SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The error in the sentence is a matter of subject-verb agreement. The subject of the sentence is the singular noun phrase The contrast. The phrases between Britain and other countries and of Europe are prepositional phrases that act as modifiers and do not affect the number of the subject. In English grammar, a singular subject requires a singular verb. Consequently, the plural verb are must be replaced with the singular verb is to properly align with the subject contrast.

Explanation

The sentence describes an action that was in progress at a specific point in the past, which is indicated by the clause when I called you. In English grammar, the Past Continuous tense is used to denote an ongoing activity that was happening at the time another shorter action occurred. The construction for the Past Continuous in an interrogative sentence with the subject you requires the auxiliary verb were followed by the present participle form of the main verb. Therefore, were you watching is the grammatically correct substitution to indicate the continuous nature of the movie-watching at the moment of the phone call.

Explanation

The passage is a narrative story written in the past tense, as established by the use of the verbs were and said in the surrounding sentences. In English storytelling, the simple past tense is the standard form used to describe completed actions that move the plot forward. Therefore, the past tense form decided is the grammatically correct choice to indicate that the action of making a decision occurred in the past.

Explanation

The sentence requires an adjective to modify the noun farm, indicating its location relative to the characters. In English grammar, nearby functions as an attributive adjective meaning close at hand or not far away. It is used before a noun to specify proximity. In the context of the story, the characters intend to travel to a farm located close to the other side of the river, making nearby the most appropriate and grammatically correct choice to describe the farm.

Explanation

The passage is written in the past tense, established by verbs such as were and said. When describing a lack of ability or possibility in the past, the modal verb could not is used as the past tense form of cannot. In this context, the fox's inability to swim serves as the reason why the camel offered to carry him, making could not the grammatically and logically appropriate choice to maintain consistency with the narrative timeframe.

Explanation

The phrase climb up is used to describe the action of moving to a higher position or ascending. In the context of the passage, the camel is much taller than the small fox, requiring the fox to move vertically from the ground to reach the camel's back. Using the word up correctly indicates this upward direction of movement before the fox settles onto the camel.

Explanation

The verb incur means to become subject to something unwelcome or unpleasant as a result of one's own behavior or actions. In the context of the passage, road-raged drivers engage in aggressive driving behaviors that lead them to become liable for or subject to more traffic offences. Therefore, incur is the most appropriate word to describe the process of becoming responsible for these legal violations.

Explanation

The passage maintains narrative consistency by referring back to the specific body of water mentioned in the second sentence. The text states that the two friends decided to cross the river to reach a farm. When the camel offers to carry the fox, he refers to the same body of water they intended to cross at the start of their journey. Therefore, the word river is the only logically consistent choice to complete the sentence.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Present Perfect tense, which follows the active voice structure of Subject + has/have + V3 + Object. To convert this into the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the new subject, and the structure changes to Subject + has/have + been + V3 + by + Object. In this sentence, the object is all the plays of Shakespeare. Because this new subject is plural, the auxiliary verb have is used instead of has. Following the formula, been is added before the past participle read, and the active subject she is changed to its objective form her after the preposition by. This yields the correct passive form: All the plays of Shakespeare have been read by her.

Explanation

The word devious describes someone or something that is dishonest, indirect, or uses underhanded tactics to achieve a goal. It implies a lack of transparency and a tendency toward manipulation. In contrast, sincere refers to being genuine, honest, and free from pretense or deceit. Because sincerity involves being straightforward and truthful in one's intentions, it serves as the direct opposite of being devious.

Explanation

The term threshold refers to the piece of wood, stone, or metal that forms the bottom of a doorway and must be crossed when entering a house or room. It signifies the entrance, brink, or the point at which one enters a new space or begins a new stage. In architectural terms, it is the sill of a door. Therefore, doorway is the most appropriate synonym as it represents the passage or entrance where the threshold is situated, both marking the boundary and the point of entry into a structure.

Explanation

When converting an imperative sentence expressing a request into indirect speech, the reporting verb said to is changed to requested and the word please is removed. The comma and inverted commas are replaced by the infinitive to. Pronouns must change to reflect the perspective of the reporter; therefore, the first-person pronoun me, referring to Ritika, changes to the third-person feminine pronoun her. Additionally, the adverb of time now is converted to then to indicate the shift from direct to indirect narration. Following these rules, the sentence becomes Ritika requested her teacher to allow her to leave then.

Explanation

The term pillion refers to a seat or cushion placed behind the main saddle on a motorcycle or bicycle, specifically designed for a passenger. It is also used to describe the seat behind a rider on a horse. The word is derived from the Gaelic word pillin, meaning a small cushion or pad, which historically allowed a second person to ride along.

