SSC CGL Tier 1 2020 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression from a general statement to specific details about an individual. Sentence C serves as the introduction by establishing the broad context of talented people existing in ancient Greece. Sentence A naturally follows by identifying Aesop as one of those talented individuals, creating a direct link through the pronoun them. Sentence D provides a physical and intellectual description of Aesop, transitioning the focus to his personal attributes. Finally, sentence B concludes the sequence by describing the specific action he took as a result of his cleverness, which was telling interesting stories to the people. This flow ensures that the subject is introduced, identified, described, and then shown in action.

Explanation

The sentence structure follows the rule of correlative conjunctions where hardly is paired with when to describe two events occurring in rapid succession. When a sentence begins with the negative adverb hardly, grammatical inversion is required, placing the auxiliary verb had before the subject he. Following the auxiliary had, the main verb must be in the past participle form, which is sat. The standard correlative partner for hardly is when, while than is used exclusively with no sooner. Consequently, the correct grammatical construction requires the past participle sat and the conjunction when.

Explanation

The word steal is a verb that refers to the act of taking someone else's property illegally or without right. In the given sentence, the structure requires an infinitive verb after the phrase tried to, making steal the semantically and grammatically appropriate choice to describe the attempt to take a ring unlawfully.

Explanation

The original sentence contains errors in both verb agreement and prepositional usage. The subject "The diver" is a singular noun, which requires the singular verb form "dives" or the past tense form "dived" for grammatical correctness. Additionally, the preposition "into" is specifically used to indicate movement or entry from the outside to the inside of a space or container. Since the action involves moving from a height into the water, "dived into" correctly provides the appropriate tense and describes the direction of the movement.

Explanation

Dexterity refers to the skill, aptitude, or cleverness in using the hands or mind to perform tasks with precision. It implies a high degree of practiced proficiency and specialized know-how. Ignorance functions as its antonym because it represents a lack of knowledge, awareness, or the necessary understanding to perform a task. Whereas dexterity indicates the presence of ability and expertise, ignorance signifies the absence of the very knowledge and competence that constitute such skill.

Explanation

The word provided in option a is misspelled. The correct spelling is chauffeur, which refers to a person employed to drive a private or luxury motor vehicle. The spelling used in the option, Chouffer, incorrectly substitutes the vowel combination au with o and omits the u before the final r, which are standard elements of this French-origin word in English.

Explanation

The term insolvent refers to a person or organization that does not have enough money or assets to pay their debts or fulfill their financial obligations. In a legal context, insolvency is the state of being unable to meet these liabilities, which may eventually lead to a formal declaration of bankruptcy.

Explanation

The word divide is defined as the act of separating or partitioning a whole into distinct parts or groups. To unite is the primary antonym because it describes the process of joining, combining, or merging separate elements to create a single, unified entity. In a linguistic context, these words represent opposite directions of movement: one toward fragmentation and the other toward cohesion.

Explanation

The error lies in the subject-verb agreement within the relative clause. In this sentence, the relative pronoun who refers to the antecedent My brother, which is a singular noun. According to the rules of English grammar, a verb must agree in number with its subject or the antecedent of the relative pronoun that acts as the subject. Since My brother is singular, the verb in the relative clause must also be in its singular form, which is lives. The use of the plural verb live is incorrect in this context.

Explanation

The word expensive describes something that costs a lot of money or is high-priced. In English, the word dear functions as a synonym for expensive, particularly in British English and formal contexts, to indicate that an item is costly or has a high price tag. For instance, if an item is described as being too dear, it means it is overpriced or expensive. Therefore, dear is the correct lexical match for expensive.

Explanation

The word Creater is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Creator, which refers to a person or thing that brings something into existence. In English, the noun form of the verb create is formed by adding the suffix -or rather than -er, following the pattern of many Latin-derived agent nouns.

Explanation

The logical sequence begins with sentence D, which introduces the subject, Sanjay, as the central noun of the paragraph. Sentence A follows by using the pronoun he to refer back to Sanjay and providing descriptive information about his talent as a gifted volleyball player. Sentence B then introduces a contrast using the conjunction but to explain a change in his current professional status. Finally, sentence C provides the causal explanation for this change, linking the reason for not playing international matches to the accident mentioned in the statement.

Explanation

The word reimbursement is correctly spelled and functions as a noun referring to the act of compensating someone for an expense or loss. It is formed by the verb reimburse and the suffix -ment. The verb itself is a combination of the prefix re-, meaning back or again, and the word imburse, which comes from the Latin root bursa, meaning purse. The spelling is characterized by the prefix im- placed before the consonant b and the retention of the letter e from the root verb before adding the suffix.

