SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word inquisitive describes a person who is curious, eager for knowledge, and inclined to ask many questions. Its most appropriate antonym is disinterested, which characterizes someone who lacks interest, curiosity, or concern regarding a particular subject or situation. While inquisitive implies an active mental engagement and a desire to investigate, disinterested denotes a state of indifference or a lack of involvement, representing the opposite psychological stance.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the negative form of the Simple Past tense in the passive voice, identified by the structure was not + past participle (prepared). To convert a Simple Past passive sentence into the active voice, the formula used is Subject + did not + Base Form of Verb (V1) + Object. The object of the preposition in the passive sentence (us) becomes the subject (We) in the active sentence, and the subject of the passive sentence (the meal) becomes the direct object. Applying this rule, the active form is We did not prepare the meal.

Explanation

To convert a sentence from the passive voice to the active voice, the object of the preposition by in the passive sentence becomes the subject of the active sentence. In the given sentence, the modal verb structure must be done indicates a requirement or obligation. The rule for converting modal passives (Subject + modal + be + V₃ + by + Agent) to active voice is Agent + modal + V₁ + Subject. Therefore, the agent you becomes the subject, the modal must remains the same, the past participle done changes to its base form do, and the homework becomes the direct object.

Explanation

The sentence is correctly spelled because it uses the proper form of the adverb definitely. This word is derived from the adjective definite by adding the suffix ly. According to standard English spelling rules, when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant to a word ending in a silent e, the e is typically retained. Furthermore, the word conference is spelled correctly using the suffix ence, which is the standard nominal ending for nouns derived from verbs like confer.

Explanation

The word organise means to plan, coordinate, or prepare the details of an event or activity to ensure it functions effectively. In the context of the sentence, it refers to the act of making the necessary preparations for a farewell party. Arrange is a direct synonym that signifies planning or putting things in a specific order or sequence for a particular purpose.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the primary subject and state, the city bus was overcrowded (P), which is immediately followed by the reason for this condition, as it was the last one of the evening (O). This combined situation leads to a logical consequence, and this gave an opportunity (Q). The phrase then identifies the specific group affected by this opportunity, to the pickpockets (R), and concludes with the infinitive phrase explaining the nature of that opportunity, to try their skill (S). This sequence follows a clear cause-and-effect structure where the physical environment (P, O) creates a circumstance (Q) that is exploited by certain actors (R) for a specific purpose (S).

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the plural noun students with the determiner every. In English grammar, every is a distributive determiner that must be followed by a singular countable noun. To make the sentence grammatically correct, the plural noun students should be replaced with the singular noun student, resulting in the phrase every student. Alternatively, if referring to a group as a whole, one would use all students. Since every focuses on the individual members of a group one by one, the singular form is required.

Explanation

The idiom break a leg is a traditional theatrical expression used to wish a performer good luck before they go on stage. It originates from a long-standing superstition in the performing arts community that directly wishing someone good luck might actually invite misfortune or result in a poor performance. By offering a mock-jinx or wishing for something negative, performers believe they can ward off bad luck and ensure a successful appearance. Over time, the phrase has transcended the theater and is now commonly used in various professional and personal contexts to encourage someone before a major speech, presentation, or audition.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces the primary subject, observatories, and serves as the most logical starting point for the paragraph. Sentence C follows by using the pronoun they to refer back to observatories and describes their physical location on mountain tops. Sentence D transitions the focus to the specific equipment housed within the observatory, noting that telescopes are placed inside the dome-shaped roof of the building. Sentence A concludes the sequence by using the demonstrative pronoun these to refer back to the telescopes and explaining their function in tracking stars as the Earth rotates.

Explanation

The word Abismal is incorrectly spelt. The correct spelling is Abysmal, which is derived from the noun abyss. It functions as an adjective meaning extremely bad, appalling, or resembling an abyss in depth. In English orthography, the root word maintains the letter y from its Greek origin, making Abysmal the standard spelling for describing something of very low quality or profound depth.

Explanation

The idiom a blessing in disguise refers to an unfortunate event or situation that initially seems bad or unlucky but eventually results in a positive outcome or provides an unexpected benefit. In the given context, Raju's job as a clerk had the negative attribute of a low salary, which made it seem like a poor situation at first. However, the job ultimately proved to be beneficial because it provided him with employment and financial security during a time when he might otherwise have been jobless. This exact scenario of a hidden benefit within an apparent misfortune is perfectly captured by this idiomatic expression.

