SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Consent refers to the act of giving permission for something to happen or agreeing to a proposal or request. Assent is its direct synonym as it signifies the expression of approval or agreement, particularly in a formal or official context. Both terms describe a state of concurrence where an individual aligns their will with a suggested course of action or accepts a set of terms presented by another party.

Explanation

A casino is a facility specifically designed to house and accommodate various types of gambling activities. It serves as a public building or room where people participate in games of chance or skill, such as poker, blackjack, and roulette, specifically for the purpose of betting money on the outcomes.

Explanation

The sentence requires the past tense form of the verb to maintain grammatical consistency and proper subject-verb agreement. Since the latter part of the sentence uses the modal verb could, which is the past tense of can, the preceding main verb must also be in the past tense. Therefore, call should be replaced with called to indicate that the action occurred in the past. Even if the sentence were intended to be in the present tense, call would be incorrect because the singular third-person subject Karan requires the verb form calls. Given the context of the entire sentence, the simple past tense called is the necessary correction.

Explanation

The passage highlights the cognitive limitations of students when processing oral information, especially after they have already attended multiple lectures. In this context, the sentence requires a word that signifies the necessity or value of a teacher being aware of these factors. The term important logically fits here, as it underscores that such an awareness is a fundamental requirement for a teacher to adapt their methods and ensure that the learning material is effectively communicated and retained.

Explanation

The passage discusses the challenges of student attention and information processing in a classroom environment. In the specific context of blank 2, the author is pointing out that by the time a particular teacher begins their session, students may have already sat through multiple previous lectures. The preposition before is used to establish this chronological order, indicating that other teachers have presented their material earlier in the day or schedule prior to the current teacher. This previous mental exertion by the students makes it necessary for the current teacher to use engaging tools like handouts and slides to maintain focus.

Explanation

The expression "come alive" is a standard idiomatic phrase in English meaning to become interesting, vivid, or lively. In the context of the passage, the author is discussing methods to enhance the learning experience through the use of visual aids and props. By using notes, handouts, and slides, a teacher can make the educational content "come alive" for the students, transforming abstract information into something engaging and easy to visualize. This usage fits the causative structure of the sentence, where the teacher's actions cause the material to transition into a state of being animated and memorable.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the word realise is the most appropriate choice because it denotes the act of becoming fully aware of a fact or a situation. The sentence introduces a specific insight regarding how students process spoken language, specifically that long and fast sentences are difficult to comprehend. The passage advises teachers on how to adapt their methods based on student limitations, making it essential for the teacher to understand or grasp this reality. Therefore, realise fits the pedagogical tone of the text, emphasizing the importance of teacher awareness in facilitating student understanding.

Explanation

The passage discusses the limitations of oral communication in a classroom setting and provides guidance for teachers to enhance student understanding. Since the text identifies that long, complicated sentences are difficult for students to process, the logical response is to offer a recommendation for better practice. The term advisable is the most suitable choice as it characterizes the use of short sentences as a prudent and helpful suggestion for effective teaching. It aligns with the tone of the passage, which focuses on providing constructive strategies to ensure that learning material is accessible and easily understood by students.

Explanation

The term mammal refers to a class of warm-blooded vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of mammary glands. In females, these specialized glands produce milk, which is used to nourish their offspring after birth. This biological feature is the primary distinguishing trait that defines the mammalian class. Most mammals also possess hair or fur and give birth to live young, with the lactation process being a fundamental aspect of their reproductive and parental care strategy.

Explanation

The word inevitable is used to describe an event or situation that is unavoidable and certain to occur. It originates from the Latin term inevitabilis, which combines the prefix in-, meaning not, with evitabilis, meaning avoidable. In linguistic context, it specifically denotes a result or occurrence that cannot be prevented, escaped, or resisted because of the circumstances involved.

Explanation

The word Nefew is misspelled according to standard English orthography. The correct spelling is Nephew, which uses the ph digraph to represent the f sound. This spelling is derived from the Middle English and Old French word neveu, which originates from the Latin term nepos. The word is used to denote the son of one's brother or sister, or the son of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law.

Explanation

The word indolent is used to describe a person who is habitually lazy, slothful, or prone to avoiding activity and exertion. It denotes a state of idleness or a lack of desire to perform work. The term active serves as its direct antonym because it refers to a person who is characterized by energetic action, physical or mental engagement, and a constant readiness to exert effort. While indolence signifies a passive avoidance of tasks, being active represents the presence of vigor and industriousness.

