SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word imminent refers to an event or situation that is about to happen very soon, often implying a sense of urgency or inevitability. Impending is its direct synonym, as it describes something that is looming or forthcoming in the immediate future. Both terms are frequently used in contexts involving approaching danger, significant changes, or scheduled events that are expected to occur without delay.

Explanation

Inaudible is a term used to describe a sound that is unable to be heard. The word is composed of the prefix in-, which denotes negation, and the root word audible, which pertains to the sense of hearing. It specifically applies to sounds that are too faint, at too high or low a frequency for the human ear to detect, or are otherwise obstructed such that they cannot be perceived by an observer.

Explanation

The sentence requires subject-verb agreement where the singular subject Computer crime must be followed by the singular auxiliary verb has rather than the plural have. The phrase in the news is the standard idiomatic expression used to indicate that a topic is being reported by media outlets. Furthermore, the preposition since is correctly used with the present perfect tense to denote a specific starting point in time, the nineteen eighties, that continues into the present. Thus, the substitution provides the grammatically correct singular verb while maintaining the proper prepositional usage for both the idiom and the time reference.

Explanation

An aquarium is a transparent tank or glass container specifically designed to hold water for the purpose of keeping and displaying live fish and other aquatic organisms. The word originates from the Latin aqua meaning water, combined with the suffix -arium which indicates a place or container associated with a particular thing.

Explanation

The original sentence uses the passive voice form of the present continuous tense, characterized by the construction "are being + past participle (blown)." To convert this into active voice, the sentence must follow the present continuous structure: Subject + am/is/are + present participle (V-ing) + Object. Since the subject "the soldiers" is plural, it requires the auxiliary verb "are" followed by "blowing," which maintains the original tense and indicates the action is currently in progress.

Explanation

The idiom take into account means to think about or include a particular fact or detail when making a decision or judgment. In the given sentence, it signifies the act of considering all relevant factors to ensure an informed and well-thought-out conclusion.

Explanation

The grammatical error lies in the use of the word then. In English grammar, the phrase no sooner is a correlative conjunction that must always be paired with than to introduce the second event in a sequence. While then is an adverb often used to indicate time or what happens next, it cannot be used as the connecting word in this specific comparative structure. To make the sentence grammatically correct, the word then should be replaced with than to complete the standard no sooner... than construction.

Explanation

Camaraderie refers to a feeling of mutual trust, friendship, and lighthearted rapport among people who spend a lot of time together. It signifies a positive social bond and harmony within a group. An antonym must represent the opposite of this friendly connection. Dislike signifies a feeling of aversion, distaste, or hostility toward someone or something. Since dislike represents a negative emotional state and a lack of affinity, it stands as the direct opposite to the spirit of fellowship and goodwill conveyed by camaraderie.

Explanation

The word criticise means to indicate the faults of someone or something in a disapproving way. Its direct antonym is praise, which means to express warm approval or admiration. Praise is the most appropriate opposite among the given choices.

Explanation

The error lies in the segment having the trouble because it uses an incorrect idiomatic expression. In English, the standard phrase used to describe making an effort is to take the trouble rather than have the trouble. When following the construction it is not worth, the sentence requires either the noun phrase worth the trouble or the gerund phrase worth taking the trouble. The use of the verb having is contextually and idiomatically inappropriate as it fails to form the correct collocation required to express the act of putting in effort.

Explanation

The word weird is spelled correctly with the letter e preceding the letter i. It serves as a prominent exception to the common English spelling mnemonic i before e except after c, which suggests that i should come first in most cases. The spelling is rooted in the Old English term wyrd, meaning fate or destiny. In modern English, weird is the standard and universally accepted spelling for describing something supernatural, uncanny, or strange. It remains one of the most distinctive words in the lexicon due to its irregular vowel placement.

Explanation

The sentence describes a general fact or a common occurrence, indicated by the frequency adverb usually. In English grammar, general truths and habitual actions are expressed using the Simple Present tense. The subject of the sentence is a personality or character, which is a third-person singular subject. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a third-person singular subject in the Simple Present tense requires the verb to take the -s or -es suffix. Consequently, catches is the grammatically correct form to complete the sentence, ensuring the verb aligns with the singular subject while maintaining the appropriate tense for the context of the passage.

Explanation

The passage begins by identifying that a story's characters are usually what interest a child the most. The word So serves as a logical connector or transition that introduces a recommendation based on this observation. It indicates a consequence or a practical application of the fact stated in the previous sentence. Since the child is primarily focused on the characters, the reader is advised to use different voices to bring those characters to life and maintain that engagement.

