SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The idiom get up on the wrong side of the bed is used to describe a person who starts their day in a bad mood, feeling irritable, grumpy, or unhappy for no apparent reason. It suggests that from the moment they woke up, their temperament or circumstances have been negative, leading to a difficult or unpleasant day where everything seems to go poorly.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical progression starting with sentence C, which introduces Ruskin's primary concept regarding the five intellectual professions in society. Sentence D naturally follows C by using the reference these professions to link back to the list provided, while establishing the expectation of honest performance. Sentence B provides a specific illustration of the duty mentioned in D, using the merchant as an example. The sequence concludes with sentence A, which uses the contrastive conjunction but to transition from the expectations of the professions to the specific problem of how to handle a person who is dishonest.

Explanation

The idiom bird's eye view refers to a view of something from a high position looking down, which is synonymous with an aerial view. Other options like a bird in the gilded cage or bird brain carry entirely different meanings related to confinement or intelligence.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the introductory statement as it identifies the subject, Colonel Harland Sanders, and establishes the theme of his motivational life story. Sentence D follows by providing biographical details about his early life struggles and failures as a seventh-grade dropout, which substantiates the disappointments mentioned in the opening. Sentence C moves forward in time to his mid-life period, describing his start in the chicken business at age 40 and the external challenges he faced. Sentence A logically concludes the sequence by using the word later to describe the subsequent stage of his career where he expanded his business through franchising.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Present Continuous tense, which follows the structure: Subject + is/am/are + V-ing + Object. When converting this to the passive voice, the structure becomes: Object + is/am/are + being + past participle (V3) + by + Subject.

In this case, the object is the charity function, which is singular, so it takes the auxiliary verb is. Following the rule for continuous tenses, the word being is added before the past participle form of the verb organise, which is organised. Therefore, the passive construction is the charity function is being organised tomorrow.

Explanation

The paragraph begins with sentence (c), which introduces William Shakespeare as the subject. Sentences (a) and (d) form a logical sequence describing the brilliance achieved by English drama under his influence, while sentence (b) acts as a relative clause modifying that brilliance.

Explanation

The word naive refers to a person who is innocent, gullible, or overly trusting due to a lack of experience or worldly wisdom. In the given sentence, cynical represents the opposite state of mind, describing someone who has become deeply distrustful of human sincerity and believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest. While a naive individual views the world with simplicity and misplaced faith, a cynical individual views it with skepticism and suspicion, making them direct antonyms in the context of one's outlook on society and human nature.

Explanation

The phrasal verb iron out means to resolve, settle, or eliminate problems, difficulties, or inconsistencies. In the context of the sentence, it indicates that the driver managed to resolve or smooth over the situation regarding the traffic violation he committed. This expression is derived from the literal action of using an iron to remove wrinkles from fabric, metaphorically applying to the removal of obstacles or complications in a situation to ensure a smooth outcome.

Explanation

The term subjugated is the most appropriate fit in the context of colonial history, as it describes the process by which a dominant group brings another population under its complete control or domination through force or authority. During the colonization of Australia, the British settlers established systemic control over the indigenous Aboriginal populations, stripping them of their land rights, sovereignty, and personal freedoms. This power imbalance resulted in the indigenous people being forced into a subordinate position, which aligns with the narrative of the colonizers exercising total power and privilege while suppressing the existing social and legal structures of the original inhabitants.

Explanation

In the context of colonial expansion, the phrase refers to the physical transformation of indigenous territories to serve the economic and strategic interests of the settlers. Colonizers frequently repurposed aboriginal land for their own betterment by establishing infrastructure, settlements, and industrial projects. The term construction sites accurately reflects this process of building new colonial structures and urban environments, which directly contributed to the dispossession of the original inhabitants and the permanent modification of the natural landscape for the colonizers' benefit.

Explanation

The term perceived is used here to describe how the aboriginal Australians were viewed or regarded by the white colonizers. In the context of social hierarchy and colonial ideology, to be perceived as sub-humans means that the colonizers interpreted the identity and status of the indigenous people through a lens of prejudice and racial superiority. This mental framework allowed the settlers to justify their discriminatory actions and the marginalization of the native population by framing them as being of lower intelligence or hygiene. The structure perceived as is a standard idiomatic expression used to denote the way someone is seen or categorized by others.

Explanation

The passage describes the negative and harmful consequences of colonialism on both the indigenous population and the Australian environment. The sentence structure uses not only and but also to link two parallel negative actions taken by the colonisers. Since the first part mentions the displacement of tribes, the second part requires a verb that reflects the damage done to the beauty and balance of the natural world. In the context of the subsequent sentence mentioning deforestation and the destruction of land, destroyed is the most logical choice to describe the resulting ecological degradation and loss of natural harmony.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces the book title and the main character's core belief, establishing the theme of the paragraph. Sentence C logically follows by providing the reason for the girl's belief, explaining that her parents disappeared. Sentence D continues the narrative flow by describing the action she takes in response to her situation, specifically her journey toward the Mojave Desert. Sentence A serves as the conclusion, using the contrastive conjunction But to reveal a detail the character is unaware of, thereby adding a layer of irony to her perceived isolation. This arrangement follows a clear progression from the premise to the background, then to the character's actions, and finally to a situational revelation.

