SSC CGL Tier 1 2020 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The term flamboyant describes a person whose behavior or appearance is highly confident, exuberant, and stylish, specifically in a way that is intended to attract a great deal of attention. It characterizes individuals who choose bold, vivid, or elaborate styles to stand out and make a striking visual or social impression. Derived from the French word flamboyer, meaning to flame, the word captures the essence of someone who possesses a bright, theatrical, and conspicuous personality that naturally draws the gaze of others.

Explanation

The word catalogue is the correctly spelt term in the list, representing a systematic list of items such as books in a library or goods for sale. It follows the standard British English spelling convention, which retains the -ue suffix derived from the French word catalogue and the Greek root katalogos. This spelling is universally accepted and remains the formal standard in international English.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement by establishing the general context of technology's rapid growth and its role in improving communication skills. Sentence A follows logically because the pronoun it refers back to the technology mentioned in B, explaining its specific utility in developing oral and aural skills as a classroom supplement. Sentence D introduces a qualification using the transition word however, noting that technology is not a substitute for traditional teaching methods. Finally, sentence C concludes the logical progression with the transition word thus, defining the teacher's responsibility to ensure that students focus on language mastery rather than the technology itself.

Explanation

This sentence follows the structure of the first conditional, which is used to express a possible condition and its likely result in the future. In a first conditional sentence, the if-clause uses the simple present tense (doesn't score), while the main clause uses the simple future tense (will not be). This structure indicates that the outcome of being promoted depends on the fulfillment of the specific condition of scoring forty percent.

Explanation

The word liable means to be legally responsible or obligated to pay for something. In the context of financial obligations like debts, an individual is held liable for the repayment of the amount they have incurred. The preposition for naturally follows liable when indicating the specific responsibility or debt one must address.

Explanation

The noun threat is a singular countable noun that begins with a consonant sound. In English grammar, the indefinite article a is used before such nouns when they are being used in a general or non-specific sense. The sentence establishes a parallel structure between a global problem and a threat, describing the nature of environmental pollution. Since threat starts with the consonant sound /θ/, the article a is the grammatically correct choice to precede it.

Explanation

The sentence identifies a variety of distinct factors contributing to environmental pollution, including water contamination, deforestation, and toxic gas emissions. The adjective numerous is the most suitable choice here because it specifically refers to a large number of individual items or causes. When preceded by the intensifier quite, it effectively emphasizes the extensive and diverse nature of the pollution sources mentioned in the examples that follow.

Explanation

The noun factors is a plural noun, which necessitates a plural demonstrative adjective. In the context of the passage, the word factors refers back to the specific causes mentioned in the previous sentence, namely the contamination of water, cutting of trees, and emission of toxic gases. The demonstrative adjective these is used to point to plural items that have just been mentioned or are closely related to the current topic of discussion. Therefore, these correctly links the adverse effects on flora and fauna to the specific environmental pollutants and actions listed earlier in the text.

Explanation

The passage emphasizes that protecting the environment is a noble campaign and a collective responsibility for human survival. The term moral duty refers to an obligation that arises from an individual's conscience or a sense of ethical right and wrong. In the context of contributing to a noble cause for the benefit of all living beings, it is the most appropriate word to describe the inherent ethical responsibility every person has toward nature and society.

Explanation

The word measures refers to specific actions, steps, or legislative procedures taken by an authority or government to achieve a particular result or to address a specific problem. In formal English, the phrase taking strong measures is a standard collocation used to describe the implementation of official policies and regulations designed to control or combat a threat. Within the context of the passage, it signifies the proactive and enforcement-oriented steps the government is implementing to curb the spread and impact of environmental pollution.

Explanation

The term prophet refers to an individual who is regarded as being in contact with a divine being and is believed to serve as an intermediary between humanity and the deity. In religious contexts, a prophet is seen as a messenger of God who delivers revelations, divine instructions, or sacred truths to the people. The word originates from the Greek term prophetes, which signifies one who speaks for another or interprets the will of a higher power, accurately describing a person who preaches religion under the belief of divine appointment.

Explanation

Stringent refers to regulations, requirements, or conditions that are extremely strict, precise, and exacting, allowing for no deviation or flexibility. The word lenient serves as its antonym because it describes a disposition or approach that is tolerant, permissive, or merciful, characterized by a lack of severity or strictness in enforcement. While a stringent rule is rigid and demanding, a lenient approach is relaxed and forgiving.

Explanation

The active sentence is in the Present Simple tense, as indicated by the auxiliary verb do and the base form spend. To convert an interrogative sentence in the present simple tense into passive voice, the structure used is: Wh-word + am/is/are + object + past participle (V3) + by + subject.