Explanation

The sentence follows a logical subject-verb-complement structure to maintain grammatical coherence. It begins with the noun phrase (a) the use of animal research acting as the primary subject. This is immediately followed by the verb phrase (d) has been of considerable importance to establish the core assertion. The prepositional phrase (e) in the field of scientific and medical advancements defines the specific domain where this importance is relevant. The time-related phrase (b) throughout the past century provides the historical context for the first part of the sentence. The final part (c) and it continues to be used to understand many diseases is a coordinate clause that uses a conjunction to transition the narrative from past significance to current and future scientific utility. This arrangement ensures that the modifiers and the additional clause are placed correctly relative to the main subject and verb.

Explanation

The sentence identifies a general priority regarding consumer rights and the "relief open to them" in a hypothetical or recurring situation. When a clause introduced by "in case" describes a general condition or a future contingency, the present simple tense (e.g., "do not get" or "are unable to get") is the standard grammatical choice. The original segment incorrectly uses the past tense "did not get" and contains the redundant and grammatically awkward phrase "of goods and service." Option a) corrects these issues by streamlining the phrase into the concise idiom "their money's worth" and providing a more formal verb structure that aligns with the professional tone of the sentence.

Explanation

The adverb highly is the most appropriate substitute because it functions as an intensifier to denote a great degree or intensity. In the construction so... that, the word following so must indicate the extent or magnitude of the action to justify the subsequent result. While largely typically means mostly or mainly, highly correctly conveys that the pollution levels have increased to a significant or extreme level, which logically aligns with the severe consequence of them almost killing us.

Explanation

The word scary describes something that causes fear, dread, or alarm. An antonym for this term must evoke a sense of security, peace, or reassurance. Comforting is the most appropriate choice because it refers to things that alleviate distress, soothe anxiety, and provide a feeling of safety and ease, which is the direct emotional opposite of being frightened or scared.

Explanation

The segment contains a grammatical error in the use of the auxiliary verb following a modal. In English grammar, modal verbs such as will must be followed by the base form of the next verb. To form the future perfect tense, which indicates an action that will be completed by a specific time in the future, the modal will must be followed by the base form have and the past participle of the main verb. The use of had, which is the past or past participle form, is incorrect after a modal. Replacing will had graduated with will have graduated or will be graduating would resolve the error and allow the sentence to maintain proper tense and parallelism.

Explanation

The word allay means to diminish, soothe, or alleviate something, typically a feeling like fear, suspicion, or anxiety. To aggravate means to make a problem, injury, or unpleasant situation worse or more intense. In the context of the sentence, where the presence of Elisabeth at the piano failed to reduce the subject's anxiety, the opposite action would be to increase or intensify that state of distress. Therefore, aggravate serves as the direct antonym.

Explanation

The word berserk describes a state of being violently frantic, out of control, or frenzied, often due to extreme anger or excitement. Demented is the most appropriate synonym as it characterizes someone behaving in a wild, irrational, or crazed manner, reflecting a similar loss of mental composure or control. Both terms denote a departure from rational behavior into a state of agitation or madness.

Explanation

The phrase beginning of is a standard idiomatic expression used to denote the start of a specific time period, such as a century, year, or month. In the sentence provided, the preposition of correctly links the noun beginning to the specific era it describes, which is the eighteenth century. This construction is necessary to establish the relationship between the designated starting point and the historical period mentioned.

Explanation

The sentence identifies the ladies of European cities as the subjects who are performing the action of covering. The word following the blank is the noun faces, which belongs to these ladies. To show possession or ownership by a plural subject, the third-person plural possessive adjective their must be used. It correctly indicates that the faces being covered are those belonging to the ladies mentioned earlier in the passage.

Explanation

The phrasal verb bring about means to cause something to happen or to lead to a specific result. In the context of the passage, the fashion of using thick layers of paint and powder was caused or instigated by the widespread need to hide the scars left by smallpox. Using the past participle brought followed by the preposition about correctly establishes this causal link between the social trend and the medical necessity of the time.

Explanation

The relative pronoun which is used to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause that adds extra information about a noun. In the given sentence, smallpox is the inanimate antecedent, and the clause following the comma provides additional details about the consequences of the disease. Therefore, which is the grammatically correct choice to link the description of the facial scarring back to the specific disease mentioned.

Explanation

The phrasal verb cover up means to hide or conceal something completely, especially something unpleasant or a defect. In the context of the passage, the beauty spot was used as a cosmetic tool to mask or hide physical scars and facial imperfections caused by smallpox. The use of the particle up after the verb cover creates the specific idiomatic meaning of hiding a flaw from view.

Explanation

The word abundant is an adjective used to describe a situation where there is a large quantity or a plentiful supply of something. The word ample serves as its most appropriate synonym because it also signifies having enough or more than enough of a resource, indicating a sense of sufficiency and plenty. Both terms are frequently used interchangeably to denote a generous amount that meets or exceeds requirements.

