SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The paragraph begins with sentence C, which introduces the olive tree by defining it, stating its origin in the Mediterranean, and mentioning its common uses. This provides the necessary context for the reader. Sentence A follows by introducing the biological characteristics of the tree, specifically its slow growth and long lifespan. Sentence B then builds on sentence A by providing specific data regarding the typical age of the trees and mentioning exceptional cases of extreme age to illustrate the point. Finally, sentence D serves as the conclusion, using the transition phrase As a result to connect the botanical facts of its longevity mentioned in the previous sentences to its reputation as the immortal tree in both mythology and botany.

Explanation

A daredevil is defined as a person who takes unnecessary risks and enjoys performing dangerous stunts or activities. This term specifically refers to someone who acts in a reckless or bold manner, often disregarding their own safety to the extent that observers might consider their behavior foolish or stupid. The word captures both the element of seeking thrill through danger and the lack of prudence associated with such actions.

Explanation

The sentence is intended to be in the Present Perfect Continuous tense, which is used to describe an action that began in the past and is still continuing. The grammatical structure for this tense follows the formula: Subject + has/have + been + present participle (verb+ing). In this sentence, the word being is used incorrectly in place of the past participle been. While being is a present participle used in continuous passive constructions or as a gerund, the auxiliary verb has must be followed by the past participle been to form the perfect aspect. Therefore, the phrase should correctly read as has not been making.

Explanation

The word brisk is used to describe an action that is quick, energetic, and active. In the context of physical exercise, a brisk walk refers to walking at a fast and vigorous pace to stimulate blood circulation and improve health. The word slow refers to moving or operating at a low speed or a pace that lacks quickness and intensity. Therefore, slow is the direct antonym of brisk because it represents the opposite degree of speed and energy in movement.

Explanation

The word partial describes a state of favoring one side in a dispute or being biased and unfair. Its most appropriate antonym is unbiased, which refers to being impartial, neutral, and showing no prejudice for or against any party or opinion. While partial indicates a lack of objectivity, unbiased signifies a fair and balanced perspective.

Explanation

The word treacherous refers to someone who is guilty of or involved in betrayal or deception, essentially being untrustworthy or unfaithful to a cause or person. In the context of the sentence, it describes leaders who acted in bad faith, leading to the decision to leave the party. Disloyal is a direct synonym as it defines a lack of loyalty or failure to maintain allegiance to a person, group, or set of principles, perfectly capturing the meaning of treacherous in this context.

Explanation

The phrase with a view to is an idiomatic prepositional expression used to indicate purpose or intention. In this construction, the word to functions as a preposition rather than as part of an infinitive verb. According to standard English grammar rules, a preposition must be followed by a noun or a gerund. Consequently, the verb following this phrase must take the -ing form. Substituting become with the gerund becoming satisfies this grammatical requirement.

Explanation

The word trivial refers to things that are of little value, importance, or consequence, often described as minor or trifling. In contrast, significant denotes something that is sufficiently great, important, or worthy of attention. Because significant represents a state of being important or noteworthy, it acts as the direct opposite of trivial, which describes something unimportant.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice in the past perfect tense, which follows the structure: Object + had + not + been + past participle (V3) + by + Subject. To convert this into the active voice, the subject and object are swapped, and the auxiliary verb been is removed. The active voice formula for the past perfect tense is: Subject + had + not + past participle (V3) + Object. Applying this, Mr. Gupta becomes the subject, the verb remains had not posted, and the article becomes the object, resulting in the sentence: Mr. Gupta had not posted the article.

Explanation

Sentence C serves as the introduction by establishing India's context as a large, successful, and diverse nation. Sentence B elaborates on this diversity, identifying it as a unique feature that occasionally results in localized problems. Sentence D introduces a contrast using the word But, comparing India's situation favorably against smaller, monolithic societies that face even greater difficulties. Sentence A acts as the logical conclusion, beginning with the transition So to summarize that the aforementioned problems should not be perceived as a national failure. This sequence moves from a general introduction to a specific characteristic, followed by a comparison, and ending with a reasoned deduction.

Explanation

The idiom go back to the drawing board means to begin planning a project or idea again from the very beginning because a previous attempt was unsuccessful. The phrase originated during World War II, specifically from a cartoon by Peter Arno in The New Yorker, depicting an engineer walking away from a crashed plane while carrying a roll of blueprints. It implies that since the current design or strategy has failed, one must return to the initial conceptual stage—symbolized by the drawing board—to develop a completely new approach or starting point.

Explanation

The word abate means to reduce in amount, degree, or intensity, or to make something less widespread or severe. In the context of the sentence, it refers to diminishing a feeling of listlessness. The antonym for a word that signifies reduction or lessening is increase, which means to become greater in size, amount, degree, or intensity. Since abate denotes a downward trend or mitigation, increase represents the opposite upward trend or intensification.

