SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The sentence utilizes the reciprocal pronoun each other to indicate a mutual action occurring among the members of the group referred to by the subject They. The inclusion of each immediately following the subject serves as a distributive pronoun, emphasizing that every individual within that group performed the action of listening. In this grammatical structure, each other correctly identifies the recipients of the action in a reciprocal manner, showing that the listening was shared among all parties involved. Because the original phrasing conforms to standard English usage for describing mutual interaction within a group, the sentence is grammatically sound.

Explanation

The idiom keep someone at arm's length means to avoid becoming too friendly or close with someone. It implies maintaining a deliberate social or emotional distance to prevent intimacy, often due to a lack of trust or a desire to keep a relationship strictly professional and detached. The phrase originates from the physical act of holding someone away by the length of one's arm to prevent them from getting close to one's body.

Explanation

In the context of professional communication and business transactions, listening is a fundamental skill required for the effective exchange of information. The passage highlights that listening allows a person to gather accurate data and understand matters with clarity, which establishes it as an important and meaningful part of the interactive process. The term significant appropriately characterizes this essential and influential role that listening serves in ensuring successful business outcomes.

Explanation

In the context of business transactions and effective listening, the objective of gathering information is to ensure complete understanding. The sentence specifies that the information helps a person understand the matter with clarity. Accurate information refers to data that is correct, precise, and free from errors. When combined with proper listening, accuracy ensures that there is no ambiguity, which is essential for making informed decisions or conducting successful transactions. Therefore, accurate is the most logically fitting descriptor for information that leads to clear comprehension.

Explanation

Effective listening in a business environment requires the listener to be receptive to both the person delivering the message and the subject matter itself. Having a positive attitude towards the topic ensures that the listener remains engaged and open-minded, preventing personal biases or lack of interest from obstructing the clear acquisition of information. Since the goal mentioned in the preceding sentence is to understand the matter with clarity, focusing on the specific subject or topic of the conversation is essential for a successful interactive process.

Explanation

The context of the passage focuses on the active and effective process of listening within business transactions. To gather information and understand a matter with clarity, a listener must focus their mental effort and attention on the speaker's message. The verb concentrate signifies this directed attention and is grammatically followed by the preposition on, making it the most appropriate fit for the phrase concentrate on what is being spoken.

Explanation

In the process of active listening and business communication, evaluating information requires an understanding of the background and the specific circumstances surrounding the message. Context refers to the framework or environment in which a statement is made, which is essential for determining the true meaning and relevance of what is being spoken. Therefore, evaluating information with reference to the context ensures that the listener interprets the message accurately within the intended situational constraints.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement by identifying the primary subject, the Midday Meal Scheme, and establishing its general purpose. Sentence C provides a factual elaboration on the scale of the scheme, using the demonstrative phrase this welfare program to refer back to the subject introduced in B. Sentence D introduces the Government's current administrative initiative to take stock of the implementation of the program. Finally, sentence A follows D because the pronoun It and the connective adverb also directly refer back to the Government and its intentions stated in sentence D, detailing the specific qualitative outcomes regarding student nutrition and health that the authorities wish to assess.

Explanation

The grammatical rule for the structure one of the requires it to be followed by a plural noun. This construction is used to identify a single member out of a larger group or category. In the given sentence, the noun creation is singular, which is grammatically incorrect in this context. It must be replaced with the plural form creations to correctly indicate that the Taj Mahal is one among the many beautiful things created in the world.

Explanation

The word spacious describes a place that has ample room or is vast in scale, allowing for freedom of movement. Its antonym, cramped, refers to a space that is uncomfortably small, restricted, or crowded, directly opposing the idea of having plenty of room.

Explanation

The word obstruct means to impede, hinder, or get in the way of progress or movement. Similarly, block refers to the act of obstructing a path or preventing something from passing through or continuing. Both terms describe the action of creating an obstacle or barrier, making them direct synonyms in English usage.

Explanation

The given sentence is an imperative sentence expressing a command. The standard grammatical rule for converting an active imperative sentence into passive voice follows the structure: Let + Object + be + Past Participle (V3). In this instance, the word arrest serves as the verb and the thief is the object. Applying the formula, the object the thief is placed after let, followed by the auxiliary verb be and the past participle form of the main verb, which is arrested. This transformation results in the sentence: Let the thief be arrested.

