SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The phrase as well as functions as a multi-word conjunction meaning in addition to or and. In the context of the sentence, it is used to connect the various skills the book encourages children to develop. By using as well as, the sentence successfully links the activities of reading and writing letters and numbers with the additional skill of counting, indicating that the book provides practice for all these educational components simultaneously.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the Present Continuous tense in the interrogative negative form. To convert a Present Continuous sentence into passive voice, the structure follows the formula: Is/Am/Are + Object + (not) + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject.

In this sentence, the object is a car, which is singular and takes the auxiliary verb is. The continuous aspect is maintained by using being, and the main verb driving is changed to its past participle form driven. The subject he is changed to its objective form him. Following this rule, the sentence transforms into Is a car not being driven by him?

Explanation

The word delegate means to entrust a task or responsibility to another person, typically a subordinate, thereby transferring the authority or workload. In a management context, it involves giving away portions of one's duties to others. The word retain means to keep possession of, continue to hold, or refuse to part with something. Consequently, retain serves as the direct antonym because it describes the act of keeping work for oneself instead of distributing it.

Explanation

The word Innate refers to qualities, abilities, or characteristics that an individual is born with, signifying that they are natural, inborn, or inherent rather than acquired. In contrast, Learned refers to knowledge, skills, or behaviors that are developed and gained through experience, study, or being taught after birth. Therefore, Learned serves as the most appropriate antonym because it describes the process of acquisition through external influence or effort rather than being an internal biological predisposition present from birth.

Explanation

The word incredible is derived from the Latin roots in- meaning not and credibilis meaning worthy of belief. It is used to describe something that is so extraordinary, improbable, or extreme that it is difficult to accept as true or convincing. In English, unbelievable serves as a direct synonym because it also characterizes information, events, or feats that surpass the limits of what is normally considered possible or credible. Both words are frequently used interchangeably to express amazement or skepticism regarding the truth or scale of a particular situation.

Explanation

The sentence describes a general physical characteristic of Radium, which requires the Simple Present Tense. In this structure, the relative pronoun that refers back to the singular noun phrase a white powder. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject in the third person takes a verb ending in s or es. Therefore, the singular verb form looks like is necessary to agree with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.

Explanation

A vendetta is defined as a prolonged and bitter feud, often characterized by a series of retaliatory acts or a long-standing grudge between individuals or families. It represents a state of intense conflict or a persistent dispute. In this context, a disagreement serves as the closest synonym because it denotes a state of being at odds or a lack of consensus, which is the underlying essence of any feud or hostile relationship. While a vendetta is a more extreme form of conflict, it fundamentally arises from and represents a deep-seated disagreement between opposing parties.

Explanation

The sentence requires a relative pronoun to refer back to the antecedent people. In English grammar, who is the appropriate relative pronoun used to refer to persons, whereas which is reserved for inanimate objects and animals. Additionally, the antecedent people is a plural noun, which necessitates the use of the plural helping verb are to maintain subject-verb agreement. The phrase who are looking to expand correctly identifies the subjects as humans and maintains the plural present continuous structure of the original sentence.

Explanation

The word transient is used to describe something that lasts for only a short period of time or is ephemeral in nature. Its antonym is permanent, which refers to something that is intended to last indefinitely or remain unchanged and enduring over time.

Explanation

In English grammar, the definite article the must be used before nouns that represent unique celestial bodies or one-of-a-kind natural entities. Since the sky is a specific, singular entity known to everyone, it requires the definite article for the sentence to be grammatically correct. The segment should properly read as The sky appears blue. This rule is consistent with the usage of the definite article for other unique objects such as the sun, the moon, and the earth.

Explanation

An orphan is a child who has lost one or both of their parents, typically due to death. The term originates from the Greek word orphanos, which means deprived or bereft. While in specific legal or humanitarian contexts a distinction is sometimes made between a single orphan (one parent deceased) and a double orphan (both parents deceased), the term generally identifies any child who lacks parental care and protection due to the death of their parents.

Explanation

The word progress is correctly spelled as p-r-o-g-r-e-s-s. It functions as a noun in this context, referring to the forward movement, advancement, or development toward a better or more complete state. In the given sentence, it describes the significant and rapid improvements made in the field of science. The spelling is characterized by a double s at the end and a single r after the g.

Explanation

The word firm describes a physical quality of being solid, compact, and resistant to external force. It specifically denotes a material or object that does not change shape or compress easily when subjected to weight or pressure, which perfectly matches the definition of having a consistency that does not yield to pressure.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the passive voice of the present continuous tense, as shown by the structure is being built. To convert this into the active voice, the agent Master Yadav becomes the subject of the sentence, and the receiver the windmill becomes the object. The verb phrase must then change to the active form of the present continuous tense following the formula Subject + is/am/are + present participle (V-ing). Consequently, Master Yadav is building the windmill correctly expresses the action where the doer is the subject.

