SSC CGL Tier 1 2020 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The sentence requires a finite verb to complete its grammatical structure. The word died is the past tense form of the verb die, which serves as the main verb describing the action that nearly occurred. In English grammar, the standard idiomatic expression for indicating the cause of death or an intense physical or emotional reaction is to use the preposition of following the verb die. Therefore, died of fright is the grammatically correct phrase to describe a situation where someone experiences extreme terror.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical progression from a general premise to a specific effect, followed by a transition to a practical dilemma and its possible resolutions. Sentence D introduces the central theme by stating a broad consensus among researchers regarding the negative health impacts of anger. Sentence A follows D by using the pronoun It to refer back to anger and elaborating on a specific physiological consequence, namely the inflation of blood pressure and its effect on the heart. Sentence C acts as a transition, shifting the focus from the problem to the solution by posing a question about how to handle this emotion. Finally, sentence B provides the answer to the question raised in C by presenting the two common yet contrasting ways people deal with anger, which are expressing it or suppressing it.

Explanation

When converting a negative imperative sentence into indirect speech, the reporting verb said to can be changed to forbade. The verb forbid inherently carries a negative meaning, which eliminates the need for the word not in the reported clause. The structure follows the pattern: Subject + forbade + object + to-infinitive. In this sentence, the guard is issuing a prohibition against taking photographs, so using forbade followed by the infinitive to take correctly conveys the original meaning while adhering to the rules of narration.

Explanation

The word assist means to help, aid, or facilitate the progress of an action or person. In contrast, obstruct means to block, hinder, or impede something or someone by getting in the way. Because assist involves making a process easier and obstruct involves making it more difficult or impossible, the two words function as direct antonyms in terms of their impact on the progress of a task or movement.

Explanation

The sentence establishes a contrast between an individual's independent decision-making and following the advice or counsel of others. The word choice refers to the act or power of selecting from a set of possibilities based on personal preference and judgment. In this context, to go by one's own choice is a natural idiomatic expression that emphasizes personal agency. This selection is further reinforced by the thematic consistency of the passage, as the following sentence explicitly mentions the choice of a subject of study.

Explanation

The noun choice is frequently followed by the preposition of to specify the person or thing that is selected from a range of possibilities. In the context of the sentence, choice of one's subject of study denotes the specific academic discipline an individual decides to pursue. This idiomatic construction identifies the object of the selection process, making of the grammatically appropriate preposition to link the noun choice with the noun phrase representing the item being chosen.

Explanation

The conjunction unless is used to introduce a conditional clause that means if not or except on the condition that. In this context, the sentence establishes a condition for choosing a subject of study. The logic dictates that choosing a subject should only happen if genuine interest exists; otherwise, the choice should be avoided. By using unless, the sentence conveys that if a person is not genuinely interested in a subject, they should never opt for it. This aligns with the subsequent sentence regarding individuals being unfit for their roles when they are in positions that do not suit them.

Explanation

The modal verb should is used to express advice, recommendation, or a sense of duty. In this context, the author is providing guidance on making personal life choices, specifically regarding one's field of study. By stating that one should never opt for a subject without genuine interest, the sentence establishes a prescriptive rule to prevent individuals from becoming ill-suited for their professional roles. The use of should maintains the consistency of the instructional tone introduced in the first sentence of the passage.

Explanation

The passage employs the well-known English idiom a square peg in a round hole. This metaphorical expression refers to a person who is unsuited for the position, role, or situation they occupy. In the context of the text, it describes individuals who choose subjects of study or career paths for which they have no genuine interest or aptitude, resulting in a lack of professional fitness. The imagery of a square peg failing to fit into a circular opening emphasizes the mismatch between the person's inherent nature and their external responsibilities.

Explanation

Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering, typically in cases of terminal illness or incurable conditions. The term is derived from the Greek words eu, meaning well or good, and thanatos, meaning death, which literally translates to a good death. It is often referred to as mercy killing because it involves a painless procedure intended to provide a quick and compassionate end for individuals or animals experiencing extreme and irreversible physical distress.

Explanation

The word Persuit is misspelled. The correct spelling is pursuit, which refers to the action of following or pursuing someone or something, or an activity that one spends time doing. The error lies in the use of the letter e instead of u following the initial p. The word is derived from the Middle English pursute, which trace back to the Anglo-French pursuer.

Explanation

The word luxuriant is an adjective specifically used to describe vegetation or plant life that grows thickly, strongly, and in great abundance. Tropical countries possess the ideal climatic conditions, such as consistent warmth and high rainfall, which promote the dense and lush development of flora. In this context, the term accurately characterizes the profuse and vigorous nature of the growth of flowers in those regions.