Explanation

The term concepts of liberty is the most appropriate substitution because it aligns with the political and constitutional terminology used during the Indian independence movement and in the subsequent drafting of the Constitution. Liberty is a foundational value explicitly mentioned in the Preamble and realized through the Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Constitution. In a legal and political context, liberty and freedom are often used interchangeably to describe the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views. The transition from philosophical conceptions to codified constitutional concepts directly led to the inclusion of individual liberties and social welfare goals in the Indian state's framework.

Explanation

The sentence follows the modal perfect structure in the active voice: Subject + might + have + V3 (past participle) + Object. To convert a sentence with a modal perfect into the passive voice, the formula is: Object + might + have + been + V3 + by + Subject. In this case, her research becomes the subject, the verb phrase changes from might have completed to might have been completed, and the original subject she becomes the agent by her. The adverbial phrase by that time remains at the end of the sentence to maintain the original meaning.

Explanation

The term runaway functions as an adjective in this sentence to describe a person who has escaped from confinement or is fleeing from legal authority. It modifies the noun convict, indicating that the individual has broken free and is currently at large. In the context of the police being on high alert, runaway provides the necessary description of a fugitive whose escape has triggered an intensive search due to the threat they pose to the public.

Explanation

A patriot is defined as an individual who loves, supports, and is prepared to defend their country against enemies. In contrast, a traitor is a person who betrays their country, a cause, or a trust, often by providing aid to an enemy or working against national interests. Because these terms represent opposite ends of the spectrum regarding national allegiance and loyalty, they are direct antonyms.

Explanation

The word lucid signifies something that is expressed clearly, easy to understand, or characterized by clarity of thought. When an account is described as lucid, it means the information is presented in a straightforward and transparent manner. The term ambiguous serves as its antonym because it refers to language or information that is unclear, vague, or capable of being understood in more than one way. Therefore, ambiguous directly contradicts the quality of being easy to perceive or comprehend.

Explanation

The idiom scrape the barrel originates from the historical practice of storing food, such as salted meat or flour, in wooden barrels. When the supply was nearly exhausted, one had to scrape the very bottom to obtain the remaining bits, which were typically of the lowest quality. In figurative usage, it refers to being forced to use the least desirable or weakest resources, people, or options available because all better alternatives have been used up or are unavailable. It signifies a state of desperation where one must settle for the final, poorest remnants as a last resort.

Explanation

The idiom a dime a dozen refers to something that is very common, easy to find, and therefore not particularly unique or valuable. In this sentence, it is used to describe ideas that lacked originality or special merit. Because the ideas were perceived as common and unremarkable, they failed to make a positive impact on the boss, which fits the figurative meaning of the expression perfectly.

Explanation

The indefinite article an is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, while a is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. In the phrase an Indian artist, the word Indian begins with the vowel sound /ɪ/, which requires the article an. In the phrase a European engineer, the word European begins with the consonant sound /j/ (as in the word yellow or you), despite starting with the vowel letter E. Because the phonetic sound at the start of European is a consonant sound, it must be preceded by the article a.

Explanation

The word Wilfull is incorrectly spelled because the suffix -ful is always written with a single l when it is used to form an adjective. According to standard English spelling rules, when the word full is added to a base word as a suffix, the second l is dropped. The correct spelling of the word in British English is Wilful, while in American English it is spelled Willful. In both regional variations, the word ends with a single l.

Explanation

A sculptor is an artist who creates three-dimensional works of art by carving, modeling, or welding materials such as stone, wood, metal, or clay. The term originates from the Latin word sculpere, which means to carve. In the context of the sentence, a sculptor is the precise professional designation for an artist specializing in the creation of sculptures, making it the correct synonym for the underlined phrase.

Explanation

In the context of financial transactions and banking, a cheque is a written order directing a bank to pay a specific sum of money from a drawer's account to a specified person or entity. It is one of the most common physical instruments used for making payments besides currency. The sentence describes the available methods of settling a transaction, and the word cheque is the technically correct term for a non-cash negotiable instrument used to facilitate the transfer of funds between parties. This aligns with standard business terminology where payments are typically categorized as being made by cheque, credit card, or in cash.

Explanation

A traitor is defined as a person who betrays a friend, country, or principle through disloyalty or treachery. The most appropriate antonym among the words provided in the sentence is loyal, which describes someone who is characterized by faithfulness and firm allegiance to a cause, person, or sovereign. While a traitor acts against trust and duty, a loyal individual remains steadfast and devoted, making it the direct semantic opposite in the context of personal or political character.

Explanation

The error in the segment is a violation of the rule of subject-verb agreement. The sentence is in the simple present tense, which is used to describe habitual actions or regular occurrences, signaled here by the frequency adverb always. In the simple present tense, when the subject is a third-person singular pronoun such as she, he, or it, the verb must take the suffix -s or -es. Therefore, the base form invite must be changed to invites to correctly correspond with the singular subject she.