Explanation

The idiom to blow one's own trumpet means to boast or talk boastfully about one's own achievements, talents, or successes. It is a common figurative expression where the act of loudly announcing one's presence or importance is likened to playing a trumpet. In the given sentence, replacing the word saxophone with trumpet restores the phrase to its standard idiomatic form to describe someone who constantly brags about themselves.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical chronological and thematic progression starting with sentence D, which establishes the historical origin of modern graphology in the 19th century. Sentence C transitions the topic to a modern professional context, specifically its role in British management. Sentence B then elaborates on this role by identifying that many companies utilize it for executive recruitment and analysis. Finally, sentence A provides specific details about the results of this analysis, where the pronoun "them" refers back to the "companies" mentioned in sentence B, explaining how the practice reveals the temperaments, strengths, and weaknesses of candidates.

Explanation

The idiom blow something out of (all) proportion refers to the act of exaggerating the importance or seriousness of a particular event or situation. It describes a reaction where someone treats a minor problem or a small incident as if it were a major crisis, thereby losing a realistic perspective on the matter. The phrase implies that the intensity of the reaction is not justified by the facts of the situation.

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically sound and follows the standard rules of English syntax. The subject "A celestial body or astronomical object" consists of two singular nouns linked by the disjunctive conjunction "or," which correctly takes the singular verb "is." The list of complements—"thing," "association," and "configuration"—maintains parallel structure as a series of nouns. These nouns are appropriately modified by the compound adjective "naturally occurring." Furthermore, the relative clause "that happens in the visible universe" is correctly constructed, using the relative pronoun "that" to refer to the preceding nouns, with the verb "happens" used in the sense of existing or being present within a specific space. There are no errors in subject-verb agreement, punctuation, or word choice.

Explanation

The correct spelling for the leafy vegetable is cabbage. This word follows standard English orthographic patterns where a short vowel sound, such as the initial a, is often followed by a double consonant like bb to maintain its phonetic value. The term originates from the Old French word caboche, meaning head, and uses the common suffix -age found in many English nouns.

Explanation

The word main is an adjective that refers to something that is primary, principal, or most important in importance or stature. In the given sentence, it correctly modifies the noun purpose to indicate that the primary or chief objective of the coaching sessions was to identify talented players. This usage establishes the central reason for the activity, making it the grammatically and semantically appropriate choice for the blank.

Explanation

Sentence A introduces the central topic, the Quipu, and defines its historical context and primary function as a memory aid for the Incas, making it the necessary starting point for the paragraph. Sentence B follows by describing the physical attributes of the strings, specifically the use of various colors. Sentence C provides the specific symbolic meanings associated with the colors mentioned in the previous sentence, explicitly linking yellow to money and red to warfare. Sentence D concludes the sequence by offering a practical, quantitative example of the symbolism established in sentence C, showing how the combination of color and knots functioned as a counting system.

Explanation

The passage establishes a functional analogy between the eye and a camera, identifying the retina as a reusable film. In this context, the retina serves as the underlying base or the essential platform where light is captured and images are projected. The word foundation accurately characterizes the retina's role as the structural and functional ground upon which the visual image is established before being processed by the brain.

Explanation

The retina serves as the light-sensitive inner lining of the eye, acting much like the film in a traditional camera or a projection screen. For an individual to see a clear and sharp image, the eye's optical system—comprising the cornea and the lens—must refract incoming light rays so that they converge precisely on the anatomical boundary of this tissue. This specific area where the light rays meet to form a focused image is the surface of the retina. Since the passage discusses the physical placement of the image to ensure it fits the retina's curve and matches its screen-like function, surface is the most appropriate term to describe the plane where the scattered light must be concentrated.

Explanation

The eye's optical system relies on the combined refractive power of both the cornea and the lens to ensure that light rays converge precisely on the retina. While the cornea performs the initial and most significant refraction of light entering the eye, the crystalline lens adjusts its shape to fine-tune the focus. Because these two structures act in coordination as components of a single functional unit to produce a clear image, they are described as working together.

Explanation

In the context of medical procedures and recovery, the term eliminating is used to describe the removal of a requirement or necessity. The passage explains that because corneal tissue heals and rebonds almost instantly after laser surgery, the requirement for manual closure using sutures is removed. Therefore, the immediate healing process succeeds in eliminating the need for stitches by making them redundant.