Explanation

The phrase but returned back contains a redundancy error. In English grammar, the verb return is defined as to come back or go back to a previous place or state. Because the concept of moving back is already inherent in the definition of return, the addition of the word back is superfluous and repetitive. To correct the sentence, the word back should be omitted so that it reads but returned immediately.

Explanation

A nursery is a specialized commercial establishment where plants are propagated and grown to a desired age for the purpose of being sold to individual gardeners, landscapers, or commercial retailers. These facilities focus on the cultivation of seedlings, saplings, and various ornamental or fruit-bearing plants under controlled conditions to ensure they are healthy and hardy enough for transplantation. The defining characteristic of a nursery is its function as a primary source for the production and commercial distribution of botanical stock.

Explanation

The preposition on followed by the gerund failing is used to indicate the occasion or the immediate cause of an emotional reaction. In this sentence, it signifies that the subject experienced disappointment upon the occurrence of the failure. This construction establishes a clear temporal and causal link between the event and the subject's state of mind, effectively showing that the disappointment was triggered by the act of failing again.

Explanation

The word industrious describes a person who is consistently hardworking, active, and devoted to a task. Its direct antonym is lethargic, which refers to a state of sluggishness, inactivity, or a lack of energy and enthusiasm. While industriousness implies a high level of effort and productivity, lethargy represents a deficiency of drive and physical or mental vigor, providing the most suitable contrast in meaning.

Explanation

The active sentence is in the Simple Past tense, as indicated by the verb incurred. To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the Simple Past tense, the construction used is Subject + was/were + past participle (V3) + by + Agent. In this sentence, the object heavy losses becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Since heavy losses is a plural noun, it must be followed by the plural auxiliary verb were rather than was. The past participle form of the verb incur is incurred. Following this grammatical structure, the sentence correctly becomes heavy losses were incurred in business by him.

Explanation

The word affluent is used to describe an individual, group, or area that possesses a great deal of money or wealth. it denotes a state of being rich and having an abundance of material possessions or resources. Similarly, the term prosperous refers to being successful in material terms and flourishing financially. Since both words convey the idea of having high status and wealth, they are synonyms.

Explanation

The word accurate refers to something that is correct in all details, exact, and free from error. It denotes a high degree of conformity to truth or a specific standard. Precise is the most appropriate synonym because it also describes something that is marked by exactness, accuracy of expression, and minute attention to detail. In linguistic and technical contexts, both terms are used to signify that a measurement, statement, or calculation is strictly defined and free from vagueness or deviation.

Explanation

The segment what I buy is grammatically incorrect for two reasons. First, the relative pronoun what is used incorrectly because it follows a specific antecedent, The present. In English grammar, what functions as a fused relative pronoun meaning the thing that and does not take an antecedent; therefore, that or which is required to link the noun to the relative clause. Second, the sentence includes the time adverb yesterday, which signifies a completed action in the past. This necessitates the use of the simple past tense verb bought rather than the simple present tense buy. To be grammatically accurate, the phrase should be that I bought.

Explanation

The word numerous is an adjective used to describe a great many or a large number of countable things. In this sentence, errors is a plural countable noun, and numerous appropriately modifies it to indicate that the assignment contains many mistakes.

Explanation

Malice is defined as the desire to cause harm, injury, or distress to another person, characterized by ill will, spite, or malevolence. It involves a conscious intent to do evil or act out of animosity. Goodwill represents the exact opposite sentiment, referring to a friendly, helpful, or cooperative feeling or attitude toward others. It signifies benevolence, kindness, and a sincere interest in the welfare of others. Because malice focuses on hostile intent and goodwill focuses on benevolent intent, they function as direct antonyms in the English language.

Explanation

The word foul denotes something that is offensive to the senses, such as being dirty, smelly, or polluted, and also refers to conduct that is unfair or contrary to the rules in a competition. In contrast, fair represents something that is clean, pleasing, and follows the principles of justice, equity, and rule-based behavior. These two terms serve as direct opposites in contexts ranging from weather conditions and physical cleanliness to the sportsmanship and legality of actions.

Explanation

The word fourty is incorrectly spelt because the standard English spelling for the number 40 is forty. Although the number 4 is spelled four and the number 14 is spelled fourteen, the letter u is dropped when writing the word for the multiple of ten. This makes forty one of the most common spelling exceptions in the English language regarding numerical roots.