Explanation

A stoic is an individual who remains indifferent to pleasure or pain and shows no response to either good or bad circumstances. This term describes a person who can endure hardship without complaint and maintains a calm, unemotional temperament regardless of the situation. The concept originates from the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism, which emphasized the development of self-control and fortitude to overcome destructive emotions and maintain inner peace amidst external changes.

Explanation

The passage describes the causal relationship between human actions and their consequences, emphasizing that rewards and punishments are the direct results of one's deeds. The sentence employs a parallel structure to illustrate this point: just as "honesty and hard work never go unrewarded" (meaning they are always rewarded), "evil deeds never go unpunished." The use of the word unpunished creates a double negative with the word never, thereby asserting that a penalty is the inevitable outcome of a negative action. This maintains the logical consistency of the law of karma as defined in the text, where the fruit of an action is determined by the nature of the action itself.

Explanation

The sentence is in the simple future tense with the structure Subject + will + never + verb (base form) + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the object (this creativity) is moved to the subject position. The verb phrase changes from will never overlook to will never be + past participle (overlooked). Finally, the original subject (I) is placed at the end as the agent (by me). This maintains the original meaning and the correct placement of the negative adverb never between the modal will and the auxiliary be.

Explanation

An aviary is a large enclosure, building, or cage specifically designed for keeping, raising, and displaying birds. Unlike standard birdcages, aviaries provide enough space for birds to fly freely within a controlled environment, often simulating their natural habitat. The term is derived from the Latin word avis, meaning bird.

Explanation

A catastrophe is defined as a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin, often representing a complete failure in a particular endeavor. Success is the state or condition of meeting a defined range of expectations, achieving a goal, or resulting in a positive and prosperous conclusion. Because success denotes the most positive outcome of an effort while catastrophe denotes the most negative and destructive one, success serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The phrase will execute assigned duties is the most precise and formal replacement for carry out allocated responsibilities. In a professional recruitment context, execute is a standard synonym for carry out or perform, while assigned duties directly corresponds to allocated responsibilities. The use of the future tense auxiliary will correctly reflects the predictive nature of the belief held by the companies regarding the potential performance of the applicants. This substitution maintains the original meaning while adhering to a more formal register appropriate for describing corporate hiring criteria and workplace expectations.

Explanation

The idiom to hold out the olive branch means to make an offer of peace or to show a desire to end a disagreement or conflict. This expression has historical and biblical roots where the olive branch serves as a symbol of peace. In the given sentence, Shekhar wants to end the long-standing hostility with his neighbour Ram by inviting him for tea, which represents a gesture of reconciliation and a peace offering.

Explanation

The word Countemptible is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Contemptible, which means deserving of contempt or being despicable. It is derived from the noun contempt, originating from the Latin word contemptus. The spelling follows the standard linguistic pattern of adding the suffix -ible to the root word, and there is no u present in the first syllable of the root or the resulting adjective.

Explanation

The word strong in this context refers to having the physical power and muscular capability required to move or carry a heavy object. Its direct antonym is weak, which signifies a lack of physical strength, energy, or the vigor necessary to exert force. In linguistic terms, these two words represent opposite ends of the spectrum regarding physical capacity and robustness.

Explanation

The idiom when life gives you lemons, make lemonade is a metaphorical expression used to encourage optimism and a positive attitude in the face of adversity. In this phrase, lemons represent the sourness or difficulties of life, such as misfortune, setbacks, or unfavorable circumstances. Lemonade represents a sweet and desirable result. The motto suggests that an individual should use their resilience and creativity to transform a negative or challenging situation into something positive, productive, or advantageous. It emphasizes the importance of making the best out of a bad situation rather than being discouraged by it.

Explanation

The word monotonous refers to something that is dull, repetitive, and lacking in variety or interest, often leading to boredom. Its antonym must describe something that is stimulating and holds one's full attention. Engrossing is the most appropriate opposite because it describes an activity or subject that is so interesting and captivating that it completely occupies a person's mind and focus.

Explanation

The word conscious is correctly spelled with an s before the c. This spelling is derived from the Latin conscius, where the sc digraph is essential to its etymological roots and phonetic structure. The spelling provided in the option, concious, is an error because it omits the s, which is a required component of the sc cluster that produces the sh sound in this word.

Explanation

The word rapturous is an adjective used to describe a state of intense pleasure, joy, or enthusiasm. It is derived from the noun rapture, which signifies a feeling of being carried away by overwhelming emotion. Ecstatic is its most direct synonym, as it describes a state of being in ecstasy or experiencing a high degree of sudden, intense happiness and excitement. Both terms convey a sense of extreme delight that fits the context of being in an exceptionally positive or joyful situation.

Explanation

The sentence requires the simple past tense to describe a completed action in the past. In English grammar, when the interrogative pronoun who functions as the subject of a question in the simple past tense, the auxiliary verb did is not used in standard affirmative constructions. Instead, the subject is followed directly by the past tense form of the main verb. Therefore, the phrase who accompanied you is the grammatically correct way to ask about the person who performed the action in the past.

