SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The error lies in the part Antique diamond necklace because it lacks a necessary determiner. In English grammar, a singular countable noun like necklace cannot stand alone and must be preceded by an article or another determiner. Since the sentence refers to a specific piece of jewelry stolen from a museum, the definite article The is required at the beginning of the sentence to make it The antique diamond necklace. The omission of the article before a singular countable noun results in a grammatical error.

Explanation

The word fluke refers to an unlikely chance occurrence or a surprising piece of luck that happens by accident rather than through deliberate skill or planning. It describes a stroke of good fortune or an incidental success. Chance is synonymous in this context as it denotes the occurrence of events in the absence of any obvious design or cause, specifically relating to luck or fortuity. Both terms characterize an outcome governed by accidental or unpredictable factors.

Explanation

In English grammar, prepositions like of must be followed by an object pronoun rather than a subject pronoun. The word they is a nominative or subject pronoun, which is used as the subject of a verb. Conversely, them is the objective or object pronoun. Since the pronoun follows the preposition of in the phrase both of, it must take the objective form. Therefore, both of them is the grammatically correct substitution for the underlined segment.

Explanation

When converting direct speech into reported speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense, such as said, the tense of the verb in the reported clause must undergo a backshift. In this sentence, the simple present verb is in the direct speech changes to the simple past was in the indirect speech. Additionally, the conjunction that is used to connect the reporting verb to the reported statement, resulting in the construction: She said that it was too good to be true.

Explanation

The verb persist is followed by the preposition in rather than to when used with a gerund or a noun phrase. In English grammar, certain verbs have fixed prepositional collocations, and the standard construction for this verb is persist in doing something. Therefore, the segment to doing is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with in doing to accurately convey that the subject continued her course of action despite obstacles or opposition.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically sound in its structure and word choice. The subject phrase uses the adjective unseasonal correctly to modify the noun rain. The verb caused is used in the simple past tense, which is appropriate for describing a completed action. The phrase a lot of damage correctly employs the uncountable noun damage to refer to physical harm. Additionally, the prepositional phrase to the crops uses the correct preposition to follow the noun damage, as damage to something is the standard idiomatic expression. There are no issues with subject-verb agreement, article usage, or syntax throughout the sentence.

Explanation

The verb wonder is correctly followed by the preposition about when it refers to considering or thinking about a specific possibility or action. Furthermore, the phrasal verb take up is the standard idiomatic expression used to mean starting a new hobby, sport, or activity. Therefore, the phrase about taking up provides the correct prepositional usage and the appropriate phrasal verb to describe the intention of beginning skating as a pastime.

Explanation

The word inscrutable refers to something that is impossible to understand, interpret, or investigate thoroughly. It is often used to describe a person's expression or a situation that remains mysterious and hidden from comprehension. Inexplicable serves as an appropriate synonym because it describes something that cannot be explained or accounted for. Both terms characterize subjects that defy logic or clear description, remaining beyond the reach of human understanding or clarification.

Explanation

The phrase at an early age is a standard English idiom and common collocation used to indicate that a particular quality or talent was exhibited during childhood or the beginning stages of a person's life. In the context of the passage, it describes Marie Curie's intellectual brilliance manifesting during her formative years. The structure fits grammatically with the preceding preposition at and the indefinite article an, which requires a word starting with a vowel sound.

Explanation

The adjective blithe describes a person who is happy, cheerful, and lighthearted. In the narrative of Marie’s early life, this word complements the description of her brilliant mind and her great exuberance for learning. It characterizes her personality as spirited and joyful, fitting the positive tone used to describe her childhood intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm.

Explanation

The word prompted means to incite, move, or inspire someone to take a specific action. In the context of the passage, Marie's intense enthusiasm and passion for education acted as the primary motivation that encouraged her to pursue higher studies. It correctly identifies the internal drive that led to her decision to continue her academic journey.

Explanation

The word disgruntled describes a person who is angry, dissatisfied, or resentful, particularly because of unfair treatment or a disappointment. In the context of the passage, Marie Curie is depicted as having a brilliant mind and a great exuberance for learning. Upon discovering that the university was closed to women, she would naturally feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the systemic inequality preventing her from pursuing her education. This emotional reaction aligns perfectly with the meaning of disgruntled as she faced an unjust barrier to her academic ambitions.

Explanation

In English grammar, the adjective closed is idiomatically followed by the preposition to when indicating that access or entry to a particular place, group, or institution is restricted or denied to a specific category of people. In the context of the passage, the university maintained a policy of exclusion toward female students, making it closed to women.