Explanation

In medical contexts, the verb prescribe is specifically used to describe the action of a healthcare professional authorizing the use of a particular medicine or treatment for a patient. When a doctor determines a specific dosage, such as two tablets per day, they are issuing a formal medical instruction, making prescribed the most accurate and idiomatic term for this professional recommendation.

Explanation

The sentence is composed of words that all adhere to standard English spelling conventions. The verb abide is correctly spelled with an e at the end, and the adjective certain uses the ai vowel digraph in the second syllable. The plural noun instructions correctly follows the t-i-o-n suffix pattern. Additionally, the word society is spelled accurately using the i-e-t-y ending. All other terms, including needs and every, are orthographically precise, making the entire statement free from errors.

Explanation

The phrase "by a chance" is grammatically incorrect because "by chance" is a fixed idiomatic expression that does not take an article. Therefore, the indefinite article "a" should be removed from segment B.

Explanation

The idiom up the creek, which is often used in the fuller form up the creek without a paddle, refers to being in a difficult, awkward, or troublesome situation where one lacks the necessary means to resolve a problem. In the context of the sentence, failing to submit homework leads to a predicament or negative consequences, making the phrase an appropriate colloquial substitute for being in trouble.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the past perfect tense, following the structure: Subject + had + past participle + object. To convert a sentence in the past perfect tense into the passive voice, the construction must be: Object + had + been + past participle + by + subject. In this case, the object a decree moves to the subject position, the auxiliary verb had is followed by been and the past participle passed, and the original subject the ruler of the community is introduced by the preposition by. The adverb already is placed between had and been to maintain its functional position within the verb phrase.

Explanation

In the context of role models, to follow signifies the act of imitating or copying the conduct, virtues, and achievements of another person as a guide for one's own behavior. The word emulate is the most precise synonym in this setting because it specifically refers to the endeavor to match or equal someone's example through imitation. It implies an active pursuit of the standards and qualities represented by the model to improve oneself.

Explanation

The term waif refers to a person, especially a child, who has no home or friends and is often found neglected or abandoned on the streets. It is derived from the Old Northern French word waif, which originally referred to unclaimed property or ownerless animals. In modern English usage, it specifically describes a homeless child who appears thin, pale, and forsaken, perfectly matching the description of a neglected child who spends most of his or her time on the streets without a permanent residence.

Explanation

The sentence follows the standard grammatical structure of adjective/adverb + enough + to-infinitive, which is used to indicate that a sufficient degree or quantity of something has been reached to trigger a particular result. In this context, the narrator had consumed a sufficient amount of alcohol to reach a state of lowered inhibition, leading to the consequence of being compelled to describe his poem. The word enough acts as an adverb of degree modifying the participle drunk, establishing the necessary threshold for the subsequent action described in the infinitive phrase to be compelled.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the narrator is describing a creative concept to a poet. The phrase thinking of is used to indicate the mental formulation or conceptualization of an idea. Since the narrator is about to describe a poem that exists as a monologue in his mind, the verb thinking followed by the preposition of correctly expresses that he is contemplating or planning the structure and theme of this specific literary work.

Explanation

The sentence describes the structure of a poem that the student is imagining, which is intended to be composed of various ornate literary devices known as euphuisms. In this context, the word series is the most appropriate collective noun to describe a sequence or a succession of these stylistic elements occurring one after another within the poem. It fits the grammatical structure of the phrase and aligns with the description of the poem as a monologue that translates various experiences into symmetrical, patterned literary forms.

Explanation

The context of the passage describes the book in question as famously foolish, implying that the student holds a negative or dismissive view of it. The word contempt refers to the feeling that something is worthless or beneath consideration, which fits logically alongside boredom to describe the student's attitude toward the text. By translating his contempt and boredom into a euphuism, the student is attempting to turn his intellectual dislike and lack of interest into a structured, symmetrical poetic form.

Explanation

The passage describes a scene where the narrator provides a detailed account of a poem he intends to write, covering its structure, themes, and stylistic elements. Earlier in the text, the narrator explicitly mentions being compelled to describe the poem to the famous poet. Therefore, the word explained fits the context perfectly as it refers back to the narrator's act of conveying these specific details and concepts to his listener. The poet's sympathetic and rhythmic nodding serves as a reaction to the information being shared with him, which then prompts his advice regarding the distinction between poems one writes and poems one merely discusses.

Explanation

Convalescence refers specifically to the time spent recovering from an illness or medical treatment, characterized by the gradual return of health, strength, and vigor. It is derived from the Latin word convalescere, where com- functions as an intensive prefix and valescere means to begin to grow strong.