In this specific sentence, so much money acts as the object. Since money is an uncountable noun, it requires the singular auxiliary verb is. The past participle of the verb spend is spent. Following the standard passive transformation, the subject you moves to the end of the sentence preceded by the preposition by. This results in the construction: Why is so much money spent by you?

Explanation

The idiom like a dying duck in a thunderstorm is used to describe someone who looks extremely miserable, hopeless, or dejected. The imagery depicts a creature in a state of distress being further overwhelmed by a powerful storm, conveying a sense of total helplessness and despair. It typically refers to a person's facial expression or general appearance when they are feeling deeply unhappy or defeated by their circumstances.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the indefinite article a before the word such. In the construction such + a/an + adjective + noun, the article follows such rather than preceding it. The phrase in a such a is redundant and grammatically incorrect. To make the sentence correct, the article a in segment c should be removed, resulting in the structure She behaves in such a cordial manner. This allows the correlative conjunction such... that to function properly, connecting the degree of her behavior to the consequence of being admired by everyone.

Explanation

A repercussion refers to the consequence, effect, or result of an action or event, often occurring as an unintended or indirect back-effect. It signifies a counter-impact or a development triggered by a specific cause. The word reaction serves as the most appropriate synonym because it denotes an action or feeling that occurs in direct response to a situation or event, capturing the essential causal relationship and the resulting impact inherent in the meaning of repercussion.

Explanation

Sovereignty is correctly spelled as s-o-v-e-r-e-i-g-n-t-y. The word is derived from the Old French term soverainete and refers to the supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself or another state. A useful way to remember the correct spelling is to identify the word reign within it, which maintains the e before i sequence associated with terms of rule and governance.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical narrative starting with sentence C, which establishes the primary event of a soldier dying on the battlefield. Sentence B naturally follows as the immediate administrative response, where the district collector announces a gallantry award and financial aid. Sentence D provides specific details regarding the execution of this announcement, explaining that the money was disbursed from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Finally, sentence A concludes the passage by describing the combined impact of the honor and the financial relief on the deceased soldier's family.

Explanation

The word juvenile is derived from the Latin term juvenilis, meaning young or youthful. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are not yet adults or behaviors that are characteristic of youth. In a metaphorical or descriptive sense, it refers to actions that lack maturity or are suitable only for children. Therefore, childish serves as a direct synonym because it specifically denotes behavior that is immature or typical of a child.

Explanation

The verb differ takes the preposition with when expressing a disagreement or a difference of opinion between individuals. In this sentence, the employees are in disagreement regarding a specific issue, which is the medical and pension policy, necessitating the use of differ with their boss. The preposition from is used when comparing two or more things to highlight differences in their characteristics, appearance, or nature. Since the context involves a clash of views rather than a physical or qualitative comparison, the use of from is grammatically incorrect in this segment.

Explanation

The sentence uses the correlative conjunction structure No sooner... than to indicate that one event happened immediately after another. When a sentence begins with No sooner, the rule of inversion must be applied, which requires an auxiliary verb to be placed before the subject. Since the subsequent clause than the bomb exploded is in the simple past tense, the first part of the sentence must also use a past tense auxiliary. The construction No sooner did followed by the subject and the base form of the verb step correctly fulfills the requirement for inversion and maintains tense consistency across the sentence.

Explanation

The idiom to paddle one's own canoe signifies being self-reliant and independent. It describes a person who manages their own affairs and makes their own way in life without needing help or support from others. The expression draws on the literal image of a person in a canoe who must provide all the effort and steering themselves to navigate the water effectively.

Explanation

The word unruly describes behavior that is disorderly, disruptive, or difficult to control. In a classroom setting, such behavior typically causes a teacher to feel annoyance or frustration. The verb irritated means to provoke impatience, anger, or annoyance in someone. Contextually, it is the only word that logically describes the negative impact of disruptive student conduct on a teacher.

Explanation

Sacred refers to something that is dedicated to a religious purpose and deserving of veneration, or something regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with. The word holy is a direct synonym because it characterizes something that is dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose, or is spiritually pure and deserving of deep respect. Both terms describe the quality of being set apart from ordinary use due to divine or spiritual significance.

Explanation

The word native refers to someone or something that is indigenous, original, or belonging naturally to a particular place or country by birth or origin. It signifies being local or inherent to a specific region. The term foreign serves as its direct antonym because it describes someone or something that comes from a different country, a distant place, or is outside one's own territory or jurisdiction. In terms of origin and identity, foreign represents the external or alien counterpart to the internal or domestic nature of native.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Simple Past tense, identified by the verb sang. To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the Simple Past, the formula used is: Object + was/were + V3 (Past Participle) + by + Subject. The object the National Anthem is singular, so it takes the auxiliary verb was followed by the past participle sung. The prepositional phrase with great enthusiasm is retained to describe the manner of the action, resulting in the correct passive construction.