Explanation

The word commute originates from the Latin term commutare, which means to change, alter, or exchange. In a broad linguistic and legal context, to commute means to substitute one thing for another or to change the form of a judicial sentence or a financial obligation. Consequently, convert is the most appropriate synonym as it specifically denotes the act of changing something from one form, state, or character into another. This shared meaning of transformation and substitution aligns both words when describing the process of modification or exchange.

Explanation

In English grammar, the question tag for a positive statement starting with I am is conventionally aren't I. While the verb am is used in the main clause, the negative tag form amn't is not standard in English. Therefore, aren't I serves as the grammatically accepted irregular tag to seek confirmation for a first-person singular affirmative statement.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the preposition since. In English grammar, since is used to indicate a specific point in time when an action started, such as since morning or since 2010. For a duration or period of time, the preposition for must be used. Because two days represents a span of time rather than a specific starting point, the correct phrase should be for two days.

Explanation

The sentence refers to a past belief held during the olden days. In English grammar, the semi-modal verb used to is specifically employed to describe habits, states, or repeated actions in the past that no longer occur in the present. The structure requires the past tense form used followed by the infinitive marker to and the base form of the main verb think. Using use to in this context is grammatically incorrect because it lacks the necessary past tense inflection required by the temporal context of the sentence.

Explanation

The segment carry milk is grammatically incorrect because it uses the base form of the verb in a context that requires a participle. In this sentence, the action of bringing milk happens simultaneously with the subject returning. When a secondary action describes the circumstances or the state of the subject during the main action, a present participle (-ing form) must be used. Therefore, carry should be changed to carrying to properly function as a participle modifying the verb returned or describing the subject she.

Explanation

The sentence correctly utilizes the emphatic structure Such + be + noun phrase + that-clause to highlight the degree or quality of an action. In this construction, Such functions as a demonstrative pronoun that emphasizes the nature of the performance, while the correlative conjunction that introduces the resulting consequence. This inverted grammatical pattern is a standard way to express that the intensity of the subject was so great that it produced a specific effect, which in this case was the audience giving a standing ovation.

Explanation

The term pedestrian refers to an individual who travels on foot rather than using a vehicle or other means of transportation. This word is derived from the Latin term pedester, meaning going on foot, which itself comes from the Latin word pes, meaning foot. In modern English, it is the standard one-word substitute for anyone engaged in walking, jogging, or running along roads, sidewalks, or designated paths. The term is widely used in urban planning and traffic safety to distinguish people moving by their own physical power from those in motorized or animal-drawn transport.

Explanation

An annuity refers to a fixed sum of money that is paid to a recipient at regular intervals, specifically once every year. The term originates from the Latin word annus, which translates to year. This arrangement is commonly used in insurance and retirement planning, where an individual receives a predetermined annual payment either for a set period or for the remainder of their lifetime in exchange for an initial lump-sum investment.

Explanation

The sentence is in the Present Continuous tense, which follows the structure: Subject + am/is/are + V-ing + Object. To convert this into the passive voice, the standard grammatical formula is: Object + am/is/are + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject. In this case, the object hard work is singular, so it is followed by the auxiliary verb is, the progressive marker being, and the past participle of do, which is done. This results in the construction: Hard work is being done by the children.

Explanation

When converting a direct interrogative sentence starting with a Wh-word into indirect speech, the reporting verb said is changed to asked. The Wh-word what itself acts as the connector, so no external conjunction like that is used. Crucially, the sentence structure changes from interrogative to assertive, meaning the subject Sonia is placed before the verb. Additionally, because the reporting verb is in the past tense, the present continuous is saying is shifted to the past continuous was saying. These steps result in the construction Rohit asked what Sonia was saying.

Explanation

The sentence contains an idiomatic error in the phrase at the best of her ability. The correct standard expression is to the best of one's ability, requiring the preposition to instead of at.

Explanation

The idiom sticky fingers refers to a person who has a propensity for theft, particularly shoplifting or stealing small sums of money. The expression conveys the idea that objects have a tendency to stick to the individual's hands as they pass by, metaphorically describing an impulsive or habitual inclination to steal.

Explanation

The idiom green horn refers to a person who is new to a particular activity, trade, or profession and therefore lacks experience. It originates from the 15th-century practice of describing young animals with new, undeveloped horns as green. In a professional context, it signifies a novice or a beginner who is still in the learning phase of their career. The sentence suggests that although the electrician is currently inexperienced, they possess the potential to acquire the necessary skills quickly.