Explanation

The term fauna refers to the collective animal life inhabiting a particular region or ecosystem. In the context of the passage, emus, eagles, and kangaroos are all indigenous animal species of Australia. The sentence describes how environmental degradation, specifically deforestation and the destruction of traditional lands caused by colonial activities, led to a decline in the populations of these native animals. Therefore, fauna is the appropriate collective noun to categorize the various wildlife species mentioned as being affected by habitat loss.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple past tense interrogative-negative form, following the structure Did + subject + not + base verb + object. To convert this into the passive voice, the structure shifts to Was/Were + object + not + past participle (V3) + by + subject.

Since the object of the active sentence, the return tickets to Dehradun, is plural, the auxiliary verb were is required to maintain correct subject-verb agreement in the passive form. The past participle of the verb buy is bought. Combining these elements according to the passive voice rules results in the sentence: Were the return tickets to Dehradun not bought by you?

Explanation

The word adolossence is incorrectly spelled in the given context. The correct spelling is adolescence, which refers to the transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. The error lies in the suffix, where the correct sequence is scence rather than ssence. This word is derived from the Latin verb adolescere, which means to grow up.

Explanation

The idiom a storm in a teacup refers to a situation where people get very angry or worried about something that is not important. It signifies a disproportionate reaction or a great deal of fuss over a trivial matter, making it the exact semantic substitute for making a big fuss about a small problem.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the Past Continuous tense, which follows the structure: Subject + was/were + V-ing + Object. To convert this into the passive voice, the object becomes the subject and the verb phrase follows the formula: New Subject + was/were + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + New Object. Applying this, the fire and rescue team becomes the subject. Since it acts as a single collective unit, it takes the singular auxiliary was. The verb helping transforms into being helped to preserve the continuous aspect and passive state. Therefore, the correct passive construction is: The fire and rescue team was being helped by Mahesh and his team.

Explanation

The sentences in this option follow standard English rules for article usage and noun identification. The indefinite article a is correctly used in the first sentence to introduce a noun, nice party, for the first time in the conversation. In the subsequent sentence, the definite article the is used because the party has already been mentioned and is now a specific, identifiable noun to both the speaker and the listener. This progression from an indefinite to a definite reference ensures grammatical clarity and logical flow.

Explanation

An encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work that provides detailed information on a wide range of subjects or a particular branch of knowledge. These collections are designed to summarize the vast extent of human understanding into a structured format, typically organized alphabetically. Because they cover a diverse spectrum of fields such as history, science, culture, and geography, they serve as the primary resource for seeking holistic information across all areas of knowledge.

Explanation

The word peruse means to read or examine something carefully and thoroughly. It is often used in the context of reviewing documents, texts, or information to gain a clear understanding or to verify details. The word check serves as an appropriate synonym because it implies the act of inspecting or investigating something to determine its condition, accuracy, or quality. When one peruses a report, they are essentially checking its contents through a detailed examination. This alignment in meaning makes check the most suitable choice for describing the act of careful inspection.

Explanation

The paragraph is structured logically by moving from a general psychological premise to a specific behavioral observation. Sentence C serves as the introduction, establishing the foundational idea that the human mind is resourceful in seeking shortcuts and ease. Sentence A follows this by explaining the practical manifestation of that mental trait, which is our tendency to manipulate our environment to suit our personal preferences. Sentence B narrows the focus further by providing a specific instance of this behavior, noting that even during spiritual pilgrimages, we prioritize comfort and immediate happiness. Sentence D concludes the sequence by explaining the underlying philosophy of this behavior, suggesting that we rely on external comforts to avoid the rigorous effort required in spiritual pursuits.

Explanation

The word wicked is used to describe someone who is morally evil, corrupt, or sinful in their actions and character. Its most direct antonym is virtuous, which characterizes a person who possesses high moral standards, integrity, and righteousness. While wicked implies a lack of morality, virtuous denotes the presence of moral excellence, making it the most suitable opposite in the given context.

Explanation

Sentence B serves as the logical introduction by establishing the general tendency of youngsters to seek advice from their elders. Sentence D follows this by using the connective phrase In the similar context to describe the corresponding role of elders in providing guidance. Sentence C then describes the outcome of this interaction, noting how the youth receive systematic answers to their queries. Finally, sentence A provides the underlying rationale for this systematic behavior, explaining that it stems from the practical approach favored by influential members of society. This sequence creates a coherent progression from the initial act of seeking advice to the societal justification for how that advice is delivered.