Explanation

The word across is misspelled as it should contain only a single c. In English, across functions as a preposition or adverb meaning from one side to the other or on the opposite side. It is formed by the prefix a- and the root word cross, and this construction does not require the doubling of the consonant c. Thus, the correct spelling is across.

Explanation

In sports and competitive games, a draw refers to a situation where a match or contest concludes with neither side emerging as the winner. This result occurs when the final scores are exactly equal or when the game reaches a state where neither player can achieve victory, such as a stalemate in chess or a level score at the end of regulation time in football.

Explanation

The phrasal verb look down upon means to regard someone or something with a feeling of superiority or disdain. It is used to describe an attitude where one considers another person to be of lower status, less importance, or unworthy of respect. This idiom reflects a judgmental perspective where the subject perceives themselves as being better than the individual they are looking down upon, effectively treating them as inferior.

Explanation

In the context of the sentence, the word opportunity refers to a favorable set of circumstances or a chance that makes it possible for manufacturing companies to achieve a specific goal. Advertising acts as a platform or a means through which these companies can reach potential customers, demonstrate the value of their products, and gain a competitive edge in the market. By providing this favorable situation, advertising allows businesses to actively pursue and realize increased sales and market presence.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, advertising is defined as the promotion of goods and services. Manufacturing companies engage in this activity to market the tangible items they manufacture. The word products serves as a direct reference to these goods that companies seek to sell in a competitive market. Since the sentence discusses the objective of selling items better than competitors, products is the most semantically appropriate term to describe the output of a manufacturing firm intended for sale.

Explanation

The phrasal verb switch on means to start the flow of electricity or to activate an electronic device. In the context of the sentence, the act of starting the television is what allows the viewer to see the advertisements and products being promoted. This preposition correctly completes the expression to indicate that the device is being turned to its operational state.

Explanation

The sentence uses the verb find followed by an object and a participle to describe an observed action or state. In the phrase find some product or the other being pushed towards us, the word being functions as a present participle that, when combined with the past participle pushed, forms a passive continuous structure. This construction indicates that the action of pushing the products is actively and continuously occurring at the moment the viewer is watching television. Using the passive participle being pushed correctly characterizes the ongoing process of advertising as it affects the consumer.

Explanation

The blank requires a noun that represents the underlying driver or psychological force used in advertising to achieve a specific goal. In the field of marketing and communication, the emotion behind an advertisement refers to the sentimental or psychological appeal designed to resonate with the audience. By leveraging these feelings, commercial advertising creates a connection with the consumer, which serves the ultimate objective of increasing product sales and generating higher profits for the company.

Explanation

In English grammar, when two nouns joined by and refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular. This is indicated by the presence of a single article The before the first noun author and its absence before the second noun actor. Since The famous author and actor refers to one individual performing both roles, the subject is singular. Consequently, the plural verb are must be replaced with the singular verb is to maintain subject-verb agreement. Therefore, the segment are being honoured contains the grammatical error.

Explanation

The idiom keep abreast of means to stay informed about the latest news, developments, or information regarding a particular subject. It originates from nautical terminology where abreast refers to being side-by-side or level with another vessel. In a figurative sense, staying abreast of a topic ensures that a person remains level with current progress and does not fall behind in their knowledge or understanding of ongoing events. This allows an individual to maintain a state of being constantly updated and aware of any changes in a specific field or situation.

Explanation

The logical sequence begins with sentence B, which introduces the protagonist Ramesh and his general anxiety about aging and illness. Sentence D follows by specifying a particular aspect of his fear—losing his eyesight—which builds directly on the theme of physical decline mentioned in B. Sentence C then describes Ramesh's attempt to simulate this condition by walking with his eyes closed to see how he would cope. The sequence concludes with sentence A, where the phrase "While he was doing this" serves as a cohesive link to the action in C, explaining the immediate negative consequence of his experiment.

Explanation

The word repulsive is used to describe something that causes intense distaste, disgust, or aversion, effectively driving others away. Its primary meaning centers on being extremely unpleasant or off-putting in appearance or character. The word attractive serves as its direct antonym because it describes something that possesses qualities which pull, draw, or entice interest and pleasure. While repulsive signifies a quality that repels, attractive signifies a quality that invites and appeals to the senses or mind.

