SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Cacophony refers to a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds that are often loud and disorganized. It represents the lack of musical agreement or coordination. Harmony is the most suitable antonym because it describes a pleasing combination of different sounds or musical notes that work together in a systematic and balanced manner. In the context of a concert where instruments are playing in synchronization, the resulting sound is unified and concordant, which characterizes the state of harmony.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the time reference Back in April, which is logically followed by part R, I was visiting family in South Carolina, to establish the primary subject and setting. Part S, and my brother and I spent, uses the coordinating conjunction and to introduce a second subject and action performed during that visit. Part P, an afternoon walking around, acts as the direct object of the verb spent, describing how the time was used. Finally, part Q, the Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve, functions as the object of the phrasal verb walking around, specifying the location of the activity. The sequence RSPQ forms a grammatically complete and coherent chronological narrative.

Explanation

In the given sentence, the word forgot is a verb that requires an adverb to modify it and indicate the degree to which the action occurred. An adverb is a part of speech used to provide more information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. The word completely is the adverbial form of the adjective complete, formed by adding the suffix -ly. By using completely, the sentence correctly expresses that the birthday was forgotten entirely or totally, providing the necessary modification to the verb to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity of meaning.

Explanation

The word forbids in the indirect sentence indicates a prohibition or a negative command. When converting this to direct speech, the sense of prohibition is expressed through negative imperatives such as Never or Do not. The use of the indefinite possessive pronoun one's in indirect speech generally translates to the second-person possessive your in direct speech to address the listener or people in general. Therefore, the direct statement My teacher says, "Never trust your relatives" correctly conveys the meaning of the original sentence.

Explanation

The word repulsive is used to describe something that causes intense distaste, disgust, or strong aversion. It characterizes things that are extremely unattractive or offensive to the senses or mind. In contrast, pleasant refers to something that gives a sense of happy satisfaction, enjoyment, or agreeableness. Since pleasant denotes a quality that is appealing and evokes positive feelings, it serves as the direct antonym to a word signifying something that is inherently off-putting or disgusting.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Past Continuous tense, which follows the structure: Subject + was/were + present participle (V-ing) + object. To convert a sentence in the Past Continuous tense into passive voice, the construction used is: Object + was/were + being + past participle (V3) + by + subject.

In this case, the object a letter is singular, so it takes the auxiliary verb was. The continuous aspect is maintained by adding being, followed by the past participle of write, which is written. The original subject Sudha becomes the agent introduced by the preposition by. Following this rule, the sentence becomes: A letter was being written by Sudha to her husband.

Explanation

The word tiny is defined as being very small or minute in size, amount, or degree. It serves as a direct one-word substitute for the phrase something that is very small or little, often used to describe physical objects, living creatures, or quantities that are significantly below the standard or expected size.

Explanation

The phrasal verb break out means to start suddenly, and it is specifically used to describe the beginning of unpleasant or dangerous events like fires, wars, or epidemics. In the context of the sentence, broke out is the grammatically correct past tense form to describe the sudden start of the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Explanation

In the context of a natural or accidental disaster such as the Great Fire of London, the verb destroyed is the most appropriate choice to describe the extensive damage caused to the city. To destroy means to damage something so severely that it no longer exists or can no longer function. Since the fire resulted in widespread ruin and left a significant portion of the population homeless, it effectively wiped out large sections of the urban infrastructure, making destroyed the most logically and collocationally fitting term for the impact of a fire on a city.

Explanation

In the context of describing the movement of a fire, the verb swept is the most appropriate choice to indicate a rapid, forceful, and widespread progression. During the Great Fire of London in 1666, the flames moved quickly through the densely packed wooden structures and narrow, crowded streets, consuming everything in their path. The expression swept through effectively conveys the speed and overwhelming nature of the disaster as it travelled across the urban landscape.

Explanation

The context of the passage describes the physical reconstruction of London following the catastrophic damage caused by the Great Fire of 1666. When a city, structure, or building has been destroyed and is subsequently constructed again, the term rebuilt is the most grammatically and contextually appropriate choice. The sentence specifies that the city was created anew with structural changes like wider streets and improved infrastructure, which directly aligns with the definition of building something again after its destruction.

Explanation

The verb erected is specifically used in the context of construction and architecture to mean the physical building or raising of a structure, such as a house, wall, or monument. In the context of the passage, it describes the process of rebuilding London by constructing new brick edifices to replace the wooden ones destroyed by the fire.