Explanation

The idiom to take the bull by the horns signifies dealing with a difficult or dangerous situation in a direct and confident manner. It suggests that instead of avoiding a problem or acting tentatively, one chooses to confront the challenge head-on with courage and decisiveness. The phrase draws from the physical imagery of a person seizing a bull by its horns to gain control over its movements, representing the proactive handling of a tough circumstance to achieve a desired outcome.

Explanation

The sequence begins with sentence D, which introduces the main subject by identifying learning how to swim as a significant challenge. Sentence A follows by providing specific context regarding the difficulty mentioned in the first sentence, explaining that the narrator pursued this skill despite a fear of water. Sentence C adds a secondary motivation using the transition word also to connect the idea of physical exercise to the previous point about learning a skill. Finally, sentence B concludes the narrative by using the transition however to shift from the narrator's initial expectations to an unexpected positive outcome, which was the gain in personal confidence.

Explanation

The word definition is correctly spelled as D-E-F-I-N-I-T-I-O-N. It is a noun that refers to a formal statement of the exact meaning or significance of a word, phrase, or concept. Etymologically, it is derived from the Latin word definitio, which comes from the verb definire, meaning to set bounds, limit, or explain. The spelling is consistent with the root word finite, which helps in remembering the placement of the vowel i in the second and third syllables. In standard English usage, the word is used to clarify terms or to describe the degree of distinctness in an image or sound.

Explanation

The word erudite is derived from the Latin eruditus, which means to instruct or polish from a rude or unpolished state. It describes an individual who possesses extensive knowledge acquired through intensive study and research. Consequently, a learned person is synonymous with being erudite as both terms characterize someone with a high degree of scholarship and intellectual depth.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Present Continuous Tense, which follows the structure subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + object. To convert this into the passive voice, the object a residential youth hostel becomes the new subject, and the verb form changes to am/is/are + being + past participle (V3). Since the new subject is singular, the auxiliary is is used followed by being and the past participle of construct, which is constructed. This results in the structure: A residential youth hostel + is + being + constructed + by them.

Explanation

The sentence requires a preposition to express a contrast between the continued use of drugs and the negative outcomes that follow. The word despite is a preposition used to indicate that something happens even though there are factors that would normally prevent it or make it unlikely. It is correctly followed by the noun phrase harmful consequences. In English grammar, despite is used directly before the noun or pronoun without the addition of the preposition of, making it the grammatically accurate choice for this context.

Explanation

The sentence utilizes the correlative conjunction structure not only... but also to indicate that drug addiction has multiple consequences. The first clause states that addiction affects an individual's health and relationships. To maintain thematic and logical consistency in the second clause, a verb is required that describes the effect of drug addiction on society and the environment. The word impacts means to have a strong effect on someone or something, making it the most suitable choice to describe the broad and significant consequences that drug addiction exerts on the collective community and the natural world.

Explanation

The context of the sentence discusses the prevention of drug addiction through regulatory measures. Restricting the sale of drugs without a prescription is a standard public health and legal strategy to control access to potentially harmful substances. By limiting or imposing constraints on how these drugs are sold, authorities can ensure they are only used under medical supervision, thereby reducing the risk of abuse and addiction in the general population.

Explanation

In the context of substance abuse and recovery, rehabilitation refers to the structured process of medical and psychotherapeutic treatment designed to help individuals stop drug use and return to a healthy, productive life. Providing rehabilitation facilities alongside medical treatment is the standard approach for ensuring long-term recovery and preventing relapse, as these centers offer the psychological support and social reintegration necessary for addicts to overcome their dependency.

Explanation

The preposition of is used to indicate a relationship between a noun and its object, specifically identifying what is being consumed. In the phrase consumption of drugs, the word of establishes that drugs are the substance involved in the process of consumption. This is a standard idiomatic construction in English where the noun consumption is followed by of to specify the material or resource being used or depleted.

Explanation

The word allure means to powerfully attract, entice, or charm someone through a pleasing or compelling quality. Its antonym is repulse, which means to cause a feeling of strong dislike, intense distaste, or aversion, effectively driving someone away instead of drawing them in.

Explanation

A harangue is defined as a lengthy, forceful, and aggressive speech, often delivered in a loud or angry manner. It is typically intended to lecture, criticize, or persuade a crowd or an individual through a passionate and polemical delivery. The term historically derives from the Old Italian word aringo, which referred to a public assembly or the space where such speeches were made, emphasizing the public and often confrontational nature of this form of communication.