Explanation

Benevolence refers to the quality of being well-meaning, kind, and generous. In a professional setting, a leader who exhibits kindness and concern for the welfare of their subordinates is naturally well-liked and appreciated. The sentence describes a positive emotional response from employees, which is logically triggered by the compassionate and charitable nature of their employer.

Explanation

In English grammar, the verb marry is a transitive verb when used in the active voice. Transitive verbs transition their action directly onto an object without the requirement of a preposition. Consequently, using the preposition with after married is grammatically incorrect in this context. The sentence should properly read as He married a rich heiress last year. While the preposition to is often used in passive constructions, such as she was married to him, the active voice form requires the direct object immediately after the verb.

Explanation

The word weary refers to a state of being physically or mentally fatigued, often due to prolonged exertion, hard work, or lack of sleep. Exhausted is its most appropriate synonym because it specifically describes the condition of being completely drained of energy or strength. Both terms convey the sense of extreme tiredness where an individual feels the need for rest or sleep.

Explanation

The word insatiable is formed by combining the prefix in-, meaning not, with the root satiare, meaning to fill or satisfy. It is used to describe a desire, craving, or appetite that is impossible to satisfy or appease. This adjective typically refers to abstract qualities such as greed, curiosity, or hunger for power that can never be fully met regardless of the amount of fulfillment provided.

Explanation

The logical arrangement of the paragraph follows a general-to-specific thematic flow. Sentence D serves as the topic sentence, introducing the broad concept of whales possessing highly developed maternal instincts. Sentence A immediately provides a specific illustration of this instinct by describing the critical moment a calf is born underwater and the mother's role in its survival. Sentence C continues the narrative of the birth process mentioned in A, detailing how other whales assist the mother in guiding the newborn to the surface. Sentence B concludes the sequence by transitioning from the immediate care at birth to the long-term nature of the parent-offspring bond, noting that young whales remain with their parents for over fifteen years.

Explanation

The correct spelling is Guarantee. The word is spelled G-U-A-R-A-N-T-E-E. It follows the G-U-A vowel sequence, similar to words like guard and guardian. While "guaranty" is sometimes used as a technical legal term for a noun, "guarantee" is the standard spelling for both the noun and the verb in general English and is the expected form in competitive examinations.

Explanation

The word assurance refers to a positive declaration or a formal promise intended to give confidence to others. In a legal or administrative context, when a person in authority like a minister commits to taking specific steps, such as punishing culprits, they provide an assurance to the public or the aggrieved parties. This term best fits the formal tone of the statement regarding a commitment to future action.

Explanation

In English grammar, when a continuous action in the past is interrupted by a sudden or shorter event, the past continuous tense (was watching) is used for the ongoing activity, while the simple past tense (went off) is used for the interrupting action. The use of the conjunction when typically introduces the specific point in time or the sudden event that occurred during the progress of the first action. Since the lights failing is a momentary occurrence that interrupted the movie watching, the simple past form went off is the grammatically appropriate choice.

Explanation

The sentence follows the standard grammatical rule for correlative conjunctions where Scarcely or Hardly is paired with when to indicate two actions happening in quick succession. When a sentence starts with Scarcely, inversion is required, placing the auxiliary verb had before the subject the passengers. The tense structure is also accurate, employing the Past Perfect tense for the first action and the Simple Past tense for the action that follows immediately after. Since the original segment correctly uses when to connect the clauses and maintains the proper tense sequence, it is grammatically correct.

Explanation

In the conversion of direct speech to indirect speech for an interrogative sentence starting with a modal verb like can, the reporting verb said to is changed to asked. The conjunction if or whether is used to connect the reporting clause with the reported speech. According to the rules of tense backshifting, can is transformed into could. Pronouns are adjusted to match the third-person perspective: you refers to the passerby and becomes he, while me and my refer to the traveller and become him and his, respectively. To reflect the polite nature of the word please in the original sentence, the adverb kindly is added. The sentence structure also shifts from an interrogative word order to an assertive word order.

Explanation

The idiom come to the point means to address the main subject or the most important part of a discussion directly, without wasting time on irrelevant details or introductory talk. It involves being straightforward and concise so that the core matter is communicated clearly and effectively.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a chronological and thematic progression. Sentence B establishes the context by describing the time and setting, which is a fine spring morning. Sentence A follows naturally as the narrator experiences this morning air by taking a deep breath. Sentence D uses the quality of the air mentioned in the previous sentence, its freshness, to explain why the narrator was drawn toward a garden. Sentence C completes the narrative arc by describing the narrator's entry into the garden and the immediate observation of the grass.