SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The idiom take one's hat off to someone is used to express admiration, praise, or respect for someone because of something they have done. In this context, it signifies a gesture of deep respect and honor toward freedom fighters for their selfless service and sacrifice for the nation. It originated from the literal act of a person removing their hat as a sign of courtesy or reverence in a social setting.

Explanation

Dew refers to the tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces, such as grass or leaves, during the night when atmospheric vapor condenses. In the context of the sentence, it correctly identifies the substance that forms droplets on top of leaves as a result of this natural process.

Explanation

In the context of governance and organizational management, policies refer to the deliberate systems of principles or strategies adopted to reach specific goals. When addressing global warming, governments and international bodies design and implement environmental policies to create a structured framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through various regulatory and voluntary measures. This term is the most appropriate because it encompasses the broad range of systematic approaches, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and efficiency standards, that authorities use to tackle climate change.

Explanation

The word joyous describes a state of great happiness, delight, or high spirits. In the context of the sentence, the phrase instead of establishes a contrast between the expected emotional reaction and the actual one. Melancholic refers to a state of deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness or depression. Therefore, melancholic serves as the most appropriate antonym because it represents the opposite emotional spectrum of being joyous.

Explanation

The noun aptitude refers to a natural ability or talent for a particular activity or field of study. In English grammar, this noun idiomatically collocates with the preposition for to indicate the area in which the talent lies. Therefore, the phrase aptitude for is the standard and correct prepositional pairing used to describe a person's inherent skill in scientific research.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Past Continuous tense, following the structure: Subject + was/were + verb-ing + object. To convert this into the passive voice, the object unpublished authors becomes the new subject. The formula for the passive voice in the Past Continuous tense is: New Subject + was/were + being + past participle (V3) + by + Agent. Since unpublished authors is a plural noun, the auxiliary verb were is required. Applying this rule, the verb phrase was expecting is transformed into were being expected.

Explanation

The sentence specifies a definite point of time in the past with the phrase in 1999. According to the rules of English grammar, the Simple Past tense is used to describe completed actions that occurred at a specific, known time in the past. The Past Perfect tense is typically reserved for indicating an action that was completed before another past action. Since this sentence identifies a specific year for a single completed event, the Simple Past form gave is the correct substitute for the underlined segment.

Explanation

A predicament refers to a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation from which it is hard to escape or find a resolution. Similarly, a quandary denotes a state of perplexity or uncertainty, particularly when one is faced with a difficult choice or a complex problem. Both terms are used to describe a state of being in a dilemma or a challenging fix where the path forward is not easily identifiable.

Explanation

Superficial describes something that exists or occurs at or on the surface, lacking depth, detail, or serious thought. In the context of knowledge, it refers to a shallow understanding that does not grasp the underlying complexities of a subject. Profound is the direct antonym because it characterizes knowledge, thoughts, or insights that are very deep, thorough, and intense. It signifies a level of understanding that goes far beyond the surface level.

Explanation

The phrase revolves around is a common English idiom used to indicate that something is the central point of focus, interest, or activity. In the context of the passage, it describes technology as the fundamental element upon which the modern world is centered and dependent. While words like rotates or circles describe physical circular motion, revolves is the standard figurative choice to convey that a specific subject is the core around which everything else in a system or society functions.

Explanation

Li-Fi, or Light Fidelity, is a wireless communication technology that utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to send data at high speeds. In the context of telecommunications and networking, the term transmit is the standard technical verb used to describe the act of sending digital information, signals, or packets across a medium. The sentence describes the functional mechanism of Li-Fi, where light signals serve as the carrier for data movement. Therefore, transmit is the most precise and contextually appropriate choice for describing how data is moved from one point to another using this specific technology.

Explanation

The passage transitions from discussing the benefits and advancements of technology to its negative consequences using the phrase "On the other hand." The word "drawbacks" refers to the disadvantages or negative aspects of a particular development, which directly introduces the subsequent discussion of cyberattacks, security threats, and digital addiction. Furthermore, the concluding section of the text explicitly uses the term "drawbacks" when contrasting them with technology's "benefits," establishing a clear lexical consistency and thematic parallel that confirms this as the most appropriate fit for the blank.