Explanation

The sentence follows a logical and grammatical progression starting with the subject and auxiliary verb phrase We have been. Part P provides the predicate adjective able and the infinitive phrase to identify certain patterns in, which requires an object. Part Q supplies this object, the microbiome and immune response. Part R introduces a relative clause starting with that, which describes the patterns or responses previously mentioned. Finally, part S completes the prepositional phrase started in R, establishing the parallel connection between the progression and severity of brain injury. This sequence creates a coherent statement where each segment naturally leads into the next based on standard English syntax.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the word work following the preposition of. In this context, the sentence intends to refer to Gita's experience or familiarity with the act of collaborating with others. According to English grammatical rules, a verb following a preposition must be in the gerund form (-ing) to function as a noun. Therefore, the base form work should be replaced by the gerund working. The phrase knowledge of working with junior colleagues is the correct idiomatic structure to describe professional experience in a specific activity.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the preposition since to describe a duration of time. In English grammar, since is used to indicate a specific starting point in time, such as since 10 AM or since Monday. To describe a length or period of time, the preposition for must be used. Because two hours represents a duration, the correct phrasing is for two hours.

Explanation

The word linger means to stay in a place longer than necessary, often due to a reluctance to depart or a tendency to tarry. It implies remaining or staying behind when others have gone. The word leave means to depart, go away from, or exit a location. Because linger signifies the act of staying or delaying a departure and leave signifies the act of departing, they are direct antonyms.

Explanation

Amnesia is a medical condition characterized by a deficit in memory, where an individual experiences the loss of memories, such as facts, information, and experiences. This condition can be temporary or permanent and is typically caused by damage to areas of the brain that are vital for memory processing, such as the limbic system. It can manifest as the inability to recall past events or the inability to create new memories following the onset of the condition.

Explanation

In negative comparisons of degree or quality, the standard grammatical construction is not so... as or not as... as. While as... as is used for both positive and negative comparisons, so... as is specifically preferred in negative sentences. The word like functions as a preposition rather than a conjunction in this context and cannot be used to complete the comparative structure. Thus, the phrase so friendly as correctly establishes the comparison between the two subjects.

Explanation

The word Stratagy is misspelled because the correct spelling is Strategy. It refers to a high-level plan or a method designed to achieve a long-term goal or overall aim, particularly in military, business, or political contexts. The term originates from the Greek word strategos, meaning a general, and correctly uses the letter e in the second syllable rather than an a.

Explanation

The sentence How many eggs were put into the basket? is grammatically sound in all its components. The quantifier phrase How many is correctly used to modify the plural countable noun eggs. The verb phrase were put represents a standard passive voice construction where the plural auxiliary verb were correctly agrees with the plural subject eggs, and put serves as the correct past participle form. Additionally, the preposition into is the appropriate choice to indicate the movement or placement of an object into a container or enclosed space. As the sentence follows all rules of subject-verb agreement and prepositional usage, it contains no grammatical errors.

Explanation

The sentence requires an adjective to modify the noun one, which refers back to the app. The word convenient is an adjective that describes something that is suitable for a particular purpose or easy to use without causing trouble or difficulties. In the context of online shopping, it characterizes the app as a tool that provides ease and saves time or effort for the user. Grammatically, the structure a very [adjective] one necessitates the adjectival form to complete the noun phrase.

Explanation

The phrase might as well is a standard idiomatic expression used to suggest that a particular action is the best or most reasonable choice because there are no better alternatives available. It follows the grammatical structure of subject + might as well + base form of the main verb. In the given sentence, watching a film is proposed as a sensible activity since there is nothing else to do. The usage is both contextually appropriate and grammatically sound, meaning the sentence requires no changes.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice using the simple past tense, identified by the structure were + past participle (rescued). When converting a simple past passive sentence into the active voice, the auxiliary verb is removed, and the main verb is used in its past tense form (V2). The agent of the action in the passive sentence (the firemen) becomes the subject of the active sentence, while the recipient of the action (all the inmates) becomes the object. Following the active voice structure of Subject + V2 + Object, the firemen rescued all the inmates from the building is the correct transformation.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the present perfect tense in the passive voice, following the structure Subject + have/has + been + past participle. To convert this into the active voice, the tense must remain consistent while shifting the focus back to the doer. The structure for the active voice in the present perfect tense is Subject + have/has + past participle + Object. In this case, since the agent is not mentioned in the passive sentence, the subject we is used. Changing have been displayed to have displayed correctly transforms the verb into its active form while maintaining the original meaning and timeframe.