Explanation

The idiom cut and dried refers to something that is settled, prearranged, or decided in advance in a way that allows for no further change or discussion. It conveys that a matter is already finalized and follows a fixed, predictable pattern. The phrase originated from the practice of selling herbs or timber that had already been cut and dried for commercial use, meaning they were ready for sale and required no further preparation, unlike fresh plants. Consequently, in a metaphorical sense, it describes situations or decisions that are clear-cut and require no additional thought or debate.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Present Continuous tense, which follows the structure Subject + is/am/are + present participle (verb-ing). To convert this into the passive voice, the structure used is New Subject + is/am/are + being + past participle (V3). In this transformation, the object children becomes the new subject. Because children is a plural noun, it requires the plural auxiliary verb are. The word being is added to preserve the continuous aspect of the action, and the main verb teaching is converted to its past participle form, taught. Following this formula, the sentence becomes Children are being taught French by her.

Explanation

In English grammar, the determiner any is typically used in negative sentences and questions, whereas some is used in affirmative statements. Because the sentence uses the negative construction I do not see, the word any is required to indicate the total absence of justification. Furthermore, the phrase reason why is a standard idiomatic expression used to introduce a subordinate clause that explains a cause or motive, making any reason why the grammatically correct and most natural substitution for the negative context.

Explanation

The verb placed is the most appropriate choice to describe the physical act of putting the smaller dolls into the larger ones. In the context of the Matryoshka doll, the design relies on the intentional positioning of each doll inside the next larger one to create a nested set. The term accurately conveys the action of setting an object into a specific location or container, which fits the structural arrangement of these wooden dolls perfectly.

Explanation

The sentence refers to a specific historical event that occurred at a definite point in time in the past, indicated by the phrase in 1890. When an action is completed in the past and the specific time is mentioned, the simple past tense is used. Furthermore, because the subject the first such set is the receiver of the action rather than the doer, the passive voice construction was made is required. The structure for the simple past passive is was/were + past participle. Since the subject is singular, was made correctly completes the sentence.

Explanation

The word "either" is used to indicate a choice between two possibilities, which in this context refers to the figures being male or female. The other options are grammatically or contextually incorrect for describing the gender of representational dolls.

Explanation

The indefinite article a is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. In the phrase a single piece of wood, the word single starts with the consonant sound /s/. The use of this article here correctly identifies an individual, non-specific unit, emphasizing that the smallest doll is carved from one solitary block of wood. This construction follows the standard English grammatical rule for using indefinite articles with countable singular nouns preceded by adjectives starting with consonants.

Explanation

Thrive means to grow or develop well or vigorously, to prosper, or to be fortunate and successful. Flourish is its most appropriate synonym because it specifically describes the action of growing or developing in a healthy or vigorous way, particularly as the result of a favorable environment. Both words convey a sense of robust progress and prosperity in various contexts, whether referring to biological growth, economic success, or personal well-being.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement by identifying the subject, noodles, and their global significance. Sentence A follows logically by elaborating on the physical forms of noodles, transitioning from the general category to specific varieties. Sentence D maintains coherence by linking the different varieties mentioned in A to a common cooking method using the word varieties as a bridge. Finally, sentence C uses the adverb then to indicate the subsequent step in the preparation process, which is serving the noodles after they have been boiled. This creates a logical flow from introduction to description, cooking, and final presentation.

Explanation

When the reporting verb of a sentence is in the present tense or present perfect tense, such as has said, the tense of the verb in the reported speech remains unchanged in the indirect form. In this sentence, since the reporting verb has said is in the present perfect tense, the auxiliary verb will in the direct speech does not change to would. The conjunction that is used to connect the reporting verb with the reported clause, and the rest of the sentence remains the same, resulting in the construction: The Principal has said that Mr. Surinder will coach the football team.

Explanation

Appreciate is the specific term used to describe an increase in the price or value of an asset, currency, or commodity over a period of time. This growth in worth often occurs due to factors such as increased demand, limited supply, or improvements in the quality or utility of the item. It is the standard vocabulary used in finance and economics to denote that something has become more valuable than its original cost or previous valuation.

Explanation

The word Corresspond is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Correspond, which consists of the prefix cor- followed by respond. In English orthography, the word features a double r but only a single s. It originates from the Middle French word correspondre or the Medieval Latin correspondere. It is used to describe the act of communicating through letters or to indicate that two things are in agreement or similarity.

Explanation

The word assault is defined as a sudden and violent physical act or an offensive against someone or something. It involves the use of force or the threat of force to cause harm. The word attack similarly describes the act of taking aggressive action against a person, group, or location using physical force. Since both words represent the act of initiating aggression or physical confrontation, they are synonymous in meaning.

Explanation

The verb adorned is the past tense of adorn, which means to make more beautiful or attractive by adding ornaments or decorations. In this context, the red roses serve as decorative elements that enhance the beauty of the bride's hair. The word is commonly used in literature and descriptive writing to describe the act of embellishing or beautifying a person or an object with accessories.