Explanation

The given sentence follows the structure of Subject + Modal + Base Verb + Object. When converting a sentence containing a modal verb like could into the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the new subject, followed by the modal verb, the auxiliary be, and the past participle form of the main verb. The verb put maintains the same form in its past participle state. Applying this rule, the object your money moves to the front, followed by could be put, resulting in the passive construction Your money could be put to good use.

Explanation

The error lies in the pluralization of the compound noun break-in. When a compound noun is formed from a verb and a preposition or adverb, the plural suffix -s is typically added to the end of the entire word rather than the verb component. Consequently, the correct plural form is break-ins. The usage of breaks-in is grammatically incorrect because the word functions as a single unit to describe the act of illegal entry, requiring the inflection at the end of the compound.

Explanation

The phrase for keep is grammatically incorrect because the preposition for must be followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) when used to express the purpose of an action. In this sentence, the infinitive of purpose to keep is required to correctly connect the command to take care with the intended objective. Alternatively, if the preposition for were to be used, it would necessitate the form keeping, although the infinitive to keep is the standard idiomatic construction for expressing intent or necessity following an imperative phrase like take care.

Explanation

The word is misspelled because it lacks the letter a after the letter g. The correct spelling is Diagonal, which refers to a straight line joining two opposite corners of a polygon or a straight line that goes from one corner to the opposite corner of a square or rectangle. The term is derived from the Greek word diagonios, where dia means through or across and gonia means angle.

Explanation

In English grammar, when a sentence refers to a future action and contains a main clause and a subordinate time clause (introduced by conjunctions like when, before, after, until, or as soon as), the main clause uses the future tense while the subordinate clause must be in the simple present tense. In the given sentence, the main clause I shall certainly write to you is in the future tense, so the subordinate clause introduced by when should use the simple present form I reach instead of the future form I shall reach.

Explanation

The term omniscient is derived from the Latin roots omnis, meaning all, and scientia, meaning knowledge. It is used to describe an entity or individual who possesses infinite awareness, universal understanding, and complete insight into all things, including thoughts and events across time.

Explanation

The word unrestrained describes something that is not controlled, restricted, or limited by social norms or personal inhibition. When applied to laughter, it indicates a loud, intense, or sudden outburst that lacks restraint. In the context of the sentence, this type of behavior explains why the guests were shocked, as such an uncontrolled display is often considered inappropriate or startling in a social setting. The adjective logically connects the nature of the laughter to the strong reaction of the people present.

Explanation

The idiom easy money refers to wealth or income that is acquired with very little effort or hard work. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the money was obtained through dishonest, unethical, or illegal means, such as gambling, scams, or bribery. In a financial context, it can also refer to money that is easily available for borrowing at low interest rates, but in common usage, it primarily describes the ease and potentially suspicious nature of the gain.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct in its original form. The subordinate clause While the online class was going on is in the past continuous tense, establishing a past time frame for the action. To maintain tense consistency, the main clause uses had to, which is the past tense form of the semi-modal have to, used to express obligation or necessity in the past. The verb keep is correctly used in its base form following the infinitive marker to. Because both parts of the sentence correctly reflect a continuous action and a simultaneous obligation in the past, no substitution is necessary.

Explanation

Perjury is the legal term for the act of willfully telling an untruth or making a misrepresentation while under a lawful oath or affirmation, typically in a court of law. It involves the deliberate provision of false testimony regarding a material fact. Falsehood describes an untrue statement or the act of lying, which directly corresponds to the deceptive nature of perjury.

Explanation

The idiom to bury the hatchet originates from a Native American tradition, specifically among the Iroquois, where leaders would literally bury their weapons to signify the conclusion of a war and the beginning of peace. In modern English, the phrase is used figuratively to describe the act of ending a conflict, disagreement, or long-standing grudge. It implies a reconciliation where both parties agree to stop fighting and move forward in a peaceful manner.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the adverb Nowadays and uses the present tense verb take, which establishes the context of the sentence in the present time. To maintain tense consistency throughout the sentence, the subordinate clause describing the governance of the people must also be in the present tense. The use of the past tense auxiliary verb were in the segment they were governed is grammatically incorrect in this context. It should be replaced with the present tense are to correctly express that common people today are interested in the manner in which they are currently being governed.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical chronological sequence beginning with Sentence D, which sets the scene by describing the preparations for the Amir's journey from Isfahan to Shiraz. Sentence C naturally follows as the next step in the narrative, depicting his arrival at the destination city. Once the Amir arrives, Sentence B describes the immediate social interaction where the host welcomes him. Finally, Sentence A provides a specific detail of this encounter, using the conjunction but to contrast the expected offer of rest with the host's actual invitation to go hunting, completing the coherent story arc.