Explanation

The word matching refers to things that correspond, harmonize, or are identical in appearance, quality, or character. When two items are described as matching, they share a strong similarity or likeness. The word resembling means to be like or similar to something else in features or qualities. In the context of linguistic synonyms, resembling serves as the most appropriate choice because it describes the state of being similar in appearance or nature, which is the core definition of matching.

Explanation

Derision refers to the act of treating someone or something with contemptuous ridicule or mockery, reflecting a lack of respect or a feeling that the subject is worthless. Admiration serves as the most appropriate antonym because it denotes a feeling of great respect, warm approval, and high esteem. While derision involves scornful laughter or belittling, admiration signifies the appreciation of merit or excellence.

Explanation

In the context of commerce and valuation, the word moderate signifies a price that is not extreme, excessive, or intense. It represents a fair middle ground that is sensible and acceptable under the circumstances. The term reasonable is the most appropriate synonym because it specifically describes a price that is fair, sound in judgement, and not immoderate. When applied to the cost of a bungalow, both words convey that the offer was equitable and aligned with typical market expectations without being overly high or low.

Explanation

In the context of the sentence, yielded means to give way to arguments, demands, or pressure. Conceded is the most appropriate synonym as it means to admit defeat or to grant a point or a demand, often reluctantly. Both words describe the act of surrendering one's position or agreeing to someone else's terms after initial resistance.

Explanation

The sentence uses the conjunction but to contrast the difficulty of learning a language with its positive outcomes. While challenging implies a demanding or difficult process, rewarding indicates that the effort leads to a sense of satisfaction, personal growth, or tangible benefits. This positive connotation is reinforced by the following sentence, which mentions that the process opens up new opportunities for communication and cultural exchange. In this context, rewarding is the most logical choice to describe an activity that is difficult yet deeply beneficial and fulfilling.

Explanation

The sentence context emphasizes the importance of being patient while learning a new language. In English, the phrase "give yourself time" is a standard idiomatic expression meaning to allow oneself the necessary period to develop a skill or achieve progress without feeling rushed. This usage aligns with the earlier mention of patience, suggesting that the learner should provide themselves with the opportunity for gradual improvement.

Explanation

The context of the passage focuses on the necessity of regular practice and consistency to make the process of language learning more effective. The verb commit is used here as part of the phrasal verb commit to, which means to dedicate oneself to a particular course of action or policy. Given that the text recommends engaging with the language every day to build a routine, this choice logically aligns with the goal of maintaining progress and reinforcing new information through steady, disciplined effort.

Explanation

The passage discusses the process of language acquisition and the methods to improve one's skills effectively. In this context, the verb accelerate means to increase the speed or rate of something. Progress refers to the forward or onward movement toward a goal or the process of improving in a specific skill. When a learner immerses themselves in a language and its culture, they enhance their learning trajectory, thereby increasing the speed at which they improve their proficiency and understanding.

Explanation

The context of the sentence requires a positive adjective that complements the phrase fun experience. The conjunction and connects the blank with the idea of having a fun experience, indicating that the missing word must be synonymous with or related to being pleasant or gratifying. Enjoyable means giving delight or pleasure, which aligns perfectly with the tone of the sentence and the description of language learning as a practical and positive endeavor.

Explanation

Blasphemy is defined as the act of insulting or showing a lack of reverence for God, or treating something sacred with irreverence or disrespect. It originates from the Greek word blasphemia, which means a speaking ill or impious words. In religious and legal contexts, it specifically describes speech, writing, or actions that are considered sacrilegious or profane toward a deity or religious icons and beliefs.

Explanation

Sentence D introduces the central theme by describing the transition of existing internet technology into a better and newer version. Sentence C directly follows by identifying this new version as the metaverse, while Sentence E provides a further description of the metaverse as an intriguing technology. This D-C-E sequence establishes the modern context of technological change. Sentences B and A provide the chronological background that led to the current state; Sentence B details the initial transition to digitalisation, and Sentence A concludes the thought by stating that many countries have now achieved full digitalisation. This structure presents the primary subject of interest first before offering the historical context that makes the transition possible.

Explanation

A bonfire is a large, controlled outdoor fire used as a centerpiece for celebration, signaling, or social gatherings. It is a traditional element in various cultures for marking festivals, holidays, or significant communal events, where people congregate around the fire to celebrate together.

Explanation

The sentence requires the present perfect tense to describe an action that has occurred at an unspecified time in the past. The grammatical structure for the present perfect tense is subject + has/have + past participle (V₃) of the main verb. The verb win is an irregular verb with the principal parts win (present), won (past), and won (past participle). Therefore, the auxiliary verb has must be followed by the past participle form won to satisfy the rules of English syntax.