Explanation

The passive sentence uses the negative modal construction can't be switched off. When converting to the active voice, the agent my father moves to the subject position. The modal verb can't is preserved to maintain the original tense and meaning. The passive auxiliary be is removed, and the past participle switched off is changed to the base form switch off. The original subject her phone then functions as the direct object. This transformation results in the active structure where the subject performs the action directly upon the object.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression from the general hydrological characteristics of the lake to specific historical details. Sentence P introduces Wular Lake and identifies its primary water source, the River Jhelum. Sentence R builds on this introduction by using the demonstrative phrase "This lake" to mention the small island, Zaina Lank, located in its centre. Sentence S follows R directly because it uses the phrase "This island" to provide historical context regarding the island's construction by King Zainul-Abi-Din. Finally, sentence Q adds a broader historical fact about the lake being a remnant of the ancient Satisar Lake, with the word "also" serving to include this as supplementary information to the previous descriptions.

Explanation

The phrase young teenagers is the most appropriate substitution because it logically describes a group of individuals capable of beginning a job like babysitting. The original term infant is semantically incompatible with teenager as they refer to distinct and non-overlapping stages of human development. Additionally, the presence of the plural relative pronoun who followed by the plural verb are requires the preceding noun to be in its plural form. The adjective young correctly modifies the plural noun teenagers to indicate the specific demographic intended by the sentence.

Explanation

Forgery is the criminal act of producing, altering, or falsifying documents, signatures, or other instruments of value with the intent to defraud or deceive others. It specifically refers to the creation of a fake document or the unauthorized imitation of someone else signature to make a document appear authentic or legally binding. In legal terms, forgery involves the fabrication of a false written statement that has legal significance, such as a check, contract, or identification paper, ensuring the fraudulent document is accepted as genuine.

Explanation

The prepositional phrase in the surface is grammatically incorrect because the preposition in does not collocate with the word surface in this context. The surface refers to the outermost layer or boundary of a physical object. In English, we use the preposition on to describe something situated at that top layer, or below and under to describe something situated beneath it. Since the sentence specifies that the minerals are located just below you, the appropriate phrasing is below the surface or under the surface. The use of in fails to correctly indicate the spatial relationship between the precious items and the top layer of the ground.

Explanation

The sentence sequence BACD forms a coherent paragraph by moving from a general introduction to specific details and recognition. Sentence B serves as the opening statement as it introduces the primary subject, India, and its defining characteristic of cultural and linguistic diversity. Sentence A follows logically by narrowing the focus to how this rich heritage can be observed through monuments and historical sites. Sentence C then uses the demonstrative phrase These monuments and historical sites to directly link back to the locations mentioned in sentence A, explaining their symbolic role in representing the diversity introduced in the first sentence. Finally, sentence D provides a specific concluding fact regarding the international recognition of these sites by the UN. This arrangement ensures that each sentence builds upon the information provided in the previous one through clear thematic and linguistic transitions.

Explanation

When converting indirect speech to direct speech, the past perfect tense (had persuaded) typically reverts to the simple past tense (did persuade). The reporting verb asked indicates a past action, which remains consistent in the direct form. In this transformation, the pronoun I in the indirect statement refers to the listener (me), so it becomes you in direct speech. Similarly, the possessive pronoun his refers to the speaker (Shyam), so it changes to my in the direct quote. The structure How did you persuade my sister? correctly follows the interrogative form required for direct speech.

Explanation

The phrase apart from generating requires an object to complete the prepositional phrase, which is provided by real income for players in part P. This part concludes with the term play-to-earn, which functions as an adjective modifying the noun games at the start of part Q. The main clause then states that these games also create communities. Part R begins with the relative pronoun where, which correctly refers back to communities to introduce a subordinate clause describing what happens within them. Finally, part S provides the direct object wisdom for the verb share found at the end of part R and completes the coordinate structure of activities that gamers and creators perform. This sequence creates a grammatically cohesive and logically sound sentence.

Explanation

When converting direct speech into indirect speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense like said to, the tense of the reported speech must undergo a backshift. In this sentence, the present continuous tense am studying changes to the past continuous tense was studying. Additionally, the first-person pronoun I changes to the third-person pronoun she to agree with the subject Farah. The reporting verb said to is replaced by told because it is followed by an object, her aunt, and the conjunction that is used to introduce the reported clause.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Simple Past tense, as indicated by the verb welcomed. To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the Simple Past tense, the structure Object + was/were + past participle (V3) + by + Subject is used. In this case, the object Jane and Karan is plural, which necessitates the use of the auxiliary verb were followed by the past participle welcomed.

Explanation

In the context of physical objects like clothing, the word old refers to items that have been used for a long time or are no longer in their original, unused state. The word new is the direct antonym used to describe items that have recently been manufactured or have not yet been used, providing the exact opposite meaning to old when discussing the condition of garments.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Present Perfect Tense and follows the interrogative structure: Has/Have + Subject + V3 + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the structure changes to: Has/Have + Object + been + V3 + by + Subject. In this case, the object the record becomes the new subject, and since it is singular, it is preceded by the auxiliary verb Has. The passive auxiliary been is added before the past participle completed, and the active subject she changes to its objective form her following the preposition by.