Explanation

In the context of storytelling, the preposition for is used to indicate the purpose or the intended recipient of an action. When a reader modifies their tone or pitch to represent a specific individual in a narrative, they are adopting a distinct voice for that character. This usage establishes a clear link between the auditory performance and the specific persona being portrayed, ensuring that the child can distinguish between different roles in the story.

Explanation

The context of the passage focuses on the dramatization of a story to engage a child. When storytelling involves physical performance or character portrayal, the most appropriate term for the segments or sequences being performed is parts. This choice aligns with the phrase act out, which refers to performing specific segments or scenes from a narrative to make the characters and events more vivid. Additionally, the subsequent sentence in the passage uses the term parts in a similar context, ensuring lexical consistency throughout the text.

Explanation

The phrasal verb acting out means to perform a scene, a narrative, or a specific role through gestures and speech. In the context of the passage, it refers back to the previously mentioned technique of performing parts of the story to engage a child's imagination. This physical dramatization makes the storytelling process interactive and vivid, which aligns with the goal of making the session fun and memorable for the audience.

Explanation

The word is misspelled because it lacks the letter p. The correct spelling is Symptoms. This term refers to physical or mental features that indicate a condition of disease, particularly those apparent to the patient. It is derived from the Greek word symptoma, which signifies a chance, casualty, or symptom.

Explanation

Relative pronouns must agree with the nature of their antecedent. In this sentence, the antecedent is "My older brother," which refers to a human being. The pronoun "which" is reserved for referring to animals, objects, or abstract ideas. When the antecedent is a person, the relative pronouns "who" or "whom" are required. Since the brother is the object of the verb "meet" in the relative clause, the correct pronoun to use is "whom." Therefore, the use of "which" to refer to a person is grammatically incorrect.

Explanation

The word rely is defined as having full trust or confidence in someone or something, often involving a state of dependence for support or a specific outcome. Because its primary meaning centers on the presence of faith and certainty, its direct antonym must represent a lack of faith. Distrust specifically means to have no confidence in or to be suspicious of someone or something. Therefore, distrust functions as the most appropriate opposite because it contradicts the fundamental sense of trust inherent in the word rely.

Explanation

The phrasal verb to take after means to resemble an older member of one's family in appearance, character, or behavior. It is typically used to indicate that a person looks like or acts similarly to a parent or another relative. This idiom focuses on the inheritance of traits or features through lineage.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement by establishing the geographical and climatic setting of Ladakh as a cold desert with low rainfall. Sentence C follows as a logical consequence of this arid climate, using the transition word Thus to explain that the residents rely on glaciers for water. Sentence A introduces a specific complication to this reliance by mentioning water shortages in Leh, using the contrast word However to signal a change in the situation. Sentence D provides the explanation for why these shortages did not stop daily life, using the phrase This was because to link back to the resilience mentioned in A and credit the invention of artificial glaciers by Chewang Norphel. This sequence creates a logical progression from the general environmental context to a specific problem and its successful resolution.

Explanation

The idiom foul play refers to unfair, dishonest, or treacherous behavior, particularly in the context of a competition, business dealings, or criminal investigations. It originates from sports, where a foul is a violation of the rules. In general usage, it often suggests that a situation involves deceit, cheating, or even violent crime rather than being the result of an accident or natural causes. It describes any action that deviates from the standards of fairness, honesty, or legality.

Explanation

The word abolish is specifically defined as the act of formally putting an end to a system, practice, or institution. It is the standard terminology used in legal, political, and historical contexts when an established custom or law is officially terminated by an authoritative body. Examples include the abolition of slavery or the abolition of specific legislative acts, where the emphasis is on the official and permanent nature of the cessation.

Explanation

The error lies in the phrase and punished because it lacks the auxiliary verb was required to form a complete passive construction. In the first part of the sentence, was serves as a linking verb for the adjective late. In the second part, punished is a past participle used to indicate an action performed upon the subject. Because the grammatical function shifts from a state of being to a passive action, the auxiliary verb was must be repeated to make the sentence grammatically sound. The correct structure is He was late for school and was punished.

Explanation

The sentence uses the adverb hardly, which carries a negative meaning similar to never or seldom. In English grammar, when the main clause contains a negative word or a semi-negative adverb like hardly, scarcely, or rarely, the question tag must be positive. The main verb works is in the simple present tense, which requires the auxiliary verb does for the third-person singular subject she. Therefore, the positive question tag formed using this auxiliary and the subject pronoun is does she.

Explanation

The phrase I wish is used to express a hypothetical desire or regret. When a speaker expresses regret about a past situation or an action that did not occur, the sentence must follow the structure of the third conditional, using the past perfect tense (had + past participle). In this sentence, the speaker is reflecting on a past instance where they failed to follow their parents' advice. Using had listened correctly shifts the timeframe to the past, indicating that the action of listening did not happen and is now a source of regret.