Explanation

The sentence By whom was the coffee made? is in the passive voice and uses the simple past tense, as indicated by the auxiliary verb was followed by the past participle made. In active voice transformations for interrogative sentences starting with By whom, the agent By whom becomes the subject Who. Since the original sentence is in the simple past tense, the active form must also use the simple past tense of the verb make, which is made. The structure follows the pattern: Who + V2 (past tense) + object. Applying this pattern results in Who made the coffee? which correctly identifies the active subject performing the action in the past.

Explanation

The word disadvantage signifies an unfavorable condition, a drawback, or a state of being in a less successful position compared to others. In the provided sentence, it implies that the subject lacks a beneficial standing or faces a handicap. The term privileged serves as the most appropriate antonym because it denotes a state of having special rights, benefits, or a superior position of advantage. In linguistic terms, where a disadvantage represents a liability or a state of being hindered, being privileged represents a distinctive benefit or a favored status, thereby providing the direct opposite meaning in the context of access to resources and technology.

Explanation

Sentence D serves as the foundational introduction, identifying Achilles and establishing his parentage in Greek mythology. Sentence B follows by describing his broader reputation and significant role as a warrior in the Trojan War. Sentence A moves into specific biographical details regarding his upbringing and introduces his companion, Patroclus. Sentence C is logically placed last because it provides additional context and varying historical interpretations of the relationship with Patroclus that was introduced in the preceding sentence. This sequence ensures a coherent flow from general identification to specific personal history.

Explanation

The adjective capable is the grammatically appropriate choice because it is idiomatically followed by the preposition of. In English, the construction be capable of is used to express that someone has the necessary ability, power, or potential to achieve or do something. While other words might carry similar meanings of ability, they do not follow this specific prepositional pattern; for example, the word able would require the infinitive to. In the context of the passage, being capable of great achievements correctly describes the potential for success driven by ambition.

Explanation

The preposition within is used to indicate that something is inside a person, particularly relating to their inner thoughts, feelings, or character. In the context of the passage, the special something refers to the internal drive, ambition, or spark that motivates an individual. Since this source of willpower and determination originates from the inner nature of a person rather than from external factors, within is the most appropriate word to describe the location of this quality relative to ourselves.

Explanation

The sentence employs the comparative adjective higher to describe the goal. In English grammar, adjectives in the comparative degree are followed by the conjunction than to introduce the second element of a comparison. Here, than serves to compare the actual level of the goal reached with the level of capability the individual previously imagined for themselves.

Explanation

The adjective capable is idiomatically paired with the preposition of to indicate that someone has the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve something. In the phrase "imagine ourselves capable of," the preposition of correctly completes the expression by linking the capacity of the individual to the "higher goal" mentioned earlier in the sentence.

Explanation

The word like is used as a preposition in this context to introduce a comparison between nouns. It establishes a parallel between ambition and the qualities of money and fire, suggesting they all share the characteristic of being beneficial when controlled but destructive when they exert control over an individual. This comparison follows the grammatical structure where like is followed by a noun or noun phrase to show similarity in nature or function.

Explanation

The word triumph refers to a great victory, success, or achievement. Its primary meaning involves overcoming an opponent or obstacle to reach a state of winning. The word defeat represents the direct opposite, signifying the act of being overcome by an opponent or failing to achieve victory. Therefore, defeat serves as the most appropriate antonym because it denotes the loss or failure that stands in contrast to the success or victory implied by triumph.

Explanation

The word farce refers to a situation or event that is a sham, a mockery, or an absurd pretense lacking in substance and genuine truth. In the context of the sentence, it implies that the notion of democracy is being treated as something hollow or ridiculous rather than something genuine. The term reality signifies the state of things as they actually exist, representing facts and the actual state of affairs. Because reality denotes what is true and substantial while a farce denotes what is deceptive and hollow, it serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The word wax, when used as a verb, refers to the process of increasing in size, quantity, intensity, or power. It is most frequently used in astronomy to describe the moon as its visible illuminated surface grows from a new moon to a full moon. In contrast, the word wane means to decrease in size, extent, or degree, or to decline in power or importance. Because wax denotes growth and wane denotes a gradual falling off or diminution, they are direct antonyms often paired together to describe cyclical changes.

Explanation

The word Pattron is incorrectly spelt. The correct spelling is Patron, which refers to a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause. It is derived from the Latin word patronus and is spelled with a single letter t.

Explanation

The word scattered means to be spread out, dispersed, or thrown in various random directions. In the context of documents, it indicates that they are lying apart from each other in a disorganized manner. The term gathered is the direct antonym as it means to bring together into one group, place, or collection. While scattered implies separation, gathered implies the act of collecting and organizing items into a single heap or set.

