SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The segment contains a grammatical error involving both the choice of conjunction and the case of the pronoun. The conjunction as is typically used to indicate a reason or simultaneous actions, whereas when is the appropriate conjunction to introduce a clause defining a specific point in time or age. Furthermore, the objective pronoun her cannot function as the subject of the verb was. A subjective pronoun is required to serve as the subject of the clause, making she the correct form. Therefore, the phrase should be replaced with when she to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Explanation

A foreword is a short introductory piece of writing located at the beginning of a book or other literary work. It is typically written by a person other than the author, such as an expert, a colleague, or a notable figure, to provide context, background information, or an endorsement of the work. This section serves to lead the reader into the main text by explaining the purpose, significance, or origin of the book, thereby setting the stage for the primary content that follows.

Explanation

The word Verifibility is spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is Verifiability. It is the noun form of the adjective verifiable, which comes from the root verb verify. In English spelling rules, when adding the suffix -ability to a word ending in -ify, the y changes to i and the full suffix -ability is appended. Therefore, the word requires the letter a between the second i and the letter b to be orthographically correct.

Explanation

The word aptitude refers to a natural ability, talent, or inherent capacity to acquire a particular skill or excel in a specific field of study. In the context of the sentence, it serves as the most appropriate substitute for ability because it specifically denotes an innate inclination and potential for proficiency in a subject like mathematics. The term is standard in educational contexts to describe a person's knack or flair for a specialized discipline, and it correctly completes the idiomatic expression aptitude for something.

Explanation

A dilemma specifically describes a situation where a difficult choice must be made between two or more alternatives, particularly when those options are equally undesirable or unsatisfactory. The term is derived from the Greek words di, meaning two, and lemma, meaning a premise or proposition. It is often used to characterize a predicament where one is forced to select one of two paths, both of which lead to an unpleasant outcome, a concept frequently referred to as being on the horns of a dilemma. This precise focus on the binary nature of an unfavorable choice distinguishes it as the specific term for choosing between two unsatisfactory alternatives.

Explanation

The sentence structure requires a prepositional pair to indicate a specific time range. In English grammar, the standard construction for expressing a duration from a start point to an end point is from... to or from... until. The word still is an adverb used to indicate the continuation of an action or state, and it cannot function as a preposition to mark the conclusion of a time interval. Therefore, the use of still 10 p.m. is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced by to 10 p.m. or until 10 p.m.

Explanation

The idiom spill the beans means to reveal secret or confidential information, often prematurely or unintentionally. In the given sentence, it serves as the most appropriate idiomatic substitution for the underlined phrase to tell others secret information, as both describe the act of disclosing something that was meant to be kept private. This figurative expression is widely used in English to refer to the letting out of a secret.

Explanation

The word mendacious refers to something that is not telling the truth, or is dishonest and deceitful. In the context of the sentence, it serves as a synonym for misleading because it describes narratives that are intentionally false or fabricated to trick the audience. This term specifically characterizes the act of lying or being untruthful, which aligns with the idea of the media constructing deceptive stories to artificially boost viewership.

Explanation

The noun weight refers to the heaviness of a physical object. In this sentence, it serves as the object of the preposition by and is modified by the definite article the to describe a specific attribute of the coin. Being wonderstruck implies that the travellers were amazed or surprised, and the physical mass or heaviness of a coin is a significant characteristic that would elicit such a reaction, especially if the coin was unusually heavy or made of a precious metal.

Explanation

To evaluate means to determine the significance, worth, or condition of something through careful study and appraisal. It involves examining evidence or data to form a judgment about its value or quality. The word assess is a direct synonym as it refers to the act of estimating the nature, character, or ability of someone or something. Both terms are used interchangeably in professional and academic settings to describe the process of systematic analysis and measurement.

Explanation

The sentence structure presents a choice between two distinct actions: staying in and going for a walk. In English grammar, the correlative conjunction either is used paired with or to link two balanced alternatives, indicating that one of the two options will occur. Placing either before the first verb phrase stay in correctly establishes the relationship of choice between the two possibilities provided in the statement.

Explanation

The context of the passage focuses on the shift in the education system from traditional methods to online platforms due to the pandemic. The word transition refers to the process of changing from one state or condition to another. In this sentence, it describes the movement from physical classroom learning to digital training, which aligns with the preposition to and the overall theme of educational change and reform discussed in the text.

Explanation

The passage describes the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the education system, noting that it affected millions of people and hundreds of millions of students worldwide. In this broad context, the term numerous is the most appropriate adjective to describe the large and diverse quantity of academic subjects or courses where lower student performance was observed. It effectively conveys that the challenges of student disengagement and performance regression were widespread and occurred across a vast number of different educational fields during the rapid shift to digital training.