Explanation

The verb fight is used with the preposition for when indicating the goal, prize, or purpose of a struggle. In this sentence, the crown represents the object being contested. This usage is also consistent with the traditional English nursery rhyme which describes the heraldic symbols of England and Scotland contending for sovereignty. Thus, for correctly establishes the relationship between the action of fighting and the objective of that action.

Explanation

The context of the sentence involves preparing a liquid mixture for medicinal use by mixing a solid substance like salt into a liquid like water. The term dissolve specifically refers to the process where a solute, such as salt, incorporates into a solvent, such as water, to form a solution. This is the standard terminology used in recipes, medical instructions, and chemistry to describe the action of making a solid substance integrate into a liquid to create a uniform mixture.

Explanation

The verb give is the standard linguistic collocation used with the uncountable noun advice when an individual provides suggestions, guidance, or information to someone else. In an educational context, a teacher typically gives advice to students to help them improve their performance or prepare for tasks such as a board exam. The phrase to give advice is the most common and idiomatically appropriate way to describe the act of imparting helpful recommendations in English.

Explanation

The word inoculation is the most critical component of this sentence regarding spelling accuracy. It is derived from the verb inoculate, which stems from the Latin inoculare, meaning to graft or implant. In standard English orthography, the correct spelling is i-n-o-c-u-l-a-t-i-o-n, featuring a single n and a single l. This word is frequently misspelled by doubling the n or the l, but the version in this sentence adheres to the correct dictionary spelling. All other words in the sentence, including India, largest, drive, and Covid, are also spelled correctly according to established conventions.

Explanation

A catalogue refers to a complete and systematic list of items, such as books in a library, goods for sale in a shop, or informative graphics in an exhibition. It is designed to provide a comprehensive record or directory, often arranged in alphabetical or thematic order, to help users locate or identify specific entries within a larger collection.

Explanation

The word indispensable refers to something that is absolutely necessary, essential, or vital, such that it cannot be done without. In the context of the sentence, it describes technology as a fundamental part of modern life. The word superfluous means unnecessary, redundant, or being more than is required. Since it describes something that is not needed and can be easily omitted, it serves as the direct antonym to indispensable.

Explanation

The idiom slow and steady is derived from the well-known proverb slow and steady wins the race. It signifies the importance of consistency, persistence, and reliability over mere speed or sporadic effort. In the context of achieving success, making consistent progress means maintaining a regular and unwavering pace, which is the precise definition of being slow and steady. This phrase emphasizes that long-term goals are achieved through continuous and dependable advancement rather than through inconsistent bursts of activity.

Explanation

The idiom ins and outs refers to the intricate details, complexities, and specific characteristics of a situation, process, or system. It signifies a comprehensive understanding of all the facts and the internal workings of a subject. In the given context, the intern desires to learn every specific detail and the full operational procedure of the institution's systems, making detailed description the most suitable meaning for the expression.

Explanation

The word eccentric is used to describe a person whose behavior or mannerisms are unconventional, irregular, or slightly strange. In the context of the sentence, an eccentric genius refers to a highly talented individual who possesses unusual or odd traits. Peculiar is the most appropriate synonym as it specifically defines something or someone that is different from what is normal or expected, carrying the same connotation of being strange or odd.

Explanation

The word incoherent refers to something that is lacking clarity, logic, or a consistent connection between parts, often describing speech or writing that is disjointed and difficult to understand. Its most appropriate antonym is rational, which describes something characterized by sound judgment, logic, and reasoning. While an incoherent statement is muddled and illogical, a rational one is clear, sensible, and follows a structured thought process.

Explanation

The word declined means to refuse an offer or invitation politely. Among the choices, rejected is the most accurate synonym as it also means to refuse to accept or consider something.

Explanation

The word continuous is derived from the Latin continuus, which means unbroken or uninterrupted. In English orthography, adjectives that end in the sound /juəs/ and are derived from roots ending in u typically use the suffix -uous. This results in the specific spelling sequence of the vowels u-o-u. The error commonly found in this word is the omission of the first u, leading to the misspelled form continous. Selecting the correct spelling with both vowels accurately represents the phonetic and etymological structure of the word.

Explanation

In the context of avian biology, feather coloration is primarily derived from two sources: chemical pigments and physical structures. Pigments are microscopic natural colorants incorporated into the feathers that absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others to produce specific hues. The passage establishes a contrast between this chemical method of coloration and iridescence, which is a structural effect caused by the refraction of light through the microscopic arrangement of feather layers. Since the sentence specifies that the color is not caused by the material substance but by the physical arrangement, pigment is the logically correct term to describe the chemical alternative to structural iridescence.