Explanation

Proper nouns like Supriya do not require a definite article, while superlative adjectives like best must be preceded by the article the. Option B correctly follows these rules of English grammar.

Explanation

The word heir refers to a person who is legally entitled to inherit the property, rank, or title of another upon that person's death. In the context of a throne or a monarchy, an heir to the throne is the individual next in line to become the sovereign. The sentence specifies a duty to behave in a manner befitting such a significant social and political status, which confirms that the intended meaning relates to succession and inheritance.

Explanation

The sentence Pudding had already been prepared by her is in the passive voice of the past perfect tense, which follows the structure Subject + had been + V3 + by + Object. To convert this into the active voice, the structure must be changed to Subject + had + V3 + Object. In this process, the object of the preposition by (her) becomes the subject of the active sentence (She), and the subject of the passive sentence (Pudding) becomes the object. Maintaining the same tense and the adverb already, the active voice sentence becomes She had already prepared pudding.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the passive voice and uses the simple past tense, as indicated by the auxiliary verb was followed by the past participle laughed. To convert this to the active voice, the agent or doer of the action (all her classmates) must become the subject of the sentence. The verb must then be changed to its simple past active form, which is laughed. The recipient of the action (Darshana) moves to the object position. In this transformation, the preposition at remains attached to the verb to maintain the phrasal verb laugh at. The resulting active voice construction follows the structure: Subject (All her classmates) + Verb (laughed at) + Object (Darshana).

Explanation

The paragraph follows a chronological sequence of a dialogue beginning with sentence C, which sets the scene as the woman enters and initiates the conversation by asking a question. Sentence D provides the logical answer to her question, where the narrator specifies the request for her to grin. Sentence A follows naturally as her defiant yet playful response to that request. The exchange concludes with sentence B, featuring the narrator's final retort and the woman's reaction of laughter, which provides a definitive resolution to the interaction.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical sequence of investigation by the narrator. Sentence B establishes the context by describing the three physical approaches to the bridge. Sentence A naturally follows as it mentions the narrator examining those specific three approaches before crossing the bridge to check the Kedarnath pilgrim road. Sentence D continues the chronological sequence of inspection using the transition word next to describe the examination of the footpath where the goat was killed. Finally, sentence C concludes the narrative sequence by stating the narrator is satisfied with the findings from these examinations, leading to the decision to execute a plan involving the bridges.

Explanation

In the given context, the word obtuse describes someone who is slow to understand, insensitive, or lacking in mental sharpness and perception. Its most appropriate antonym is astute, which refers to a person who is mentally sharp, clever, and possesses the ability to accurately assess situations or people. While an obtuse person fails to grasp details or lacks insight, an astute person is characterized by their quick-wittedness and keen discernment, making the two words direct opposites in terms of mental acuity.

Explanation

The verb raised is the past tense of the transitive verb raise, which means to bring up a subject or to pose a question for discussion. Transitive verbs require a direct object to receive the action, and in this sentence, many questions functions as that direct object. Using raised correctly indicates that the subject initiated the action of asking questions. Additionally, because questions is a plural countable noun, it is correctly preceded by the determiner many rather than much, which is reserved for uncountable nouns.

Explanation

The idiom to save money for a rainy day means to reserve or put aside money for a time in the future when it might be needed unexpectedly, especially during a period of financial hardship or emergency. In the context of opening a savings account to save money for later, this idiom perfectly captures the intent of preparing for unforeseen circumstances or future needs by being financially prudent.

Explanation

An analogy is a cognitive process or linguistic expression that identifies a similarity between the internal structures or features of two different things. It serves as the logical basis for a comparison, allowing one to explain or clarify a complex or unfamiliar concept by highlighting how it functions similarly to something more well-known. In logic and rhetoric, an analogy relies on the assumption that if two systems are alike in some respects, they are likely to be alike in others as well.

Explanation

The idiom beat about the bush refers to the act of talking indirectly or avoiding the main topic of discussion. It characterizes a communication style where the speaker uses many words to circumvent a subject, often because they are hesitant, nervous, or trying to avoid making a firm commitment or giving a direct answer. The phrase originated from the practice of hunters beating bushes to flush out birds or game, essentially circling the area rather than going straight to the center. In modern usage, it specifically describes the behavior of avoiding a direct statement or a definitive position on a matter.

Explanation

The word Abendance is misspelled. The correct spelling is Abundance, which refers to a very large quantity or a plentiful supply of something. It is derived from the Latin abundantia, and the standard English spelling requires the vowel u in the second syllable and the suffix -ance.