Explanation

The passage describes the global impact of Covid-19 on the education system, noting that it has affected millions of people around the world. The term pandemic specifically refers to an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population on a global scale. Since the text emphasizes the worldwide reach of the crisis and later explicitly identifies the event as a global Covid-19 pandemic, this term is the most contextually accurate choice to describe the event that altered international education.

Explanation

In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the passage describes the widespread disruption and negative challenges faced by the education system. The phrase forced to suspend accurately reflects the situation where schools were shut down and physical classes were halted, leading to a temporary cessation of regular academic activities for over 500 million students. The term suspend means to stop something temporarily, which aligns with the subsequent mentions of inconvenience, the risk of regression, and the violation of the right to education caused by these interruptions. Grammatically, the infinitive to requires the base form of the verb, and suspend logically completes the sentence regarding the involuntary halting of studies during the crisis.

Explanation

The blank requires a relative pronoun that indicates possession. In this sentence, the pronoun connects the antecedent "Children" to the noun phrase "basic, core learning," indicating that the learning belongs to or is associated with those children. The word "whose" serves as the possessive form of the relative pronoun "who" and is used to show this relationship of ownership or characteristic attribute. By using "whose," the sentence effectively explains that the specific risk of regression applies to the children whose prior academic foundation was already fragile.

Explanation

A telescope is an optical instrument designed to make distant objects, particularly celestial bodies in outer space, appear closer and brighter. Derived from the Greek words tele meaning far and skopein meaning to look or see, it works by using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to gather and focus light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation. This process allows observers to view stars, planets, galaxies, and other astronomical phenomena that are otherwise too faint or small to be seen by the naked eye.

Explanation

The word upstairs is an adverb of place used to describe being on or to an upper floor of a building. In standard English orthography, the term is always spelled with a final s. When used in the middle of a sentence to modify a verb or indicate location, the word remains in lowercase as it is not a proper noun.

Explanation

Adversity refers to a state of serious or continued difficulty, hardship, or unpleasant circumstances. It denotes a condition of suffering or ill luck where an individual faces significant challenges. Misfortune is the most appropriate synonym as it specifically describes an unlucky condition or an adverse event that results in distress, trouble, or a lack of prosperity. Both terms characterize a situation marked by unfavorable fortune or difficult trials.

Explanation

The word forbid means to refuse to allow something or to command that an action not be performed. Its semantic opposite is to give permission or consent for an action to take place. Allow is defined as the act of permitting something to happen or letting someone do something, which directly reverses the restriction implied by forbidding. In linguistic terms, while one word indicates the prevention of an activity, the other indicates the granting of liberty to engage in it.

Explanation

The sentence follows a logical narrative structure starting with the prepositional phrase D) despite the heavy traffic, which establishes a challenging circumstance. This is followed by the main independent clause formed by C) the boss arrived at the and B) meeting on time, describing a successful outcome. The sentence then introduces a contrasting situation using the subordinate conjunction A) while the employees, which is completed by the predicate E) were late. When arranged as DCBAE, the parts form the coherent statement: Despite the heavy traffic the boss arrived at the meeting on time while the employees were late.

Explanation

The phrasal verb laid out means to explain or present something in a clear, detailed, and organized manner. In the context of Charles Darwin's seminal work, On the Origin of Species, the author systematically presented a vast amount of evidence to support the theory of evolution and described the mechanism of natural selection. Using laid out is the most appropriate way to describe the act of presenting a complex scientific argument or a body of substantiating facts within a publication.

Explanation

The error lies in the phrase who work because it violates the rules of subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. In this sentence, the relative pronoun who refers to the singular antecedent he. A singular subject requires a singular verb form; therefore, the plural verb work is grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, the time expression for more than a decade indicates a duration of time extending from the past to the present, which necessitates the use of the present perfect or present perfect continuous tense. To be grammatically accurate, the phrase should be replaced with who has worked or who has been working to correctly align with the singular pronoun he and the specified time period.

Explanation

To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the present perfect tense, the structure changes from Subject + has/have + past participle + Object to Object + has/have + been + past participle + by + Subject. In this sentence, the object this training is singular, so it requires the auxiliary verb has. The adverb already is maintained in its position between the auxiliary has and been to preserve the original meaning and temporal context. The passive form thus correctly identifies the training as the new subject, followed by the appropriate verb phrase has already been taken, and correctly identifies the original subject using the prepositional phrase by the teachers of our school.