Explanation

The word nefarious is defined as being wicked, villainous, or criminal in nature. In the context of the sentence, the teacher allowed the individual to enter because his intentions were perceived to be the opposite of evil. Pious serves as the most appropriate antonym because it refers to being virtuous, devout, or morally right. While often associated with religious devotion, it broadly signifies a spirit of righteousness and goodness, directly contrasting with the moral depravity implied by nefarious.

Explanation

The word is misspelled because it contains an unnecessary second g. The correct spelling is Agreement, which is formed by adding the suffix ment to the base verb agree. It refers to a state of harmony in opinion or a formal arrangement between parties.

Explanation

The idiom on the ball is used to describe someone who is alert, well-informed, and efficient. It implies that a person is quick to understand a situation and is performing their duties with competence and speed. The phrase likely originates from sports where a player needs to keep their eyes on the ball to react effectively, thus signifying being highly attentive and capable in one's actions.

Explanation

The sentence uses the past perfect tense, which follows the grammatical structure of subject + had + past participle (V₃). In the phrase had expect, the verb expect is in its base form, whereas the rule requires the past participle form expected. Therefore, the part had expect is grammatically incorrect and must be replaced with had expected to maintain tense consistency.

Explanation

Ductile refers to a physical property of materials, specifically metals, that allows them to sustain significant plastic deformation under tensile stress. This means the substance can be stretched, pulled, or hammered into various shapes, such as being drawn out into a thin wire, without breaking or cracking. In materials science, ductility is the measure of a material's ability to be elongated or deformed before failure, making it the precise term for being capable of being pulled into different shapes.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple past tense (did not eat). When converting a simple past tense sentence from active to passive voice, the construction follows the rule: Subject (the original object) + was/were + past participle (V3) + by + object (the original subject). In this case, the object a single morsel of food is singular, so it requires the auxiliary verb was followed by the negative particle not and the past participle form eaten. The phrase at his daughter's wedding remains as the adverbial adjunct.

Explanation

The word accepted means to receive or treat something as valid, sufficient, or satisfactory. In the context of providing an excuse, it indicates that the teacher acknowledged the reason and allowed it to stand as a justification for being late. The term rejected serves as the direct antonym because it means to refuse to accept, recognize, or approve something. When someone rejects an excuse, they dismiss it as invalid or refuse to believe it, which is the exact opposite action of accepting it.

Explanation

The term aviary refers to a large enclosure, building, or cage specifically designed for keeping birds in a simulated natural environment. Derived from the Latin word avis, meaning bird, an aviary provides significant space compared to a standard birdcage, allowing the inhabitants to fly and interact within a confined yet spacious area. These structures are commonly utilized in zoos, research facilities, and botanical gardens to house and display various avian species.

Explanation

The term retribution refers to a punishment that is considered morally right or deserved, often specifically associated with divine vengeance for a crime or sin. Wickedness denotes the quality of being evil or morally wrong in character or action. Consequently, punishment for wrongdoing is the most accurate substitute as it directly mirrors the meaning of a penalty imposed for committing immoral or sinful acts. In many historical and theological contexts, disabilities were viewed through this lens as a form of cosmic or divine justice for an individual's past transgressions.

Explanation

The idiom jumped the gun means to act prematurely or to start something before the appropriate time, usually due to over-eagerness or haste. It originates from track and field, where a runner starts the race before the starting pistol has been fired. In this scenario, the speaker's excitement led them to hit the send button before performing the essential task of attaching the required document, representing an impulsive action taken before the process was actually ready to be completed.

Explanation

A cruse is a small earthenware pot or jar typically used for holding liquids such as water, oil, or honey. In the context of the sentence, it refers to the vessel placed outdoors by the villagers to capture and store rainwater. This term specifically describes a functional container suitable for the manual collection of fluids in a traditional setting.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the past perfect tense, indicated by the auxiliary verb had followed by the past participle eaten. When converting a sentence from active to passive voice in the past perfect tense, the structure follows the formula: Object + had been + past participle (V3) + by + Subject.

In this transformation, the object all the pastries becomes the new subject. The active verb had eaten changes to the passive form had been eaten. The original subject the workers is introduced by the preposition by. The subordinate clause before the day broke remains unchanged as it provides the temporal context for the action. Thus, the passive construction correctly reflects the completed action in the past relative to another past point.

Explanation

Sentence A introduces the subjects, Ratan and Moti, and establishes their character trait of being idlers. Sentence C follows by introducing their wives and contrasting the husbands' laziness with the wives' hard work and role as breadwinners. Sentence B elaborates on the positive environment the wives created through their labor, specifically mentioning the introduction of order and industry in the household. Sentence D concludes the paragraph by using the demonstrative pronoun this to refer to the situation where the wives performed all the work, which logically resulted in the husbands becoming even more idle.

Explanation

A scam is a fraudulent or deceptive scheme used to cheat someone out of money or property. The word swindle is its direct synonym, as it refers specifically to the act of using deception or fraud to obtain money or possessions from another person. In the context of an investment scheme designed to trick participants, swindle perfectly matches the meaning of a dishonest and illegal operation intended for financial gain through trickery.