Explanation

The sentence emphasizes the extreme precision and microscopic scale of the cuts made by a laser beam during surgery. A micron is one-millionth of a meter, making a quarter micron (0.25 ) an incredibly minute distance. When describing measurements of length that are tiny or indicate high precision, the adjective small is used to characterize the dimension. The passage further illustrates this microscopic scale by comparing the laser's capability to the width of a human hair, confirming that the cuts being described are exceptionally small.

Explanation

Plutocracy refers to a system of government or a society that is ruled or controlled by the wealthy class. The term originates from the Greek words ploutos, which means wealth, and kratos, which means rule or power. In such a regime, political power is concentrated in the hands of individuals who possess significant financial resources, allowing them to influence or dictate public policy and governance to serve their own economic interests.

Explanation

Clandestine is an adjective used to describe something that is kept secret or done private, often because it is illicit or unauthorized. When describing an affair as clandestine, it implies that the relationship is intentionally hidden from public knowledge or scrutiny. The word known refers to something that is widely recognized, familiar, or publicly acknowledged. Because it describes a state of being open and visible rather than concealed, known is the direct antonym of clandestine.

Explanation

The word absurd is used to describe something that is wildly unreasonable, illogical, or preposterous. In the context of art, it often refers to works that are nonsensical or deviate significantly from rational representation. The word realistic serves as the most appropriate antonym because it describes art that represents subjects as they appear in everyday life, adhering to accuracy, logic, and the physical laws of nature. While absurd art thrives on the irrational, realistic art focuses on depicting the world as it truly is, making these two terms conceptually opposite.

Explanation

The sentence Most of Earth's surface is covered by water is in the passive voice using the simple present tense, indicated by the auxiliary verb is followed by the past participle covered. To convert this to the active voice, the agent performing the action, which is water, becomes the subject of the sentence. In the simple present active voice, the verb must agree with the singular uncountable subject water, resulting in the form covers. Therefore, the active voice construction places water at the beginning, followed by the present tense verb and then the original subject as the object.

Explanation

The segment Pritha will been cooking contains a grammatical error because the modal verb will must always be followed by the base form of a verb. The past participle been cannot follow will directly without an intervening auxiliary. To indicate a future action in progress, the future continuous tense should be used with the structure will + be + verb-ing, resulting in Pritha will be cooking. Alternatively, if the intention is to use the future perfect continuous tense to describe an action continuing until a specific point, the structure will + have + been + verb-ing is required, resulting in Pritha will have been cooking. The construction will been is syntactically impossible in standard English.

Explanation

The sentence requires the use of correlative conjunctions, which are pairs of words used to connect balanced clauses, phrases, or words. The word either is always paired with the conjunction or to present a choice between two alternatives. Consequently, the construction either you or he is grammatically correct to indicate that one of the two individuals must pay for the damage.

Explanation

The word scent is a noun that refers to a distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant or fragrant. In the context of perfume, it is the appropriate term to describe the aroma or fragrance being emitted. This word is specifically used in English to denote smells associated with flowers, perfumes, or animals.

Explanation

Sentence D acts as the introductory statement by establishing the general context of anxiety in modern times. Sentence C follows by explaining the difficulty in recognizing the condition until it intensifies, which sets the stage for a detailed description of its progression. Sentences A and B form a logical pair describing this progression; A lists the early symptoms, and B provides a direct contrast using the word whereas to describe symptoms associated with advanced levels. This arrangement creates a clear thematic flow from the broad impact of the disorder to its specific diagnostic stages.

Explanation

The word Mispell is incorrectly spelt because it is formed by combining the prefix mis- with the root word spell. In English orthography, when a prefix ending in a specific consonant is added to a base word beginning with that same consonant, both letters are preserved. Consequently, mis- plus spell results in the correct spelling misspell, which features a double s. The spelling provided in the option erroneously omits one of these letters.

Explanation

The idiom to go to the dogs is used to describe a situation, person, or organization that is deteriorating or declining in quality, status, or condition. It signifies that something is becoming much worse than it used to be, often reaching a state of ruin, failure, or shameful neglect. The expression likely originates from the idea of scraps or spoiled food being fit only for dogs, or from the miserable condition of stray animals, symbolizing a complete lack of standards or prosperity.

Explanation

The word adamant describes a person who is unshakable in their belief or purpose and refuses to be persuaded or to change their mind. It conveys a sense of being unyielding and resolute. The word stubborn specifically refers to having a dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so. Both terms characterize a firm refusal to compromise or relent, making them synonyms.

Explanation

The segment She rarely approached nobody contains a double negative error. In English grammar, negative adverbs such as rarely, seldom, hardly, and scarcely already carry a negative meaning. When these adverbs are used in a sentence, they should be followed by indefinite pronouns like anybody or anyone rather than negative pronouns like nobody. Using rarely and nobody together creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. To rectify the error, the negative pronoun nobody should be replaced with the assertive pronoun anybody to correctly express that the subject almost never approached anyone to discuss her issues.