Explanation

The word cruel refers to a person who is willfully causing pain or distress to others or who shows a complete lack of sympathy for their suffering. In the context of dealing with students, it implies a harsh and unfeeling demeanor. The most appropriate antonym is kind, which describes a person possessing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. Being kind involves showing compassion and care, which is the direct behavioral and emotional opposite of being cruel.

Explanation

The sentence follows a logical cause-and-effect structure starting with the main action in part A and part C, which state that he had to take the bus to his office. This is followed by the reasons for this action. The first reason is provided in part E, explaining that he had never learned to drive. The second reason, connected by the conjunction and, is introduced in part B and completed in part D, explaining that his friend, who usually provided transportation, was unavailable due to being on vacation. The full sequence ACEBD forms the coherent statement: He had to take the bus to his office because he had never learned to drive and his friend, who used to give him a lift, was on vacation.

Explanation

The sentence Ravi will play the match is in the simple future tense. To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the simple future tense, the structure follows the formula: Object + will/shall + be + past participle (V3) + by + Subject. Applying this rule, the object the match becomes the new subject, followed by will be and the past participle form of play, which is played, ending with the agent by Ravi.

Explanation

The word juvenile refers to individuals who are not yet legal adults, typically those under the age of 18. In a legal context, juvenile criminals are youthful offenders or minors who are subject to a different set of judicial rules than adults. Therefore, young is the most suitable substitute as it directly describes the age group associated with the term juvenile.

Explanation

The idiom moved heaven and earth means to exert every possible effort or to do everything within one's power to achieve a specific result. In the context of the sentence, it perfectly substitutes the phrase tried very hard, as it emphasizes that the doctors utilized all available resources and made an exhaustive attempt to save the patient's life.

Explanation

The idiom hit the nail on the head is used to describe a situation where someone says or does something that is exactly right. It signifies the act of identifying the precise nature of a problem or providing the perfect explanation for a situation. The phrase originates from the precision required in carpentry, where striking a nail exactly on its head is the most effective and accurate way to drive it into the wood.

Explanation

In the segment violent banged, the word violent is an adjective being used to modify the verb banged. English grammar rules require that a verb be modified by an adverb rather than an adjective to describe the manner of an action. The adjective violent must be replaced with its adverbial form, violently, to correctly describe how the windows banged. Consequently, the grammatically accurate version of the sentence is: The windows violently banged during the storm yesterday.

Explanation

The word acquaintance is derived from the Old French acointance. Its correct spelling requires the letter c before q, originating from the Latin prefix ad- (which changes to ac- before q), and the suffix -ance. The complete and correct sequence of letters is a-c-q-u-a-i-n-t-a-n-c-e. It refers to a person one knows slightly or the state of being familiar with someone or something. In the context of the sentence, it describes the relationship between the subject and the author that led to collaborations.

Explanation

Fatigue refers to a state of extreme physical or mental exhaustion, typically resulting from prolonged exertion, stress, or illness. It manifests as a significant decrease in energy levels and an increased need for rest. Tiredness is the direct synonym as it describes the same condition of being weary, exhausted, or worn out after performing a task or due to a lack of sleep.

Explanation

The word overstrung describes a state of being extremely tense, sensitive, or emotionally strained, often due to intense pressure or anticipation. In the context of a dance performance, it refers to the state of being high-strung or excessively anxious. This matches the definition of nervous, which characterizes a person who is apprehensive, easily agitated, or on edge before a significant event. Both terms indicate a lack of composure and a heightened state of emotional tension.

Explanation

The word clumsy refers to a lack of coordination, grace, or skill in physical movement or social behavior. It specifically describes individuals who are prone to accidents, such as tripping or dropping items, because their actions are unrefined or poorly controlled. This term is the standard one-word substitute for describing someone who is awkward in their movement or manner.

Explanation

The term initiative refers to an introductory act or a strategic program launched by an entity to achieve specific goals. In the context of the passage, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a series of programs and events launched by the Government of India to commemorate 75 years of independence. Since the sentence describes the commencement and nature of this government-led campaign, initiative is the most appropriate word to define a planned project or action intended to celebrate national achievements and culture.

Explanation

The term dedicated is the most appropriate word to describe an official celebration or initiative that is formally committed to honoring a specific group. In the context of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the government has officially designated the festival to the citizens of India to recognize their role in the nation's evolutionary journey and their potential to drive future progress. This usage aligns with the standard linguistic convention where a commemorative event is dedicated to the people it intends to celebrate.