Explanation

Introspection refers to the process of self-examination where an individual observes and analyzes their own thoughts, feelings, and mental states. The term is derived from the Latin intro, meaning inward, and specere, meaning to look. It is a fundamental psychological method used to gain insight into one's own conscious experiences and emotional processes through reflective self-observation.

Explanation

The idiom money does not grow on trees is used to warn someone that money is limited and not easily obtained, meaning it must be earned through effort. Option D correctly identifies that money is hard-earned and limited.

Explanation

The term powerful is the standard and most appropriate adjective used to describe engines that generate high levels of force, energy, or horsepower. In the context of a monster truck's mechanical capability, it signifies the engine's ability to perform work that requires immense strength, such as pulling a heavy load like a train coach. This choice correctly identifies the physical capacity of the machine to exert the necessary torque and power required for the task described in the sentence.

Explanation

The word redundant refers to something that is no longer needed or useful because it is in excess of what is required. It describes a state of being surplus to requirements or unnecessarily repetitive. Superfluous shares this exact meaning, describing something that is more than is sufficient, necessary, or desired. Both terms are used to indicate that a particular element or quantity is extra and can be removed without affecting the essential function or meaning of a whole.

Explanation

The word urge means to earnestly or persistently persuade someone to do something or to advocate strongly for a particular action. Similarly, an appeal refers to a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request made to someone, often to change a decision or to provide help. Both terms share the core meaning of making a pressing entreaty or calling for immediate attention and action, making them synonyms in the context of solicitation and persuasion.

Explanation

When converting an imperative sentence from direct to reported speech, the reporting verb said is replaced by a verb like told, ordered, or asked, followed immediately by the person addressed. In this sentence, Asif is the person being addressed, so he becomes the direct object of the verb told. The imperative verb go is changed into its infinitive form to go to connect the reporting clause with the reported command. Furthermore, the second-person possessive pronoun your must be updated to the third-person his to maintain grammatical consistency with the object Asif. Combining these rules, the reporting verb told is followed by the object Asif, the infinitive phrase to go and wash, and the corrected pronoun his.

Explanation

The idiom lie low means to keep a low profile or to stay hidden so as to avoid being noticed, caught, or harassed. It is typically used when someone wants to remain inconspicuous, often after committing a mistake or while waiting for a difficult situation to pass. The phrase evokes the imagery of physically staying close to the ground to remain out of the line of sight of others.

Explanation

The error lies in the segment no one was knowing. In English grammar, the verb know is a stative verb, which represents a state of mind rather than a physical action. Stative verbs are generally not used in the continuous or progressive tenses. Therefore, using the past continuous form was knowing is grammatically incorrect. In the context of the sentence, which is set in the past tense indicated by the verb asked, the simple past form knew should be used instead. The correct construction of the sentence is no one knew how the accident happened. Other examples of stative verbs that follow this rule include believe, understand, want, and remember.

Explanation

The term verbatim is derived from the Latin word verbum, meaning word. It functions as both an adverb and an adjective to describe something that is quoted, written, or recorded in exactly the same words as were used originally. In linguistic and legal contexts, it signifies a precise, word-for-word repetition or transcription without any changes, additions, or paraphrasing of the source material.

Explanation

In the context of traffic regulations and safety measures, the verb reduced is the standard idiomatic and technical term used when lowering the maximum allowed speed on a road. When authorities implement measures to slow down traffic for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, they officially reduce the speed limits. This term specifically describes the act of making a numerical value or a limit smaller in magnitude. The context of the passage, which discusses the implementation of cycle routes and the subsequent decline in accidents, confirms that the speed limits were lowered to enhance road safety.

Explanation

The phrase in operation is a standard idiomatic expression used to indicate that a system, law, or scheme is active and functioning. In the context of the passage, it describes how the Birmingham cycle route and speed limit scheme has been functional and in effect for the duration of one year. This colocation is the most precise way to denote the implementation and active status of a formal project or regulatory measure.

Explanation

The sentence requires an adjective in its positive degree to modify the noun success. The phrase a great success is a common idiomatic collocation used to describe a project or scheme that has been highly effective or well-received. The presence of the indefinite article a indicates that the noun phrase is singular and non-comparative, making the standard form of the adjective great the most grammatically appropriate choice to complete the description of the scheme's outcome.