Explanation

The sentence requires a perfect participle in the passive voice to indicate an action that was completed before the main action occurred. The standard grammatical structure for a passive perfect participle is Having + been + V3 (past participle). In this context, the subject received a warning from someone else before he decided not to repeat the mistake. Therefore, the past participle been must follow Having, and the main verb warn must be in its past participle form warned. This construction correctly establishes the sequence of events and the passive nature of the first action.

Explanation

The noun information is an uncountable noun and is always treated as singular in English grammar. When the quantifier plenty of is followed by an uncountable noun, the verb must agree with the singular nature of that noun. Consequently, the plural auxiliary verb were is grammatically incorrect in this context and must be replaced by the singular auxiliary verb was to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.

Explanation

The verb impressed is used to describe the act of evoking admiration, respect, or interest through one's actions or qualities. In the context of a public address, a fine speech is intended to have a positive and powerful impact on the listeners. Therefore, saying the speaker impressed the audience correctly conveys that his performance was well-received and left a lasting, favorable influence on those who heard it.

Explanation

The logical sequence begins with sentence D, which introduces the setting and the initial encounter between the narrator and a stranger on the dock. Sentence A follows naturally as the narrator begins to learn about the stranger's background, discovering he is an old sailor with extensive local knowledge. Sentence C provides the stranger's specific motivation for seeking employment, explaining his health issues and his desire to return to sea as a cook. Finally, sentence B concludes the narrative flow by using the transition word So to indicate the result of the conversation, which is the narrator's decision to hire the man for the position.

Explanation

The word illuminate specifically means to supply or brighten with light or to light up a space. It is derived from the Latin root lumen, which translates to light. In a literal sense, it refers to the process of making an area or an object bright and visible by using lamps, candles, or other light sources.

Explanation

The idiom at large is used to describe a person, typically a criminal or a suspect, who is free and has not been captured or imprisoned by the authorities. In the context of the sentence, the burglar was at large because they were still roaming free, causing fear among the people as law enforcement had not yet apprehended them.

Explanation

The error in the segment lies in the incorrect use of the preposition. The adjective afraid is followed by the fixed preposition of to indicate the source or cause of fear. Therefore, the phrase should be afraid of darkness instead of afraid from darkness. Standard English usage dictates that certain adjectives must be paired with specific prepositions, and in this case, of is the only grammatically correct choice to follow afraid.

Explanation

The word solemn refers to a state of being formal, dignified, and sincere. It describes a demeanor or an occasion that is marked by gravity and a lack of lightheartedness or humor. Serious is a direct synonym as it also denotes an earnest, grave, or somber quality, characterizing someone or something that is not joking or trivial but is instead focused and meaningful. Both terms are used to describe situations or individuals that command respect through their earnestness and lack of levity.

Explanation

The conjunction unless is a conditional word that means if not or except if. Because it already carries a negative meaning, it should not be followed by another negative word such as not or don't within the same clause. Using a second negative creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect. To express the condition that learning will not occur if the person does not make an effort, the positive form of the verb must follow the conjunction. Therefore, the phrase unless you try correctly establishes the required condition for the main clause.

Explanation

The idiom kill two birds with one stone refers to the act of accomplishing two different tasks or achieving two separate goals simultaneously through a single action or effort. It highlights efficiency and the optimal use of resources by solving two problems at once or gaining two benefits from one endeavor. This expression, which has been used in English since at least the 17th century, draws on the literal imagery of using one projectile to hit two targets, and it is commonly applied in various contexts to describe situations where a single strategy leads to multiple productive outcomes.

Explanation

The active sentence is in the simple past tense, as indicated by the auxiliary did not cause. To convert a sentence from the simple past active voice to the passive voice, the structure used is: Subject + was/were + past participle (V3) + by + agent. In this sentence, much damage is the object of the active voice and becomes the subject of the passive voice. Since much damage is uncountable and treated as singular, it requires the auxiliary was. The past participle of cause is caused. Combining these elements results in the construction not much damage was caused by the fire.

Explanation

In the conversion of direct speech to indirect speech for an interrogative sentence, several grammatical adjustments are required. The reporting verb said to is changed to asked because the speaker is posing a question. For Yes/No questions beginning with a modal verb like can, the conjunction if or whether is introduced. The first-person pronoun I changes to the third-person he to correspond with the subject Rahul. Following the rule of sequence of tenses, the modal verb can is shifted to its past tense form could. Furthermore, adverbs of time are updated to reflect the change in perspective, so now becomes then. Finally, the sentence structure changes from interrogative to assertive, placing the subject before the verb.