Explanation

The verb possess is the most appropriate fit for blank (3) because it correctly describes the relationship between the people of India and the qualities of power and potential mentioned in the text. In this context, to possess means to have or own a particular quality, ability, or characteristic. The sentence emphasizes that the citizens of India inherently hold the capability and strength required to fulfill the Prime Minister's vision for India 2.0. Grammatically, the plural verb possess correctly matches the plural subject the people of India, indicating that they carry the necessary attributes to drive the nation's future progress and self-reliance.

Explanation

The context of the passage refers to a strategic roadmap or an aspirational goal set by a leader for the future of the nation. In political and administrative discourse, the term vision is used to describe a leader's long-term plan or foresight regarding the development and transformation of a country. Here, activating India 2.0 represents a conceptual framework for progress, making vision the most appropriate term to describe the Prime Minister's objective for the 75th anniversary of independence and beyond.

Explanation

The word countdown refers to the period of time leading up to a significant event or milestone. In the context of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the initiative was inaugurated on 12 March 2021 to mark the beginning of a specific 75-week period leading directly to the 75th anniversary of India's independence on 15 August 2022. The term accurately describes this temporal progression and the sequential marking of time toward the national celebration. This usage reflects the official structure of the mahotsav as a commemorative sequence designed to build momentum and engagement across the nation as it approached its landmark anniversary.

Explanation

The word clique refers to a small, exclusive group of people who share common interests or a common purpose and who do not readily allow others to join them. In the given sentence, it serves as the precise one-word substitute for an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose, particularly when describing a closed group that maintains power or influence within a political or military structure.

Explanation

The word culinary is the standard English adjective used to describe anything related to cooking, food preparation, or the kitchen. It is derived from the Latin word culina, which translates to kitchen. The correct spelling begins with the letter c and uses the vowel u in the first syllable, consistent with its etymological roots. In the context of the sentence, it accurately identifies the professional skills for which chefs are globally recognized.

Explanation

In English grammar, when a sentence contains a main clause in the future tense and a subordinate clause introduced by a temporal conjunction such as when, until, or as soon as, the subordinate clause must be in the present simple tense. This structure is used to express an action that will happen in the future once a certain condition or time is met. Since the main clause in this sentence uses the future tense will ask, the verb in the temporal clause must be changed from the past tense saw to the present simple tense see him to correctly indicate the future sequence of events.

Explanation

The word paramount originates from the Old French phrase par amont, meaning above or at the top. It is used to describe something that is of the greatest importance, significance, or rank, essentially being superior to all others. The term supreme is the most appropriate synonym because it also denotes being highest in rank, authority, or degree, or being the most important in a particular context. Both words signify a state of being preeminent or holding the highest possible position within a hierarchy or set of priorities.

Explanation

The term lax describes a person or a process that is insufficiently strict, severe, or careful. It implies a lack of rigor and firmness in maintaining standards or performing duties. When someone is lax, they are negligent or remiss in their responsibilities, specifically failing to provide the expected level of attention and care required for a particular situation or task.

Explanation

The word brittle refers to a material or object that is hard but liable to break, crack, or shatter easily when subjected to stress, indicating a lack of flexibility. Its antonym, resilient, describes a substance or person capable of withstanding shock, pressure, or deformity without breaking, often returning to its original shape. Resilience implies toughness and durability, which directly contrasts with the fragile nature of brittleness.

Explanation

The term antagonist refers to a person who actively opposes or is hostile toward someone or something. It is derived from the Greek words anti, meaning against, and agonistes, meaning a combatant or actor. In the context of the sentence, since Rohan is described as the individual who consistently opposes the other members of the group, he is acting as their adversary or antagonist.

Explanation

The sentence is in the past continuous tense in passive voice, indicated by the structure was being + past participle (typed). To convert this to active voice, the object of the preposition by (the secretary) becomes the subject, and the verb is changed to the past continuous active form was/were + present participle (typing). The temporal clause when the phone rang remains unchanged as it provides the specific time context for the action. Thus, the active form is the secretary was typing the letter when the phone rang.

Explanation

The idiom a dime a dozen refers to things that are so common and easy to find that they are considered of little value or importance. It originated in the United States during the late 19th century when various everyday goods were literally priced at ten cents (a dime) for twelve items (a dozen). Because such items were plentiful and inexpensive, the phrase evolved into a figurative expression describing anything that is ubiquitous, ordinary, or lacking in unique or special qualities.

Explanation

Expertise refers to a high level of knowledge or skill in a particular field or subject. Proficiency is a direct synonym as it denotes a high degree of competence or skill in doing something, typically gained through practice or experience. Both terms describe the state of being an expert or highly capable in a specific area of work or study.