Explanation

Alma mater is a Latin phrase that translates literally to nourishing mother. In modern usage, it refers specifically to the school, college, or university that a person has attended or from which they have graduated. The term metaphorically suggests that the educational institution provides intellectual and spiritual nourishment to its students, much like a mother provides for a child. This expression has been used in academic contexts for centuries to denote the site of one's education and formative academic years.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement by defining Hinamatsuri and its purpose as a celebration for girls in Japan. Sentence A logically follows because it refers to "the celebration" mentioned in B and introduces the ornamental Hina dolls that are displayed during this time. Sentence D provides specific details about the identity of these dolls, noting that they represent the Emperor, Empress, and other royal figures. Finally, sentence C describes the physical appearance and attire of these "royal-looking dolls" mentioned in D, specifying that they are dressed in clothing from the Heian period. This progression flows naturally from the general introduction of the festival to the specific description of its symbolic items.

Explanation

In English grammar, the negative form of the simple past tense is constructed using the auxiliary verb did followed by not and the base form of the main verb (V₁). Since the auxiliary verb did already indicates the past tense, the main verb must remain in its root form without any inflectional endings like -ed. Therefore, the phrase did not wanted is grammatically incorrect and should be corrected to did not want to adhere to the standard formula: Subject + did + not + base verb.

Explanation

The word candid refers to being truthful, straightforward, and frank in speech or expression. In the context of a group discussion where participants are encouraged to speak without any fear, the objective is to share honest and sincere opinions. Therefore, expressing candid views aligns perfectly with the requirement for open and genuine communication among students.

Explanation

The word futile means incapable of producing any useful result, pointless, or ineffectual. In the context of the sentence, the phrase and did not bring the desired results serves as a direct definition of the preceding blank. When an action or endeavor fails to achieve its intended outcome despite the effort put in, it is described as being futile.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the superlative adjective least in a comparative construction. The word than indicates a comparison, which necessitates the use of a comparative degree adjective rather than a superlative one. For countable nouns such as participants, the grammatically appropriate phrase is no fewer than. Even when referring to a collective quantity or number, the comparative form less would be required. The superlative form least is used to denote the smallest amount in a group of three or more and cannot be paired with than.

Explanation

The word bizarre is used to describe something that is strikingly out of the ordinary, extremely strange, or eccentric in appearance or character. It denotes a high degree of irregularity or abnormality. In contrast, the word usual refers to things that are common, ordinary, or habitually occurring according to standard expectations. Because usual describes things that are normal and expected, it serves as the direct antonym to bizarre, which characterizes things that are notably deviant from the norm.

Explanation

The expression many of requires a definite determiner such as the, these, those, or a possessive adjective before a plural noun. This structure is used to refer to a specific subset of a larger group. In this sentence, the definite article the is necessary to identify the specific group of students who were eligible for the personal interview. Therefore, many of the students correctly follows the grammatical requirement for a plural countable noun preceded by a specific identifier.

Explanation

The idiom to flog a dead horse refers to the act of wasting time and effort on a task or a situation that is already beyond repair, resolved, or completely hopeless. Just as physically whipping a dead horse is a futile attempt to make it move, this expression describes any endeavor where energy is expended on something that will yield no results or change in outcome. it signifies an unproductive persistence in a matter that has already reached its end or is a lost cause.

Explanation

In this sentence, the reflexive pronoun myself is required because the subject of the implied action (I) is the same as the object being registered. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a verb are identical, ensuring grammatical clarity that the action is performed upon oneself. Furthermore, the verb register is modified by the adverb legally to describe the manner in which the registration is conducted, as adverbs are used to provide more information about verbs. Thus, the phrase correctly identifies the person being registered and the legal nature of that process.

Explanation

In indirect speech, the greeting Hello is typically replaced by the reporting verb greeted. For the interrogative part What can I do for you?, the reporting verb said to changes to asked. The tense of the modal verb can is backshifted to could to match the past tense of the reporting verb. The first-person pronoun I changes to he to refer to the speaker, and the second-person pronoun you changes to him to refer to the friend. Additionally, the interrogative word order What can I do is converted into an assertive word order what he could do, and the conjunction that is not used before WH-interrogative words in indirect speech.

Explanation

The word violent refers to behavior involving physical force intended to hurt or damage, which is synonymous with aggressive. Options A, B, and C are antonyms of violent.