Explanation

The word altercation refers to a noisy or heated argument, disagreement, or public dispute between people. Its antonym must represent a state of harmony or mutual understanding. Agreement signifies a condition where people share the same opinion or reach a consensus, directly opposing the conflict and discord implied by an altercation.

Explanation

The word uncertainty is the most appropriate fit because it aligns with the parallel term confusion joined by the conjunction and. The sentence establishes a cause-and-effect relationship where the lack of clarity in human goals leads to a state of being unsure or doubtful about the future. Uncertainty describes this state of having limited knowledge or predictability, which directly complements the sense of confusion mentioned in the passage.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is Each person. In English grammar, the word each is a distributive pronoun that is always considered singular. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject must be followed by a singular verb form. In the simple present tense, the singular form of the verb want is created by adding the suffix -s, resulting in wants. This matches the third-person singular requirement for the subject Each person to express a general fact or state.

Explanation

The context of the passage highlights a selfish or individualistic approach to life that leads to confusion and a loss of happiness. In the sentence provided, the author is describing how individuals focus solely on their own desires. The phrase without considering the interest of the other accurately reflects the idea that people are pursuing their personal goals while failing to take into account or give thought to how their actions affect others. This lack of consideration for the well-being of others is presented as the reason why the higher objective of happiness is lost.

Explanation

The passage describes a scenario where individuals focus exclusively on their own desires and dreams while ignoring the interests of others. In this context, a selfish motive refers to an orientation where one is concerned primarily with one's own profit or pleasure. Such a self-centered approach causes an individual to lose sight of the higher objective of attaining genuine happiness, which often involves a broader, more inclusive perspective. The word selfish perfectly captures the negative, individualistic drive mentioned in the preceding sentence.

Explanation

The passage describes a state of modern life marked by confusion, lack of clear goals, and selfish pursuit of desires at the expense of others. The concluding sentence uses the word therefore to indicate a direct result of these negative factors. Strife refers to bitter conflict, friction, or lack of agreement, which logically follows from the lack of shared objectives and consideration for others mentioned in the preceding text. This choice maintains the thematic consistency of a disordered and unhappy existence described throughout the paragraph.

Explanation

Taut is an adjective used to describe something that is stretched or pulled tight, characterized by a complete lack of slackness or looseness. It is frequently applied to objects like ropes, cables, or muscles that are under tension. Slack serves as the direct antonym because it describes a state of being loose, limp, or not held in a state of tension. In any context involving physical strain or structural firmness, these two terms represent opposite ends of the spectrum regarding tightness and rigidity.

Explanation

The error lies in the choice of preposition following the adjective angry. In English grammar, when expressing anger directed at a person or oneself, the correct preposition to use is with or at. The phrase on myself is non-standard and grammatically incorrect. Therefore, the segment should be corrected to with myself to properly indicate the object of the emotion.

Explanation

The sentence requires a passive construction because the subject, the charity, did not perform the action of setting up but was instead established by others. When the subject of the main clause is the receiver of the action described in a participial phrase or after a preposition like since, the passive gerund being plus the past participle set must be used. Using since being set up correctly indicates that the period of fund-raising began at the moment the charity was established.

Explanation

The word monotonous describes something that is dull, tedious, and repetitive, lacking in variety or interest. It originates from the Greek word monotonos, which means of one tone. Because it refers to a situation, sound, or task that remains unchanging and wearying, it is directly synonymous with boring, which characterizes anything that fails to provide excitement or interest due to its lack of diversity.

Explanation

Inarticulate is used to describe a person who is unable to express their thoughts or feelings clearly and effectively. This term specifically refers to a lack of clarity in speech or a struggle to communicate ideas, often due to being overwhelmed by emotion, lacking the necessary vocabulary, or having difficulty organizing one's thoughts into coherent language.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces the central theme of the paragraph by establishing an analogy between sound effects in films and words in a language. Sentence A follows B by providing a concrete example of this analogy, comparing specific sounds like footsteps and a door slam to phrases that convey information. Sentence D builds upon the linguistic metaphor by explaining that the addition of dialogue completes the sentence initiated by those sounds. Finally, sentence C concludes the logical sequence by describing the result of this completed communicative unit, which allows the audience to visualize a clear picture of the action and its context.

Explanation

The error lies in the segment where had he because the sentence is an indirect question. In indirect speech, when a question is reported, the sentence structure changes from interrogative to assertive. This means the subject should come before the auxiliary verb, eliminating the inversion used in direct questions. Therefore, the phrase where had he should be corrected to where he had to maintain the proper word order of a statement within the reported clause.