Explanation

In the context of cybersecurity and data breaches described in the passage, the term confidential is the most appropriate adjective to pair with personal data. It refers to sensitive information that is intended to be kept private and accessible only to authorized parties, such as financial details, business secrets, or government records. The phrase personal and confidential is a standard collocation used to describe the type of high-stakes information that is frequently targeted by cybercriminals and protected by security protocols.

Explanation

The term mitigating refers to the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something. In the context of environmental science, mitigation specifically involves efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases or to lessen the impact of climate change. The passage suggests that individuals can take part in this process through actions like reducing energy consumption and driving less, which are proactive steps designed to decrease the overall magnitude of global warming.

Explanation

The verb outweigh is used to indicate that one factor is greater in value, importance, or influence than another. In the context of the passage, the author transitions from discussing the negative aspects of technology, such as cybercrime and addiction, back to its overall utility. The phrase benefits outweigh its drawbacks is a standard English idiom used to express that the positive attributes of a subject are more significant than its negative consequences. This fits the logical flow of the concluding remarks, which suggest that while risks exist, technology remains a fundamentally beneficial tool depending on its application.

Explanation

The idiom you snooze, you lose is a proverbial expression used to emphasize that if a person fails to remain alert or is hesitant to act quickly, they will miss out on valuable opportunities. Although the word snooze literally refers to a short sleep, its figurative meaning in this context pertains to inattentiveness, procrastination, or a lack of vigilance. It serves as a warning that in competitive or time-sensitive situations, those who are not proactive or fail to pay attention are likely to be overtaken by others who are more observant and ready to seize the moment.

Explanation

The sentence requires the present perfect passive tense to describe an action that has occurred repeatedly over a duration of time extending to the present, as indicated by the phrase throughout history. The subject Stories is plural and undergoes the action, necessitating the use of have been followed by the past participle. The verb tell is the standard idiomatic choice for relating narratives or accounts, resulting in the correct construction have been told.

Explanation

The word extinct describes something that no longer exists or has died out completely, such as a species of animal or a particular custom. Vanished is its most appropriate synonym because it refers to something that has disappeared suddenly or ceased to exist, capturing the same sense of total absence or non-existence. Both terms are used to denote the state of being gone from the world or a specific environment.

Explanation

The word glorify means to praise, honor, or admire someone or something extensively, often to the point of exaltation. It is used to describe the act of representing something as admirable or magnificent. Similarly, praise refers to expressing warm approval, commendation, or admiration for the achievements or qualities of a person or thing. Both terms are centered on the act of giving high credit or tribute to a subject.

Explanation

Sentence a is grammatically sound because it correctly utilizes articles and idiomatic quantifiers. The phrase a lot of is a standard quantifier used with plural countable nouns like purchases to indicate a large number. Similarly, a couple of is the correct idiomatic expression used to denote two or a small number of meetings. The use of the indefinite article a before hectic day is appropriate for introducing a non-specific singular countable noun, and its use before couple is correct as the word starts with a consonant sound. Both purchases and meetings are correctly pluralized to agree with the plural sense of the quantifiers used.

Explanation

The active sentence is in the simple past tense, as indicated by the verb submitted. When converting a sentence from active to passive voice in the simple past tense, the verb form changes to was or were followed by the past participle (V3) of the main verb. In this sentence, the plural object various literary works becomes the new subject. Because this subject is plural, it requires the plural auxiliary verb were combined with the past participle submitted. The resulting passive structure correctly identifies the recipients of the action while maintaining the original tense and meaning.