Explanation

When converting direct speech to reported speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense such as said, the tense of the verb within the inverted commas must shift back in time. Specifically, the simple past tense slipped is converted into the past perfect tense had slipped. The conjunction that is used to connect the reporting verb to the reported clause. Since there is no listener mentioned in the direct speech, the reporting verb said remains unchanged rather than shifting to told, which would require an object. Thus, the correct transformation involves changing the verb tense to reflect that the action occurred prior to the moment of reporting.

Explanation

The word duo refers to a pair of people or things that are associated together or perform as a unit. It is derived from the Latin word for two and is commonly used in various contexts, such as music, sports, or literature, to describe a set of two individuals or objects functioning together. Since a pair also signifies a set of two things used together or regarded as a unit, it serves as the most appropriate synonym.

Explanation

In the phrase "It was a surprising", the use of the indefinite article 'a' is grammatically incorrect because the word 'surprising' is an adjective and is not followed by a noun. An indefinite article must modify a noun or a noun phrase. To make the sentence grammatically sound, the article 'a' should be removed so that 'surprising' functions as a predicative adjective in the structure "It was surprising to receive...". Alternatively, the adjective 'surprising' could be replaced with the noun 'surprise' to form the correct noun phrase "It was a surprise to receive...". The current construction improperly places an article before an adjective that lacks a corresponding noun.

Explanation

The error lies in the subject-verb agreement within the sentence. The subject is "The fisheries sector," where the head noun "sector" is a singular noun. According to the rules of English grammar, a singular subject must be followed by a singular verb. Therefore, the plural auxiliary verb "have" should be replaced with the singular form "has" to correctly match the subject. The corrected sentence should read: The fisheries sector has grown significantly in the last one year.

Explanation

The error in this sentence is an illogical comparison, often called a faulty comparison. In English grammar, comparisons must be made between similar entities. Here, the sentence incorrectly compares a physical structure, my house, to a person, my sister. To make the comparison grammatically valid, the house should be compared to another house. This is corrected by using the possessive form my sister's, which implies my sister's house, or by using the phrase that of my sister to refer back to the house. Therefore, the segment containing the error is the one that fails to use the possessive form to indicate the object of comparison.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of a Simple Present tense interrogative. To convert an active sentence in the form Do/Does + subject + verb₁ + object into passive voice, the formula Is/Am/Are + new subject + verb₃ + by + new object is applied. In this case, the active object me transitions to the passive subject I. Since the subject is I, the corresponding auxiliary verb is Am. The base verb trust is changed to its past participle form trusted. Finally, the active subject you becomes the object of the preposition by. Combining these elements results in the interrogative passive structure: Am I trusted by you?

Explanation

The word paranoid describes a state of being excessively suspicious or anxious about the motives of others, often characterized by the irrational belief that people are out to cause harm or deception. This psychological state is defined by a fundamental lack of faith in the intentions of others. Therefore, the word distrustful is the most appropriate synonym as it directly signifies a feeling of doubt or a lack of trust regarding the reliability and honesty of people.

Explanation

The term stoic refers to a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining. It describes an individual who remains calm and unemotional, maintaining a state of indifference to both pleasure and pain. This concept originates from the ancient Greek school of philosophy known as Stoicism, which taught that the path to happiness and virtue is found in accepting the present moment as it presents itself, by not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or the fear of pain.

Explanation

The word appal means to fill someone with intense shock, horror, or dismay, typically resulting from something deeply unpleasant or terrifying. An antonym must represent a word that provides comfort, confidence, or the removal of fear. Assure means to tell someone something positively or confidently to dispel any doubts or to make someone feel certain and secure. While appal induces a state of alarm or distress, to assure functions as the opposite by providing a sense of reassurance and peace of mind.

Explanation

The adjective tired is idiomatically followed by the preposition of when expressing a sense of boredom, impatience, or annoyance with someone or something that has persisted for a long time. In the context of the passage, the villagers had become weary and fed up with the old man's constant gloominess and habitual complaining, making tired of the grammatically correct and contextually appropriate phrase.

Explanation

The passage describes the old man's behavior as a permanent and unrelenting state, as indicated by the parallel use of the word always to describe his gloominess and bad mood. The adverb constantly is the most appropriate fit because it signifies that an action occurs continuously or with very high frequency over a period of time. In the context of he constantly complained, the word emphasizes that his habit of complaining was persistent and habitual, reinforcing the narrative theme of his enduringly miserable and vile nature.

Explanation

The sentence follows the double comparative structure, which is used to express a parallel increase or decrease between two conditions. The standard grammatical construction for this is The + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb, the + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb. Since the second clause uses the comparative form more vile, the first clause must also use the comparative degree of the adjective long, which is longer. This indicates that the passage of time in the man's life was directly proportional to the increase in his unpleasant behavior.