Explanation

The segment can have been is grammatically incorrect because the modal verb can is used to express present ability or general possibility, whereas the sentence intends to reflect on a past situation. To express a past possibility, a criticism of past behavior, or a counterfactual situation, the modal could or should must be used followed by the perfect infinitive. Therefore, the phrase should be replaced with could have been or should have been. In English grammar, can have plus a past participle is not a standard construction for conveying past ability or missed opportunities.

Explanation

The sentence structure indicates a recurring or habitual action that occurs annually, as evidenced by the phrase every year. This context requires the use of the simple present tense. The subject of the relative clause is the debate, which is a third-person singular noun. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement in English, a singular subject requires a verb form ending in -s or -es in the simple present tense. The verb arises, which means to occur or happen, correctly matches the singular subject and the timeline of the passage.

Explanation

The passage focuses on the annual controversies surrounding the national sports awards. In blank (2), the word awards is the most logically consistent choice because it refers back to the specific honors mentioned in the opening sentence. The announcement of the winners of these national awards is the specific event that triggers the subsequent public debates and allegations of regionalism or bias described in the context of the paragraph.

Explanation

In administrative and political contexts, representations refer to formal statements, petitions, or written appeals submitted to an authority to express a grievance or urge a specific course of action. The passage describes the recurring controversy surrounding national sports awards and the subsequent lobbying or complaints directed at high-ranking officials. Making representations to the Sports Minister or Chief Ministers is the standard process through which athletes, coaches, or associations formally protest perceived biases or manipulations in the selection process. This term accurately captures the act of officially presenting one's case to government leadership to influence the outcome of the awards.

Explanation

The passage describes the recurring controversies and systemic flaws in the national sports awards process, specifically highlighting how external influences affect the selection. The word interventions is the most appropriate choice as it refers to the act of politicians interfering or meddling in the decision-making process to influence the outcome in favor of specific individuals. This aligns with the preceding mentions of bias, regionalism, and manipulations, which characterize the political pressure often applied to the sports ministry during the award season.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression part of the game refers to an expected or inevitable aspect of a specific activity or situation, particularly one that is routine or unpleasant. In the context of this passage, the author describes how lobbying, political pressure, and various manipulations have become predictable and recurring features of the national sports awards ceremony. By using this term, the text characterizes these controversies as a standard and anticipated fixture of the annual awards process.

Explanation

The term misappropriate is defined as the act of dishonestly or unfairly taking something, typically money or property, that belongs to another person or entity and using it for one's own purposes. The word is composed of the prefix mis-, meaning wrongly or badly, and the verb appropriate, which means to take something for one's own use, often without the owner's permission. In legal and formal contexts, it specifically describes the unauthorized and wrongful use of assets or funds that have been entrusted to someone.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is All the buses, which is a plural noun phrase. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a plural subject must be paired with a plural verb. The phrase were cancelled provides the plural auxiliary verb were, which correctly agrees with the plural subject buses. Additionally, this construction uses the passive voice to accurately reflect that the action of cancellation was performed on the buses, making the sentence grammatically correct and logically coherent.

Explanation

The word sober is defined as the state of not being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. In the context of alcohol consumption, it represents a state of mental and physical clarity. Consequently, the term drunk serves as its direct antonym, as it describes a person who has consumed enough alcohol to impair their physical and mental faculties. This pair forms a standard linguistic contrast regarding intoxication levels.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct as the subject Aarav's mother matches the singular verb speaks, and the adverb fluently correctly modifies the verb. No errors are present in any part of the sentence.

Explanation

The segment contains an idiomatic error involving the use of the preposition. In English, the standard expression used to describe the luxuries or amenities that make existence pleasant is comforts of life. The preposition of is used to indicate a relationship of belonging or association between the comforts and the life being lived. The preposition to is generally used to indicate direction, purpose, or a limit, which does not fit the intended meaning of describing the various facilities or enjoyments associated with one's lifestyle. Therefore, the phrase must be corrected to the comforts of life to be grammatically and idiomatically sound.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple present tense, as indicated by the verb rely. To convert a simple present active sentence into the passive voice, the structure used is: subject + am/is/are + past participle of the main verb + by + agent. Here, the object of the prepositional phrase camouflage becomes the new subject. Since camouflage is a singular uncountable noun, it takes the singular auxiliary verb is. The past participle of rely is relied, and it must be followed by the fixed preposition on to maintain the phrasal verb's meaning. The original subject most lizards is then introduced by the preposition by. This yields the correct passive construction: Camouflage is relied on by most lizards to hide from their enemies.