Explanation

In the context of traffic laws and regulations, the term enforced is the most appropriate word to describe the application and monitoring of speed limits. It specifically means to ensure that a law or rule is obeyed by the public. When speed limits are enforced, authorities take active measures to make sure drivers comply with the established regulations, which is the logical preceding action for the observed reduction in accidents described in the passage.

Explanation

The sentence in this option is free of spelling errors as it correctly identifies the orthography of each complex word. Government is spelled with an n before the suffix ment, reflecting its root govern. Launched uses the correct au diphthong. Relatively is formed by adding the suffix ly to the adjective relative, maintaining the internal e. Extensive correctly uses the e vowel in the second syllable, derived from the root extend. Finally, aborigines is the standard spelling for the indigenous inhabitants of a region, featuring an i after the g and an e before the final s.

Explanation

The adverb drastically is used to describe a change that is very great, sudden, and has a significant impact. In the context of traffic safety statistics, it appropriately modifies the verb fallen to indicate a substantial and measurable reduction in the number of accidents following the implementation of new speed limits and cycle routes. This choice effectively conveys the degree of success attributed to the scheme by highlighting a sharp decline in incidents.

Explanation

The phrase close the deal is a standard idiomatic expression in business and formal English which means to bring a negotiation to a successful conclusion or to finalize an agreement. In this context, it indicates that the contingent reached a definitive and successful end to their bargaining process or project. This collocation is the most appropriate way to describe the act of completing a transaction or securing a contract after a period of discussion.

Explanation

The word modern refers to something that relates to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past. In the context of an experience, it signifies something that is contemporary, current, or up-to-date. The word new serves as a direct synonym in this sentence because it describes an experience that is fresh, recently originated, or being encountered for the first time. Both terms highlight the recency and novelty of the situation Rahul was in before he stepped onto the field.

Explanation

The error lies in the subject-verb agreement within the segment it don't matter to them. In English grammar, the pronoun it is a third-person singular subject. Third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) must be paired with the singular auxiliary verb does in the present tense. Consequently, the negative contraction should be doesn't (does not) rather than don't (do not). The contraction don't is only appropriate for use with I, you, we, and they. For the sentence to be grammatically correct, the auxiliary verb must agree with the singular subject it.

Explanation

Moral refers to the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. Ethical is its most direct synonym as it pertains to the system of moral principles or the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group. Both words are used to describe actions, motives, or characters that conform to accepted standards of right behavior.

Explanation

The idiom a skeleton in the cupboard refers to a shameful or embarrassing fact about a person or a family that is kept hidden from others to avoid scandal or loss of reputation. It suggests that if the secret were discovered, it would cause significant social disgrace. This expression is commonly used to describe private matters that individuals prefer to keep out of public knowledge due to their sensitive or disgraceful nature.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the subject "The rattlesnake," which is immediately followed by part R to provide the predicate "knows when to lie low" and the conjunction "because." Part P then introduces the explanatory clause "it has specialized Jacobson's." Part Q must follow P to complete the noun "Jacobson's organs" and ends with the adjective "heightened." Finally, part S completes the phrase "heightened sense of smell" and the purpose "to detect prey." This arrangement creates a logical flow where each segment grammatically connects to the next to explain the biological mechanism behind the snake's behavior.

Explanation

The word delectable is used to describe something that is highly pleasing to the senses, particularly taste or smell. It is synonymous with delicious, appetizing, or savory. In the given sentence, the fact that Margaret could not resist eating more pie despite having already finished a large meal indicates that the pie was exceptionally tasty and mouth-watering. This context aligns perfectly with the definition of delectable as something very pleasant to eat.

Explanation

Sentence P serves as the introductory sentence by defining the subject, honey ants, and describing their typical habitat in arid climates. Sentence S follows by narrowing the focus to a specific physiological phenomenon within the species, the living larders. Sentence Q provides further detail about these living larders, using the pronoun They to link back to the ants mentioned in S and identifying their place within the worker caste. Sentence R logically completes the paragraph by using the phrase Other castes to transition from workers to soldiers and the queen, thereby detailing the rest of the colonys social structure.

Explanation

The term bilingual is derived from the Latin prefix bi, meaning two, and the word lingual, which relates to tongues or languages. It specifically refers to an individual who has the ability to communicate fluently in two different languages.

Explanation

The phrasal verb given away means to donate or bestow something as a gift. In the context of the sentence, it correctly describes the act of distributing wealth and valuables to the poor for charitable purposes.