Explanation

The sentence expresses a hypothetical or unreal wish about the present. In English grammar, the verb wish is followed by the past subjunctive mood to indicate a situation that is contrary to fact. In the subjunctive mood, the verb form were is used for all subjects, including first-person singular I, regardless of standard subject-verb agreement rules. Additionally, the conjunction if is redundant after I wish because the verb wish already establishes the conditional and hypothetical nature of the statement. Therefore, I wish I were is the correct grammatical structure to express an imaginary present state.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure Subject + reporting verb + perfect infinitive. In the active voice, the verb claim is in the Present Simple tense, and the action seen is expressed as a perfect infinitive (to have seen) to indicate it happened before the claiming. To convert this into the passive voice with the elephant as the new subject, the reporting verb must be changed to the Present Simple passive form (is claimed). Additionally, the perfect infinitive (to have seen) must be converted into its passive form (to have been seen). This construction correctly reflects the timeframe of the actions while shifting the focus to the object of the original sentence.

Explanation

The sentence describes two past actions where one occurred before the other, requiring the past perfect tense. The auxiliary verb has should be replaced with had to correctly form Lucy had already cut the cake.

Explanation

The word neglected is the most appropriate choice because it means failing to care for something properly or ignoring responsibilities regarding it. In the context of health being a first priority, the sentence suggests that one must consistently attend to their well-being. Therefore, the assertion is that health should never be ignored or left without proper care and attention. This aligns with standard linguistic usage where health is something that is either maintained or neglected based on the level of priority given to it.

Explanation

The word distinguish means to recognize or treat as different, or to perceive the difference between two or more things. In a medical and linguistic context, color blindness is characterized by the deficiency or malfunction of cone cells in the retina, which results in an individual being unable to tell the difference between certain hues, such as red and green. The verb distinguish is the standard colocation used with the preposition between to describe the cognitive or sensory act of differentiating between multiple items or qualities.

Explanation

The word major is the most suitable adjective to describe the scale and significance of corruption within the context of a nation's socio-economic challenges. In English collocations, persistent and widespread issues that hinder development and the implementation of welfare schemes are termed major problems. This choice accurately reflects the gravity and extensive impact of corruption on the official duties and the overall progress of the country, as established by the subsequent sentences in the passage.

Explanation

The word intention refers to a person's design, aim, or purpose behind an action. In the context of the passage, corruption is defined as a deliberate act performed with the specific goal of securing unfair or illegal benefits. The phrase done with intention indicates that the individual is consciously choosing to subvert their official duties for personal gain. This term fits the logical flow of the sentence, as corruption is inherently a willful and planned behavior aimed at achieving a particular outcome, which is the definition of acting with intent.

Explanation

The sentence refers to the actions taken by the government regarding welfare programs for the public. In the context of governance and policy-making, the term announced is the most suitable word as it signifies the formal declaration or introduction of new schemes and initiatives to the citizens. It implies that the government has officially made these welfare plans known to the public, which aligns with the subsequent mention of corruption hindering the intended success of such programs.

Explanation

The sentence discusses the difficulty of getting rid of corruption despite government welfare schemes. Among the given options, eliminated is the most logical choice as it means to completely remove or get rid of a problem.

Explanation

The context of the sentence describes the ideal behavior required from citizens to transform India into a corruption-free nation. To achieve such a goal, citizens must adhere to and abide by the established legal framework. The verb follow is the most appropriate choice as it means to act in accordance with a rule, instruction, or system. When combined with the phrases strong will power and cooperate whole heartedly, it completes the logical requirement that the elimination of corruption depends on the consistent observance of rules and regulations by the public.

Explanation

The word hostile is used to describe an attitude or environment that is unfriendly, antagonistic, or showing active opposition. The most appropriate antonym is amiable, which describes a person or manner that is friendly, pleasant, and sociable. While hostile implies conflict or ill will, amiable signifies a warm and harmonious disposition, making it the direct semantic opposite.

Explanation

The word definite is an adjective that refers to something clearly stated, decided, or having fixed limits. It is derived from the Latin word definitus, which is the past participle of definire, meaning to limit or define. The spelling is consistent with its root finis, meaning boundary or end, which is also seen in related words such as finish and finite. In English orthography, the suffix -ite is commonly used for adjectives of Latin origin, maintaining the vowel i before the final silent e.

Explanation

The grammatical error in this sentence is the use of the preposition to after the verb utilized. In standard English usage, when the verb utilize is used in the passive voice to indicate the purpose or objective for which something is employed, it should be followed by the preposition for. Since the phrase overall development of the nation is a noun phrase acting as the intended goal, the sentence requires the preposition for to correctly link the action to its purpose. The preposition to would only be appropriate if it were part of an infinitive verb phrase, such as to promote the development, which is not the case here.