Explanation

The sentence discusses how various external conditions such as light levels, moisture, and the angle of observation affect the perceived quality of a hummingbird's iridescent feathers. The verb influence is the most appropriate choice because it denotes the capacity of these factors to have an effect on the character or appearance of the bird's throat coloring, determining the specific intensity and shade visible at any given moment.

Explanation

The context of the passage discusses evolutionary adaptations that enhance the hummingbird's ability to fly. In biology, structural changes such as the reduction of weight through smaller feet serve to optimize energy usage and performance. The term efficient is the most appropriate choice because it describes the ability to achieve maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. By being lighter, the bird can fly with greater agility and less energy expenditure, making its flight more streamlined and effective for its survival needs.

Explanation

The word Mortifield is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Mortified, which is the past tense or past participle of the verb mortify, meaning to cause someone to feel very embarrassed or ashamed. In English spelling rules, when a verb ends in a consonant followed by the letter y, such as mortify, the y is changed to i before adding the suffix ed. The addition of the letter l in the provided option is an error that does not exist in the standard spelling of the word.

Explanation

An abridgement is a condensed or shortened version of a book, speech, or other literary work that retains the essential elements and core meaning of the original text. It involves reducing the length of a larger work by removing peripheral details or repetitive sections while preserving the primary narrative, argument, or structure. This term is specifically used to describe a modified edition of a complete work that has been streamlined for brevity or accessibility.

Explanation

In the given sentence, the word must modify the verb phrase had been built to describe the manner or certainty of the action. To modify a verb, an adverbial form is required. The adjective obvious is transformed into an adverb by adding the suffix -ly, resulting in obviously. This adverb correctly functions to indicate that the fact of the room being built later was clearly evident or manifest to the observer.

Explanation

In English, a collocation refers to a group of words that naturally and frequently occur together. The term quick shower is a standard idiomatic expression used to describe the act of bathing rapidly due to a lack of time. Adjectives like quick are typically paired with brief activities such as a meal, a look, or a nap to indicate they are being performed at a faster pace or for a shorter duration than usual.

Explanation

The word clouding is used metaphorically to describe a state where something becomes unclear, obscured, or heavy, similar to how actual clouds block sunlight. In the context of the mind, negative and toxic thoughts act as an obstruction that prevents clarity and prevents one from seeing things in a positive light. The expression to cloud the mind or to cloud ones judgment is a standard English idiom used to indicate that a persons ability to think clearly or rationally is being hampered by internal or external factors.

Explanation

Exaltation refers to a state of extreme happiness, intense joy, or elation. It describes a feeling of being uplifted or triumphant, often associated with a sense of greatness or spiritual bliss. Ecstasy is a direct synonym as it also denotes an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement. Both terms convey a heightened emotional state that goes beyond ordinary satisfaction or contentment, representing the peak of emotional well-being and rapture.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the passive voice of the past continuous tense, characterized by the form was/were + being + past participle. To convert it into the active voice, the agent performing the action (a few men) becomes the subject, and the recipient of the action (the wounded man) becomes the object. The verb phrase must change to the active past continuous form, which is was/were + V-ing. Given that the subject (a few men) is plural, the verb were helping is used to maintain the correct tense and subject-verb agreement.

Explanation

The noun stretch refers to a continuous area or a long, expansive section of land, water, or road. In the context of transportation and geography, it is the standard term used to describe a specific length or part of a highway. The sentence depicts a driver looking into the rearview mirror and seeing the long, continuous expanse of the road behind him, making this the most linguistically appropriate choice to define a section of a highway.

Explanation

In the context of the sentence, knowledge refers to the intellectual understanding, facts, and insights gained through experience or education. Wisdom is the most appropriate synonym because it encompasses the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment, particularly in a way that improves one's perspective on life. When discussing the pursuit of a sweeter and happier life, the term implies an enlightened state of mind and the practical application of learning, which is a core aspect of wisdom. Both terms represent the cognitive and spiritual growth that results from learning and understanding the world.

Explanation

In English grammar, the relative pronoun who is used to refer to people when the pronoun functions as the subject of the relative clause. In this sentence, who refers to the antecedent the man and acts as the subject for the verb that follows. Since the man is a singular noun, it requires the singular past tense verb was to maintain proper subject-verb agreement. This construction correctly identifies the person being discussed while ensuring grammatical harmony between the subject and the predicate.

Explanation

The word mobile is defined as being able to move or be moved freely or easily, or characterized by the ability to change position or location. In the given sentence, the word standing describes the TV reporter as being in an upright position and remaining in a fixed spot. Because standing implies a lack of motion and a stationary state at a particular point, it acts as the direct opposite or antonym of mobile.