negative, the question tag must be positive. In the sentence "They didn't see you," the auxiliary verb is "did" (used in the negative "didn't") and the subject is "they." To form the correct tag, the negative auxiliary is converted to its positive form "did" and followed by the subject pronoun "they," resulting in the construction "did they?"

Explanation

The idiom out of the woods refers to a situation where a person is no longer in danger or facing the most critical part of a difficulty. It draws on the literal imagery of being lost or trapped in a dense forest, where one is at risk of being lost or encountering hazards; emerging from the trees into an open clearing represents reaching safety and clarity. In contemporary usage, it is frequently applied to medical contexts, where a patient has survived the most life-threatening phase of an illness, or to financial and legal situations, indicating that the primary threat or the worst of the trouble has been successfully navigated.

Explanation

An arbitrator is a neutral third party chosen by mutual agreement of the parties involved in a conflict to hear their respective cases and deliver a decision to resolve the dispute. This process, known as arbitration, serves as a private and often faster alternative to traditional court litigation, where the arbitrator acts as an impartial judge to settle the disagreement based on the evidence provided.

Explanation

The word drag means to pull something along with effort or difficulty, typically along the ground. It involves exerting a continuous force on an object to move it in the direction of the force being applied. Therefore, pull is its most accurate synonym as it similarly describes the action of using force to move an object towards the source of the effort.

Explanation

The grammatical error in the segment that is affecting lies in the lack of subject-verb agreement within the relative clause. The relative pronoun that refers back to the antecedent many non-native species. Since the quantifier many indicates that the noun species is being used in its plural form, the verb following the relative pronoun must also be plural. Consequently, the singular auxiliary verb is must be replaced with the plural form are to correctly agree with the plural antecedent.

Explanation

The logical arrangement of the sentences follows a hierarchical flow from a general introduction to specific details. Sentence D introduces the subject by its full name, the United States of America, and establishes its global ranking in terms of area. Sentence B follows by defining the geographical span of this landmass, stretching between two oceans. Sentence C provides further detail about the political and administrative composition of the territory mentioned, noting the fifty states and specific regions like Alaska and Hawaii. Finally, sentence A concludes the sequence by describing the socioeconomic standing of the nation as a highly developed country. This order ensures that the subject is first identified before being described by its physical extent, internal structure, and global status.

Explanation

Sentence A sets the context by introducing a specific incident involving a cruise ship off the coast of Norway where a holiday turned into a dangerous experience for 1,300 passengers. Sentence C follows by providing the immediate cause of the danger, explaining that the ship broke down and was rocked by rough seas and high-speed winds. This crisis leads logically to sentence B, which describes the emergency response of the Norwegian Government deciding to evacuate the passengers via helicopters. Finally, sentence D offers the specific outcome of the evacuation efforts, reporting that 371 passengers were moved and 17 required hospitalization.

Explanation

The word engulf means to sweep over or surround something so as to cover it completely. It is frequently used to describe natural forces, such as water or fire, consuming an area or object. Similarly, envelop means to wrap up, cover, or surround something entirely. Both words convey the central idea of being totally enclosed or overwhelmed by a surrounding medium, making them direct synonyms in the context of covering or surrounding an object from all sides.

Explanation

The word comic relates to comedy or things that are humorous and lighthearted, often resulting in a happy resolution. In literary and linguistic terms, its direct antonym is tragic, which describes events or works that are extremely sad, serious, and involve significant suffering or misfortune. While comic elements evoke laughter and amusement, tragic elements evoke sorrow and pity, making them polar opposites in tone and outcome.

Explanation

The original sentence is an imperative sentence, which expresses a command or an instruction. To convert an imperative sentence into the passive voice, the standard grammatical structure used is Let + Object + be + Past Participle (V3). In the active sentence, show is the base form of the verb, these visitors is the indirect object, and the butterfly farm is the direct object. Applying the formula, the passive construction begins with Let, followed by the object these visitors, the auxiliary verb be, and finally the past participle form of the verb show, which is shown. This structure correctly maintains the instructional tone while shifting the focus from the implied subject to the objects of the action.

Explanation

The word gather means to bring together, collect, or assemble people or things into one group or place. Its direct antonym is disperse, which means to distribute, scatter, or spread over a wide area, effectively moving things away from each other rather than bringing them together.

Explanation

The word dedicated is the standard English term used to describe a monument, building, or public work that has been officially opened and set apart to honor a specific person, group, or cause. In the context of the National War Memorial, it signifies that the structure was formally consecrated to serve as a permanent tribute to the service and sacrifice of the military personnel. This specific verb is the most appropriate collocation for public commemorations of national importance.

Explanation

The construction such + a/an + adjective + singular countable noun is the standard grammatical structure used to emphasize the degree or quality of a noun. In this context, blizzard is a singular countable noun preceded by the adjective strong. Therefore, the phrase such a strong blizzard correctly follows the rules of English syntax to provide emphasis on the intensity of the storm. This structure is preferred when using such to modify a noun phrase consisting of an adjective and a singular noun.