Explanation

The sentence Joseph opened the Bible is in the simple past tense, following the structure Subject + V₂ + Object. To convert a sentence from active voice to passive voice in the simple past tense, the formula used is Object + was/were + past participle (V₃) + by + Subject. Since the object The Bible is singular, it requires the auxiliary verb was followed by the past participle opened. Therefore, the passive voice form is The Bible was opened by Joseph.

Explanation

The error in this sentence is the use of the adjective sure instead of the adverb surely. In the clause that he would sure repay, the word modifies the verb repay. Standard English grammar requires an adverb to modify a verb, whereas adjectives are used to modify nouns or pronouns. Therefore, the adjective sure should be replaced by the adverb surely to correctly describe the action. Alternatively, a word like certainly or definitely could be used, but the specific grammatical flaw in the given phrase is the substitution of an adjective for an adverb.

Explanation

The word gullible refers to a person who is easily deceived or tricked because they are overly trusting and naive. In contrast, cynical describes someone who is skeptical and distrustful of human sincerity or motives, often believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest. Because a cynical person is inherently suspicious and unlikely to take things at face value, it serves as a direct antonym to the unquestioning and easily persuaded nature of someone who is gullible.

Explanation

The sentence The ball of yarn was being nudged by the kitten is in the passive voice in the past continuous tense. The construction was being + past participle (nudged) indicates an action that was ongoing in the past. To convert this to the active voice, the subject of the action (the kitten) moves to the start of the sentence, followed by the active past continuous verb form (was/were + verb-ing), and finally the object (the ball of yarn). Therefore, the active form uses was nudging to correctly reflect the original tense and meaning.

Explanation

The word complemented is the past tense of the verb complement, which means to enhance, improve, or complete something by providing a balanced or contrasting quality. In the context of the sentence, it describes how the shirt and trousers work together to create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This term is a homophone of the word complimented used in the first sentence, which means to express praise or admiration. Using the past tense form maintains grammatical consistency with the initial statement.

Explanation

The sentence refers to a liquid fuel derived from petroleum used in internal combustion engines. In the context of rising prices and automotive usage, the correct spelling for this commodity is petrol. The word provided in the sentence, patrol, refers to the action of monitoring or guarding an area, which does not fit the context of a costly substance. Therefore, petrol is the correct term to substitute the underlined word.

Explanation

The word carrier is the correct spelling for a person, vehicle, or organization that transports goods or passengers. In the specific context of transport and logistics, a public carrier refers to a common carrier authorized to transport property or people for the general public over regular routes. The spelling is derived from the verb carry, where the final y is changed to an i before adding the agentive suffix -er to denote the entity performing the action.

Explanation

In the context of the sentence, the word redeem means to exchange a coupon, voucher, or points for a prize, discount, or cash value, thereby claiming a benefit one is entitled to. The word forfeit means to lose or give up a right, property, or privilege as a consequence of a fault, omission, or condition. Since redeeming involves gaining or reclaiming something of value and forfeiting involves losing or surrendering it, forfeit serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The idiom rule the roost signifies being the most powerful or influential person in a group or organization. It describes a situation where an individual or a specific group exercises complete control and makes all the primary decisions. In the context of the given sentence, it indicates that the nationalists are the ones in charge of the country, allowing them the authority to govern and distribute employment opportunities as they see fit.

Explanation

The idiom keep someone at arm's length is a figurative expression used to describe the act of maintaining a social or emotional distance from another person. It implies a deliberate effort to prevent a relationship from becoming too close, personal, or intimate. By keeping someone at the distance of one's outstretched arm, one ensures that the individual remains outside of their inner circle, thereby avoiding the level of familiarity or influence that comes with being friendly or close. This is often practiced in professional settings or situations where one lacks trust in the other person's intentions.

Explanation

In the given sentence, the word vain describes something that is unproductive, futile, or fails to achieve the desired result. When efforts are said to be in vain, it means they are ineffective and have no value because the necessary conditions for success, such as meeting a deadline, were not satisfied. Therefore, useless is the most appropriate synonym as it directly refers to an action or effort that serves no purpose and yields no practical benefit.

Explanation

The adjective pale is used to describe a person's complexion when it lacks its usual healthy color, often as a result of illness, shock, or fatigue. In the context of a patient who is described as being tired, this word appropriately characterizes the sickly or wan appearance that typically accompanies such a physical state. It serves as a predicative adjective following the linking verb looked to complete the description of the subject's physical condition.

Explanation

The sentence requires a verb in its base form to complete the infinitive structure initiated by the word to. In English grammar, the verb following the infinitive marker to must be in its simplest form (V1) rather than a gerund or a present participle. The word deceive is a base verb that means to deliberately cause someone to believe something that is not true, especially for personal gain. This meaning aligns perfectly with the description of Natwar as a fraudster, making it the grammatically and contextually appropriate substitution.