Explanation

The term insoluble refers to a problem, difficulty, or mystery that is impossible to solve or explain. It originates from the Latin prefix in-, meaning not, and solvere, meaning to loosen or solve. While often used in scientific contexts to describe substances that cannot be dissolved in a liquid, its standard application in linguistics and logic pertains to intellectual or practical challenges for which no solution, resolution, or answer can be found.

Explanation

The paragraph begins with sentence C, which introduces the core subject, the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative, and specifies its launch date of 31st October 2015. Sentence A follows logically because the pronoun It refers back to the launch date mentioned in C, providing the historical context that the event coincided with the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sentence B then explains the functional aspect of the initiative, describing how it serves as an innovative measure to share the traditions and culture of different states. Finally, sentence D provides the concluding result of the process described in B, stating that this sharing of knowledge will lead to enhanced national integration and bonding.

Explanation

The segment contains a grammatical error in the use of the verb form within a passive voice construction. In the clause human beings were govern by robots, the verb govern is used in its base form following the auxiliary verb were. To correctly form the passive voice, which indicates that the subject is receiving the action, the past participle form of the main verb must be used. Therefore, the verb govern should be replaced with its past participle form governed to ensure grammatical accuracy within the conditional sentence structure.

Explanation

The idiom to fight shy of means to deliberately avoid or keep away from something or someone. It is typically used when an individual feels reluctant, suspicious, or lacks the confidence to engage with a particular situation or person. The phrase suggests a proactive effort to evade a task or responsibility that one finds unpleasant or intimidating, thereby maintaining a safe distance from it.

Explanation

The adverb occasionally means at infrequent or irregular intervals or from time to time. In the context of an online lesson, it is a logical and pedagogical practice for a teacher to pause the flow of instruction at various intervals to ensure that students are keeping up with the material and understanding the concepts being presented. This frequency allows for necessary interaction without completely disrupting the lesson.

Explanation

The word amass is derived from the Old French amasser, meaning to heap up or pile together. It specifically refers to the process of accumulating, collecting, or heaping up a large quantity of something, such as wealth, information, or objects, over a period of time. Gather is the most appropriate synonym as it similarly describes the action of bringing together disparate items or people from various places into a single group, collection, or location. Both terms convey the central idea of assembly and accumulation.

Explanation

The word authentic is defined as being of undisputed origin, genuine, or reliable, signifying that something is trustworthy and based on fact. An antonym for this term must describe something that lacks these qualities or is difficult to believe. The word incredible, in its literal sense, means not credible or beyond belief, directly opposing the trustworthiness and factual certainty associated with being authentic. Thus, it serves as the most appropriate antonym in this context.

Explanation

The word relay means to receive and pass on information, messages, or signals to another person or place. Its core concept involves transmission and movement. Conversely, hold means to keep, retain, or restrain something, preventing it from being passed on or released. Therefore, hold is the most appropriate antonym because it represents the act of keeping something in one place rather than transmitting it.

Explanation

The error lies in the incorrect use of the preposition on after the verb resulted. In English grammar, the verb result is idiomatically followed by the preposition in when it is used to describe a consequence, outcome, or effect. The standard phrasal verb is result in, which links a cause to its effect. Therefore, the phrase should be corrected to has resulted in achieving to properly convey that the expansion of irrigated areas led to the successful outcome of record food grain production.

Explanation

The exclamation Bravo expresses joy and approval, which is correctly rendered in indirect speech using the reporting phrase shouted in joy. In exclamatory sentences, the conjunction that is used to connect the reporting verb to the reported clause. The phrase Well done is an elliptical expression meaning You have done well or It was done well. According to the rules of backshifting in indirect speech, the implied present perfect tense is changed to the past perfect tense, resulting in the construction they had done well.

Explanation

The sentence structure It is time + to-infinitive + object follows a specific grammatical rule for passive voice conversion. The standard passive construction for this pattern is: It is time + for + object + to be + V3 (past participle).

In the active sentence It is time to revise the syllabi, the verb is to revise and the object is the syllabi. To convert it, the phrase It is time is kept as the starting point. The preposition for is then introduced to lead the object the syllabi. Finally, the active infinitive to revise is transformed into the passive infinitive to be revised. This transformation correctly shifts the focus to the object while maintaining the original tense and meaning.

Explanation

The expression human right to live with dignity is a standard legal and ethical phrase recognized globally. It signifies the inherent worth and respect that every human being deserves regardless of their background. This concept is central to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which asserts that all individuals are born free and equal in dignity. In a socio-political context, living with dignity encompasses the right to be free from humiliation, the right to basic necessities, and the right to be treated with honor and respect in all aspects of life.