Explanation

Homonyms refer to a category of words that share the same spelling or the same pronunciation, but represent entirely different meanings. The term is derived from the Greek roots homos, meaning same, and onoma, meaning name. In linguistics, this classification includes both homographs, which are spelled the same, and homophones, which sound the same. For example, the word bark can refer to the outer covering of a tree or the sound made by a dog. Similarly, the word mean can indicate an average value, a person's temperament, or the act of conveying a specific significance. Because these words appear or sound identical while functioning as distinct lexical items, they are defined as homonyms.

Explanation

Sentence A serves as the introductory statement, establishing the broad theme of globalization driven by technological and telecommunications advancements over recent decades. Sentence C logically follows by narrowing the focus to the positive economic contributions resulting from this global integration. Sentence D acts as a specific illustration of the points made in the preceding sentences, using the phrase For example to explain how science and technology enable businesses to expand internationally. Sentence B concludes the sequence by providing a balanced perspective, acknowledging that while technology drives these positive developments, its negative consequences must also be managed. This progression from a general overview to a specific example and finally a qualifying conclusion creates a coherent and logical flow of ideas.

Explanation

The word absurd describes something that is wildly unreasonable, illogical, or preposterous. It is used to characterize ideas, actions, or situations that lack common sense or rationality. In contrast, the word sensible refers to something that is grounded in sound judgment, practical wisdom, or reason. While an absurd statement is one that defies logic, a sensible statement is one that is realistic and well-thought-out. Because sensible represents the presence of logic and reason that absurd explicitly lacks, it serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression from a general introduction to specific details and finally to a cautionary conclusion. Sentence A serves as the topic sentence by introducing Ashwagandha as an adaptogenic herb and mentioning its primary benefits. Sentence C follows logically because the pronoun It refers back to the herb mentioned in A, further elaborating on its calming effects on the nervous system. Sentence D then transitions the topic from the benefits of the herb to the methods of consumption, mentioning powder and capsules. Sentence B provides the concluding thought by offering a necessary warning about consulting a specialist for dosage, which naturally fits at the end of a discussion about health supplements.

Explanation

The word forbade is the past tense of forbid, which means to command a person not to do something or to prohibit an action. Its direct opposite in terms of meaning is to permit or give permission for an action to occur. The word allowed is the past tense of allow, which signifies giving someone permission to do something or letting something happen. Therefore, allowed serves as the most appropriate antonym because it represents the act of granting consent, which is the exact reversal of the prohibition expressed by forbade.

Explanation

The term invincible is derived from the Latin prefix in- meaning not and the verb vincere meaning to conquer. It is used to describe an individual, entity, or force that is impossible to defeat, overcome, or subdue due to its overwhelming strength or resilience. Beyond physical combat, the word also applies to convictions or positions that remain unchanged despite intense pressure or opposition. It accurately encapsulates the quality of being insurmountable in the face of any challenge.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the present perfect tense, following the structure: Subject + have/has + V3 (past participle) + Object. When converting this to passive voice, the object (the plan) moves to the subject position. In the present perfect passive, the auxiliary verb has or have is followed by been and the past participle of the main verb. Since the plan is a singular noun, it takes the auxiliary has. The preposition by is then used to introduce the original subject as the agent. The passive construction thus follows the formula: Object + has/have + been + V3 + by + Subject.

Explanation

The idiom out of the blue is used to describe an event that happens completely unexpectedly and without any prior warning. It is derived from the longer phrase a bolt out of the blue, which likens a sudden occurrence to a flash of lightning appearing from a clear, calm blue sky. When something occurs out of the blue, there are no preceding signs or indications to suggest that it was going to happen.

Explanation

The sentence describes two completed actions in the past where one event occurred before the other. According to the rules of English grammar, the Past Perfect Tense must be used for the action that happened first. The structure for the Past Perfect Tense is had + past participle (V3). In this sentence, the patient died before the doctor arrived, so the verb following had must be the past participle form passed instead of the base form pass. Therefore, the segment pass away is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with passed away.