Explanation

The passage describes the increasing bitterness and negativity of an old man whose character is characterized as vile. In a figurative sense, words that are full of malice, spite, or bitterness are described as poisonous. This adjective aligns with the description of his deteriorating mood and the unpleasant effect he has on the villagers, suggesting that his speech had a harmful and stinging quality that spread his unhappiness to others.

Explanation

The phrasal verb look forward to consists of the verb look, the adverb forward, and the preposition to. In this idiomatic expression, to functions as a preposition rather than as part of an infinitive verb. Standard English grammar dictates that prepositions must be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun. Consequently, the expression requires the gerund seeing to complete the structure properly, resulting in the sentence Are you looking forward to seeing Nikhil again?

Explanation

The term alien is used to describe a life form or being that originates from a planet or world other than Earth. In the context of science fiction and popular culture, it specifically refers to fictional extraterrestrial entities. While the word can also denote someone from a different country in a legal or social sense, its primary usage for a being from another world makes it the most appropriate one-word substitute for the given description.

Explanation

The term punctilious is used to describe an individual who shows great attention to detail and is extremely careful about behaving correctly according to established rules, etiquette, or formalities. It is derived from the word punctilio, which refers to a minute detail of conduct or a fine point of procedure. A punctilious person is scrupulous and meticulous, ensuring that every small point of a task or social expectation is addressed with precision and strict adherence to the required standard.

Explanation

The sentence He opened the door for his mother is in the simple past tense, following the active voice structure of Subject + V2 + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the formula Object + was/were + V3 (past participle) + by + Subject is applied. The object the door becomes the new subject and is singular, necessitating the auxiliary verb was. The past participle of the verb open is opened. The active subject he changes to its objective form him after the preposition by. The prepositional phrase for his mother is then appended to complete the transformation. Applying these rules results in the sentence the door was opened by him for his mother.

Explanation

Sentence C serves as the introductory statement by identifying fixed deposits as a primary method for securing money. Sentence D logically follows by describing the fundamental characteristic of this investment vehicle, which is the one-time deposit requirement at the time of account opening. Sentence B uses the pronoun It to refer back to the fixed deposit scheme and outlines its primary benefits: capital preservation and interest generation. Sentence A provides a concluding detail regarding the interest mentioned in the previous sentence, specifying that the rates are contingent upon the bank, the amount deposited, and the chosen tenure.

Explanation

The idiom on the wane refers to something that is decreasing in power, popularity, intensity, or influence. It originates from the phases of the moon, specifically the period after a full moon when the visible illuminated portion starts to diminish, known as the waning moon. In a broader metaphorical sense, when a person’s reputation, a specific trend, or a social movement is described as being on the wane, it signifies that the subject is gradually weakening, fading, or moving toward a state of steady decline from a previously higher or stronger point.

Explanation

The word prey refers to an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food, or metaphorically, a person who is victimized or exploited by others. In biological and social contexts, the predator is the opposite figure, as it represents the hunter or the entity that attacks and exploits others for its own benefit. Therefore, predator serves as the direct antonym because it describes the active role in the relationship where prey describes the passive or victimized role.

Explanation

The word Whitan is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Whiten. In English, the suffix -en is frequently added to adjectives to form verbs that mean to make or become a particular quality. Since the base adjective is white, the resulting verb follows this pattern to become whiten, similar to how other adjectives like soft or weak become soften or weaken. The use of the suffix -an in Whitan is grammatically incorrect for this type of verb formation.

Explanation

The idiom a long shot refers to an attempt or guess that has a very low probability of success. It originates from the idea of firing a weapon at a target from a great distance, which makes hitting the mark extremely difficult and unlikely. In general usage, it describes any venture, bet, or prediction that is far-fetched or lacks a strong chance of a positive outcome, even if it remains a possibility.

Explanation

The segment contains a grammatical error because it lacks the indefinite article a. In English grammar, when the adverb too modifies an adjective that precedes a singular countable noun, the indefinite article must be placed between the adjective and the noun. The correct structural pattern is too + adjective + a/an + noun. Consequently, the phrase should correctly read too grave a sin to maintain grammatical accuracy within the sentence.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice of the Present Continuous tense, which follows the structure: Object + is/am/are + being + V3 (past participle) + by Subject. The phrase are being translated identifies this specific tense and voice. To convert it to the active voice, the structure must be: Subject + is/am/are + V1-ing (present participle) + Object. Since the subject they is plural, it takes the auxiliary verb are followed by the continuous form translating to maintain the original tense and meaning of the sentence.