Explanation

The word randomly describes an action performed without a definite plan, purpose, or specific pattern, relying entirely on chance or haphazard selection. In contrast, systematically refers to an action carried out according to a fixed plan, organized method, or logical sequence. Since the two terms represent opposite approaches to a task—one being disorganized and chance-based while the other is orderly and methodical—systematically is the most appropriate antonym in this context.

Explanation

The active sentence is in the simple past tense, as indicated by the verb invented. To transform a simple past active sentence into the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, followed by the auxiliary verb was or were and the past participle of the main verb. Since the decimal system is a singular subject, it is paired with was. The original subject of the active sentence is then introduced using the preposition by. Following this grammatical rule, the passive construction is the decimal system was invented by the Mesopotamians.

Explanation

The idiom to take the wind out of someone's sails means to make someone feel less confident or enthusiastic about what they are doing. It originated from a nautical tactic where one ship would sail to the windward of another, thereby blocking the wind from the other ship's sails and causing it to lose its momentum. In this sentence, the speaker is asking the listener not to discourage them or deflate their confidence by making negative remarks about their life and future prospects.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a chronological and thematic progression regarding scientific interest in human origins. Sentence B initiates the sequence by introducing Charles Darwin's influence on the study of biological origins and affiliations. Sentence D logically follows B because the phrase "This interest" refers directly to the interest in biological origins mentioned in B, specifying that it was initially focused on phylogenetic origins. Sentence C then marks a transition in focus, noting a shift from phylogenetic to ontogenetic origins triggered by Gregor Mendel's work on heredity starting in the 1860s. Finally, sentence A concludes the sequence by describing the subsequent widespread acceptance and application of Mendel's laws to human characteristics. This structure moves logically from broad evolutionary concepts to the specific mechanics of genetic inheritance.

Explanation

The word exhausted serves as a precise synonym for the phrase extremely tired because it specifically describes a state of total physical or mental fatigue. In the context of working for an entire day, it accurately conveys the feeling of being completely drained of energy, making it the most appropriate substitute for the underlined segment.

Explanation

The word authentic refers to something that is original, real, and verifiable rather than being a copy or a fake. It describes an object, document, or piece of information that is of undisputed origin and can be trusted as being exactly what it is claimed to be. Genuine is a direct synonym because it also describes something that is true, actual, and not counterfeit. Both terms are used interchangeably to signify the legitimacy and truthfulness of an object, feeling, or person.

Explanation

Plagiarism is the act of using another person's ideas, words, or creative work and presenting them as one's own without providing proper credit or acknowledgement to the original author. This practice is considered a serious breach of ethics in academic, literary, and professional fields as it involves the deceptive appropriation of someone else's intellectual property. It encompasses various actions such as copying text directly, paraphrasing unique ideas without citation, or submitting a pre-existing work under a new name to gain unearned merit or recognition.

Explanation

The verb depend is used with the preposition on to express reliance or the need for something in order to function or continue. In the context of the sentence, it describes the human necessity for oil as a primary source of energy for movement and mobility. This phrasal construction is the standard way to indicate that one thing is contingent upon or supported by another.

Explanation

The phrase Without it sets up a hypothetical or conditional situation, which requires a modal verb like would or could to describe the potential state of affairs. Among the given options, could is the most grammatically appropriate choice to express how things might be different in this hypothetical scenario.

Explanation

The verb consume is the standard term used to describe the large-scale utilization of energy resources and raw materials like oil, coal, and gas. In the context of the passage, the sentences follow a parallel structure where the author describes the global usage of various fuels. This is reinforced by the immediate following sentence, which explicitly uses the word consume to describe the annual usage of coal and gas. Maintaining this consistency ensures grammatical and thematic coherence throughout the text while accurately depicting the process of using up natural resources to meet energy demands.

Explanation

The sentence requires the passive voice because the subject, Total, is the entity that was established rather than the entity performing the action of establishing. To describe an event that occurred at a specific point in the past, such as the year 1924, the simple past passive form is used. This is constructed using the auxiliary verb was or were followed by the past participle of the main verb. Since Total is a singular noun, the correct construction is was founded.

Explanation

The sentence describes a historical event that occurred in the year 2000, requiring the verb to be in the simple past tense to maintain consistency with the surrounding verbs such as joined and became. In a corporate context, the term merged is specifically used to describe the legal consolidation of two entities into one, especially when followed by the preposition with. The passage details the timeline of the French oil company Total, noting its union with its competitor Elf Aquitaine to form a single larger organization, making merged the grammatically and contextually appropriate choice.