Explanation

The phrasal verb cast off means to discard, get rid of, or throw away something that is no longer useful or desired. In the context of the sentence, it refers to disposing of old clothes to make room for new ones purchased for the festival of Diwali. The verb cast is irregular and retains the same form in the present, past, and past participle tenses.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical chronological and thematic progression regarding the development of the Braille system. Sentence A sets the stage by introducing Louis's initial fascination with the concept of a raised dots system. Sentence B naturally follows by describing his decision to adapt that technique into a functional alphabetic code. Sentence C explains the specific practical utility of the alphabet code mentioned in the previous sentence, noting how it helps blind persons read bulky books. Finally, sentence D uses the transition word additionally to provide further technical detail about the refinement of the system into the specific six-dot cell technology.

Explanation

The word Cotarninous is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Coterminous, which describes things that have the same boundaries or are coextensive in range, scope, or duration. The term is derived from the Latin prefix co-, meaning together, and terminus, meaning boundary or limit. The misspelling in the option incorrectly substitutes the letter e with an a and places the letter r in the wrong position within the syllable structure.

Explanation

Audacity refers to a bold or daring willingness to take risks, often characterized by a lack of fear or a willingness to challenge established norms. In the context of a boxer agreeing to fight a champion, it signifies the nerve and bravery required to confront a superior opponent. Courage is a direct synonym as it represents the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Both words describe the quality of being fearless in the face of a daunting challenge.

Explanation

The word increasing is the most appropriate fit for blank (1) because it describes the rising or expanding nature of the vulnerability within the country's healthcare IT systems. The passage discusses a major ransomware attack on AIIMS, Delhi, which serves as a critical example of the growing risks to digital infrastructure. In the context of cybersecurity, vulnerability is often depicted as an escalating issue due to the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the rapid digitization of sensitive records. The subsequent sentences in the passage reinforce this theme by mentioning a worldwide increase in cyberattacks during the pandemic and noting that the Indian healthcare sector has become a primary target. Therefore, the attack highlights a susceptibility that is becoming more severe and pronounced over time.

Explanation

The sentence describes a general fact and a regular, ongoing function of the premier public healthcare institute. The inclusion of the time expression every year indicates a habitual action or a permanent state. In English grammar, the simple present tense is used to express such universal truths and recurring routines. Since the subject, the premier public healthcare institute, is singular, the verb must follow subject-verb agreement rules for the third-person singular by adding the suffix -s. Therefore, caters is the grammatically appropriate choice to match the singular subject and the frequent nature of the activity described.

Explanation

The term personal is the most appropriate adjective in this context because it refers to information that belongs to or relates to a specific individual. In the field of data security and healthcare, sensitive data such as names, addresses, and medical histories of patients are classified as personal information or personally identifiable information (PII). The passage emphasizes the sensitivity of the data by noting that it includes the records of specific individuals like political leaders and judges, highlighting that the information is private and tied to their individual identities. Therefore, personal correctly identifies the nature of the data that is at risk of being sold on the Dark Web following a cyberattack.

Explanation

The word massive is the most appropriate adjective to describe a significant and large-scale rise in the number of cyberattacks. In the context of reporting trends or statistical surges, massive increase is a standard English collocation used to denote a substantial or extensive growth in volume. Given that the passage discusses a global escalation of cyber threats targeting healthcare infrastructure during the pandemic, this term accurately conveys the intensity and gravity of the situation. It also aligns with the stylistic tone established in the opening sentence of the passage, which characterizes the specific incident at AIIMS as a massive ransomware attack.

Explanation

The sentence requires a verb in the passive voice because the subject, "A [significant] increase," is the entity being observed rather than the one performing the act of witnessing. In English grammar, the passive voice for the present perfect tense is formed using "has/have + been + past participle." Since "increase" is a singular subject, "has been witnessed" correctly completes the thought, indicating that this trend was documented or seen during the specified timeframe of the Covid pandemic.