Explanation

Sentence B functions as the introductory statement of the paragraph by establishing the author's intent to categorize three distinct types of medical practitioners in African societies. This sets a logical framework for the following sentences to define each type in a specific order. Sentence A identifies the first category, the herbalist, providing details about their reputation. Sentence D follows sequentially by introducing the second group, the divine healers. Sentence C concludes the sequence by describing the third practitioner, the witch doctor. This structure follows a clear chronological and numerical progression from the general classification in B to the first, second, and third types in A, D, and C respectively.

Explanation

The grammatical error in the sentence is a violation of subject-verb agreement. In the phrase One of these boxes, the actual subject of the sentence is the singular pronoun One, while these boxes is part of a prepositional phrase acting as a modifier. According to the rules of English grammar, when the subject of a sentence is One, it requires a singular verb regardless of any plural nouns that follow it in a prepositional phrase. Consequently, the plural verb have must be replaced with the singular verb has to correctly agree with the singular subject One.

Explanation

The word sever means to cut off, separate, or divide a part from the whole, often by force or slicing. Ramify refers to the act of dividing, branching out, or splitting into different parts or subdivisions. In the context of the sentence and the provided options, ramify serves as the most appropriate synonym because it conveys the underlying concept of division and separation into distinct segments, aligning with the action of cutting or splitting represented by severing.

Explanation

The word abandoned refers to something that has been deserted, cast off, or no longer maintained or used. In the context of the sentence, it signifies that the port was left behind and its operations were ceased. The antonym for this action must represent the continuation of possession, use, or maintenance. The word kept is the past tense of keep, which means to continue to have or retain something in one's possession or to provide necessary maintenance and care, making it the direct opposite of abandoning.

Explanation

The sentence discusses the socio-economic goal of ensuring that wealth is spread more equitably across different sections of society through job creation for semi-skilled and unskilled workers. Distribution of wealth is a standard economic term that refers to the manner in which the aggregate wealth or income of a nation is divided among its population. In this context, providing employment to those at the lower economic strata allows for a more balanced allocation of financial resources, which is precisely what the term distribution signifies in a macro-economic sense.

Explanation

The sentence establishes a direct comparison between the recruitment patterns of the IT industry and the healthcare industry. While the IT industry is noted for hiring individuals from affluent and upper-middle-class backgrounds, the healthcare industry is highlighted for providing employment to those from lower economic strata. The conjunction whereas is used specifically to introduce a clause that contrasts with or balances the information presented in the preceding clause, making it the most logical fit for connecting these two distinct socioeconomic observations.

Explanation

The term reaches is used to describe the extent of service delivery and accessibility within a specific sector. In the context of the passage, it highlights the disparity between the healthcare industry's massive economic value and its limited demographic coverage. While the industry is a multi-trillion rupee entity, its services only extend to or provide access for a small percentage of the global population. Reaches accurately conveys the idea of geographical or social penetration and the scope of service provision to people worldwide, illustrating the gap that policymakers need to address.

Explanation

The passage emphasizes the healthcare industry's potential as a major economic driver that provides significant employment to the lower economic strata. In the context of the sentence, the word influence is the most appropriate choice because it signifies the industry's ability to have a profound effect on the development, growth, and overall state of the economy. Since the text compares the healthcare industry's future role to that of machines in the previous century, it suggests that healthcare will be a force that shapes economic trends and wealth distribution, thereby influencing the global economic landscape.

Explanation

The idiom put in place means to establish or implement something such as a rule, system, or policy so that it is ready to function. In the context of the passage, policymakers are urged to take active steps to implement specific health care strategies. The phrase to put the right policies in place soon logically completes the sentence by describing the necessary action of instituting these frameworks to achieve the desired economic outcome.

Explanation

The sentence features a compound subject consisting of "The boys" and "the teacher" joined by the conjunction "and." In English grammar, when two or more distinct nouns are connected by "and," the resulting subject is plural and requires a plural verb. Therefore, the singular verb "wants" must be replaced with the plural form "want" to ensure proper subject-verb agreement. Furthermore, the verb "want" typically takes a to-infinitive object to express an intention or desire. The construction "to win" correctly uses the particle "to" followed by the base form of the verb "win," fulfilling the required grammatical structure for the sentence.

Explanation

The word compelled signifies the act of forcing or obliging someone to perform an action, typically leaving them with no alternative or choice. It suggests a sense of coercion or irresistible pressure from external sources. The term induced serves as an antonym because it refers to the act of persuading or influencing someone to do something through motivation, reason, or incentive rather than force. While compulsion is rooted in necessity and pressure, induction is rooted in persuasion and choice, representing the opposite method of bringing about an action or decision.