Explanation

The sequence follows a logical and chronological progression of thoughts. Sentence C serves as the introduction, establishing a long-term desire to travel overseas since childhood. Sentence B provides the underlying reason for this desire by mentioning a fascination with strange lands and cultures. Sentence A moves the timeline to the recent past, noting that the specific dream mentioned earlier was finally fulfilled during the previous summer. Sentence D then provides specific details regarding the trip, listing the countries visited, which directly elaborates on the realization of the dream described in sentence A.

Explanation

The word rectify means to put right, correct, or remedy a situation, error, or fault. Similarly, the word amend refers to making changes in order to improve something, correct a mistake, or make a text more accurate. Both terms are used in contexts where an unsatisfactory condition is being improved or set right through specific corrective actions.

Explanation

In the context of travel and bookings, the verb confirm is used to establish the certainty or validity of a reservation. When a traveler has a pending or tentative booking, they must confirm the ticket to ensure that the seat or passage is officially secured and documented in the service provider's system. The sentence implies that Amith needed to finalize his travel arrangements, and visiting a travel agency to verify or validate a reservation is a standard procedure described by the word confirm.

Explanation

The preposition into is used incorrectly in this context because it typically denotes movement or transformation toward the interior of something. When indicating the source or the institution from which a qualification or degree is obtained, the preposition from should be used instead. The sentence requires the preposition of origin to show that the university was the source of the MBA degree.

Explanation

Sentence A acts as the logical opening statement by introducing the primary subject, mobile phones and smartphones, and establishing their global popularity. Sentence C follows by using the pronoun it to refer back to the subject and describing its status as the most widely used means of communication today. Sentence D provides further details regarding the factors that contribute to this widespread usage, specifically their affordability and availability. Sentence B concludes the sequence by introducing a contrasting point with the conjunction But, transitioning from the benefits and accessibility of the devices to the harm they can cause.

Explanation

The word invincible is used to describe a person, force, or entity that is too powerful to be defeated or overcome. It is derived from the Latin root vincere, which means to conquer, combined with the prefix in-, meaning not. Therefore, the term literally translates to unconquerable and is the standard one-word substitute for the quality of being incapable of being beaten or subdued in a conflict or competition.

Explanation

The sentence Who invited you to this party? is in the Simple Past tense. When converting an active voice sentence in the Simple Past to passive voice, the structure follows the pattern: was/were + past participle (V3). Since the interrogative word who is used, it changes to by whom in the passive voice. In an interrogative passive sentence, the auxiliary verb must precede the subject. Therefore, the construction requires by whom followed by the auxiliary verb were (to agree with the subject you), then the subject you, and finally the past participle invited. The correct grammatical structure is By whom were you invited to this party?

Explanation

The interjection Ouch is used to express sudden physical pain or occasionally a sharp, momentary emotional sting. In this sentence, the speaker is making a firm and calculated declaration about ending a professional relationship in a dry tone. This context does not involve any physical injury or sudden shock that would warrant the use of Ouch. The interjection is semantically inappropriate for a cold or dry statement regarding a decision to stop working. A more suitable interjection for such a context would be one that emphasizes a point or sets a serious tone, such as Look, Well, or Enough.

Explanation

The definite article 'the' is used before a noun that identifies a specific person or thing, especially when that person or thing is unique or holds a singular title. In the context of the passage, 'father of the Indian nation' is a specific, well-known title uniquely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. When a noun phrase serves as an appositive to define a unique individual through their specific status or role, the definite article is grammatically required to indicate that exclusivity.

Explanation

The term forest-living is a compound adjective formed by a noun and a present participle. In the context of a passage describing inhabitants of a specific environment, this hyphenated form correctly functions as an attributive adjective to modify a following noun, such as tribes or communities. It identifies the characteristic habitat and lifestyle of the subject, adhering to standard English conventions for creating descriptive modifiers.

Explanation

The sentence in the passage is "It is a practically ______ philosophy." The blank requires an adjective to modify the noun philosophy. The word proven is the past participle form of the verb prove used as an adjective, meaning demonstrated by experience or evidence to be effective or true. In the context of Mahatma Gandhi's principles, it describes a philosophy that has been tested in real-world situations and found to be successful.

Explanation

The adjective grateful is the correct term to describe a feeling of appreciation or thankfulness toward someone who has provided help or a favor. In the context of the sentence, Satya feels this sense of appreciation because his friends supported him during a difficult time. While great can mean kind or excellent, grateful specifically denotes the state of being thankful for a benefit received. It is important to note the spelling, which is derived from the Latin root gratus, meaning thankful, and does not use the spelling associated with the word great.