Explanation

The sentence establishes a past reference point with the verb came and the specific year 2019. To describe an action that started in the past and continued up to that specific past moment, the Past Perfect Continuous tense is required. The underlined phrase Nupur has already been teaching uses the Present Perfect Continuous tense, which is grammatically inconsistent with a past time frame. The auxiliary verb has must be changed to had to correctly indicate that the five-year duration of teaching occurred relative to the 2019 visit rather than the present moment.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression no smoke without fire is used to suggest that if there are rumors or unpleasant signs regarding a situation, there is usually a factual basis or a underlying reason for them. In the given sentence, while Anita maintains her innocence, the idiom implies that the suspicions or allegations against her likely stem from some degree of truth or suspicious activity.

Explanation

The passive sentence Those four pages were torn by Jack is in the Simple Past tense, as indicated by the auxiliary verb were followed by the past participle torn (V₃). To convert this into the active voice, the agent Jack becomes the subject and the verb must be changed to its simple past form (V₂). The second form of the verb tear is tore. Consequently, the active structure follows the pattern Subject + V₂ + Object, resulting in the sentence: Jack tore those four pages.

Explanation

The word frugal is used to describe a person or lifestyle that is economical, thrifty, and careful with money or resources to avoid waste. Its direct antonym is extravagant, which refers to spending much more money than is necessary or wise, often characterized by a lack of restraint or excessive indulgence in luxury. While a frugal person seeks to save and use resources sparingly, an extravagant person spends lavishly and wastefully.

Explanation

The term illegible refers specifically to handwriting or print that is impossible or extremely difficult to read. This condition often arises from poor penmanship, smudging, or physical damage to the medium on which the text is written, rendering the characters indecipherable to the human eye. It is derived from the Latin root legibilis, meaning readable, combined with the negative prefix il-.

Explanation

The word persuaded means to convince someone to do something through reasoning or argument. The sentence uses the conjunction while to indicate a contrast between the majority of friends and a few others. The antonym of persuade is dissuade, which means to advise or urge someone against a specific course of action. This choice is grammatically consistent with the sentence structure, as the verb dissuade is conventionally followed by the preposition from to indicate the action being discouraged.

Explanation

The sentence describes a state or condition that existed throughout a specific period in the past, namely Shakuntala Devi's childhood. To express that an action had not occurred up to or during a point in the past, the past perfect tense is used. The structure had never been consists of the auxiliary verb had, the adverb never, and the past participle been, which together indicate that the experience of attending school was completely absent during her early years. In English, been to is the standard idiom used to describe the act of visiting or attending a place like a school.

Explanation

The sentence uses the correct plural noun children, as the word child becomes children in its plural form without needing an additional s. The spelling of kindergarten is accurate, maintaining its standard form derived from German roots. Furthermore, the word principal is correctly used to refer to the head of a school, distinguished from principle which denotes a fundamental law or belief. The inclusion of the possessive apostrophe in principal's appropriately indicates ownership of the car by the school official.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the indefinite article an before the word hurry. In English grammar, the article an is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, whereas the article a is used before words beginning with a consonant sound. Since the word hurry starts with a consonant sound h, it must be preceded by the article a. The phrase in a hurry is a standard idiomatic expression meaning to be in a state of haste, making the use of an grammatically incorrect in this context.

Explanation

The first blank requires a noun to follow the adjective next and the definite article the, specifically referring to a measured quantity of medicine. The word dose serves this purpose, denoting a prescribed amount of a drug taken at one time. The second blank follows the infinitive marker to after the verb began, requiring the base form of a verb to complete the predicate. The word doze is a verb meaning to fall into a light sleep or nap, which logically describes the patient's reaction after receiving the medication. Therefore, the combination of dose as the noun and doze as the infinitive verb correctly completes the sentence both grammatically and semantically.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces the central subject by providing a general definition of what a saint represents in religious belief, making it the logical starting point for the paragraph. Sentence C follows as a transitional statement, explaining that despite the general definition, the specific use of the term varies by denomination. Sentence A provides a concrete example of this variation by detailing the specific teachings of Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions regarding the departed faithful. Sentence D concludes the sequence by narrowing the focus to how some of those saints mentioned in the previous sentence receive formal ecclesiastical recognition through processes like canonisation or glorification.