Explanation

The word abandon means to give up completely or to desert a person, place, or thing. Similarly, the word quit signifies the act of leaving, resigning, or ceasing to do something. Both terms convey the sense of relinquishing or stopping involvement with something, making them synonyms in the context of leaving or giving up a pursuit or possession.

Explanation

The conjunction whether is used to express a choice or an alternative between two possibilities. In English grammar, the construction whether or not is a standard idiomatic expression used to indicate that an action will occur regardless of the specific condition mentioned. In this sentence, it signifies that the speaker's decision to go to the fair remains unchanged and independent of the listener's permission. Whether serves as a subordinating conjunction that introduces a condition where the result is certain in either case.

Explanation

The word constrict refers to the process of making something narrower or tighter by squeezing or compressing it. This term is often used to describe the tightening of muscles, blood vessels, or physical objects, leading to a reduction in size or area. The word stretch signifies the act of extending or spreading something out to its full length or width, which results in expansion rather than compression. Because stretch involves increasing the dimensions or reach of an object, it serves as the direct opposite to the narrowing action of constricting.

Explanation

The idiom to hold water originates from the literal concept of a container or vessel that is sound and free of leaks. Metaphorically, it is used to describe an argument, theory, or story that is logical, consistent, and able to withstand close scrutiny or questioning. When a statement holds water, it is considered valid and reasonable because it does not have any flaws or contradictions that would cause it to fall apart under examination.

Explanation

Cuisine refers to a specific set of cooking traditions and practices, often associated with a specific culture or geographical region. It encompasses the ingredients, techniques, and dishes that define the culinary identity of a particular group of people. The term originates from the French word for kitchen or cooking and is used to describe the distinct methods and recipes that characterize the food of a certain country, such as Indian, French, or Chinese.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically accurate as it follows standard English syntax and rules of comparison. The singular subject This park correctly agrees with the singular linking verb is. The superlative adjective largest is appropriately preceded by the definite article the to indicate the highest degree of comparison among bird sanctuaries. The prepositional phrase in the State correctly identifies the geographical limit or domain of the comparison. There are no errors in tense, word order, or article usage.

Explanation

The idiom play with fire is a metaphorical expression used to describe the act of taking unnecessary and grave risks or engaging in a dangerous activity that is likely to result in trouble, harm, or failure. It draws a parallel between the physical danger of mishandling fire and the potential for severe consequences when one acts recklessly in a precarious situation.

Explanation

The subject Shamim is a proper noun in the third-person singular form. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject must be accompanied by a singular auxiliary verb. In the present perfect tense, have is used for plural subjects and the first/second person, while has is reserved for third-person singular subjects. Therefore, the use of have in the first part of the sentence is grammatically incorrect and must be replaced with has to match the singular subject.

Explanation

When converting from indirect to direct speech, the reporting verb asked is replaced by said to me. In the reported clause, the past tense was changes back to the present tense is according to the rules of back-shifting. The possessive pronoun my, which refers to the listener in the original context, reverts to the second-person possessive your. Furthermore, the word order changes from the assertive structure used in indirect speech to the interrogative structure required for a direct question, placing the verb is before the subject your favourite cuisine.

Explanation

The word is misspelled because it should use the suffix -ance instead of -ence. The correct spelling is disturbance, which refers to the interruption of a settled state or an instance of social unrest. In English orthography, the noun form of the verb disturb consistently uses the -ance ending to denote the act or condition of being disturbed.

Explanation

The sentence functions as a formal request for a service to be performed. In formal English, the adverb kindly is used to express a polite request or to ask someone to do something in a helpful and courteous manner. When paired with the modal verb may, the phrase may kindly becomes a standard formal construction used in correspondence to solicit an action respectfully. This usage is appropriate for a professional context where the speaker or writer is asking for a delivery to be made as soon as possible.

Explanation

The transformation of an active voice sentence containing a modal verb into passive voice follows the rule where the modal is followed by the object, the auxiliary verb be, and the past participle of the main verb. For an interrogative sentence, the modal remains at the beginning to maintain the question format. In the sentence Can you carry my bag upstairs?, the modal is can, the subject is you, the verb is carry, and the object is my bag. Following the passive structure Modal + Object + be + V3 + by + Subject, the sentence becomes Can my bag be carried upstairs by you?. This structure correctly shifts the focus to the object while preserving the modal and the interrogative intent of the original statement.