SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The active sentence is in the Present Perfect tense, following the structure: Subject + have/has + past participle (V3) + Object. To convert this into the passive voice, the object of the active sentence (a new bridge) becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The verb structure for the Present Perfect passive is: Subject + has/have + been + past participle (V3) + by + Agent.

In this case, the singular subject a new bridge requires the auxiliary has been. The past participle form of the verb build remains built. The agent they changes to the object pronoun them following the preposition by. Placing the prepositional phrase across the river after the main verb phrase results in the sentence: A new bridge has been built across the river by them.

Explanation

The word stale refers to food that is no longer new, pleasant, or fit for consumption because it has become old, dry, or musty. Its direct antonym is fresh, which describes food that has been recently harvested, produced, or prepared and remains in its original, optimal condition. In the context of culinary preparation, a chef would require vegetables that are the opposite of stale to ensure the quality of a salad.

Explanation

In the context of climate change and environmental science, the standard technical term used is adaptive capacity. It refers to the ability of a system, community, or society to adjust to potential damage, take advantage of opportunities, or respond to the consequences of climate change. The passage highlights that countries with high exposure to environmental hazards but low adaptive capacity are more likely to experience significant human mobility and migration because they lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to adjust to changing conditions.

Explanation

In the context of international and regional migration studies, the term irregular migration refers to the movement of persons that takes place outside the laws, regulations, or international agreements governing the entry into or exit from the State of origin, transit, or destination. The passage describes a scenario where desperation and deteriorating environments compel individuals to seek livelihoods elsewhere. When climate-induced displacement occurs without established legal pathways or formal authorization, it often results in irregular migration patterns, as vulnerable populations are forced to find alternative means of survival beyond their borders without official documentation.

Explanation

The verb depend is a phrasal verb that requires the preposition on to indicate reliance, contingency, or being supported by something. In English grammar, certain verbs are followed by fixed prepositions; depend on is the standard idiomatic expression used to show that one's livelihood, survival, or success is determined by a specific factor. In this context, migrant women rely on climate-sensitive livelihoods, meaning their means of living are directly influenced or sustained by environmental conditions, making on the only grammatically appropriate choice.

Explanation

The term imperative describes something that is of vital importance, crucial, or an absolute necessity. In the context of the passage, which outlines the severe and adverse impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, the author emphasizes the urgency of acknowledging these facts to safeguard human rights. Using imperative signals that taking action and recognizing this reality is a critical and unavoidable requirement rather than a secondary or optional matter. The gravity of environmental degradation and its role in driving human mobility necessitates such a strong, decisive adjective to describe the required response.

Explanation

The word refuse means to decline to accept, give, or allow something. In the context of the sentence, it indicates a strong stance against allowing obstacles to interfere with personal goals. The word permit is the most appropriate antonym because it means to give authorization or consent to something, or to allow it to happen. While refuse signifies a denial of permission or action, permit signifies the granting of that permission.

Explanation

The phrasal verb gave up means to surrender, quit, or stop doing something. In the context of a formal ceremony where awards are being distributed, the correct phrasal verb should be gave away or gave out, both of which mean to distribute or hand over items to a group of people. The use of gave up in this sentence creates a logical error because it suggests the principal abandoned the prizes rather than presenting them to the winners.

Explanation

The word screech is defined as a high-pitched, shrill, and piercing cry or sound. In English vocabulary, it serves as the most appropriate one-word substitute for a noise that is both high in frequency and harsh in tone, such as the sound produced by tires skidding or braking abruptly on a road surface. It specifically captures the acoustic qualities of being shrill and piercing as described in the sentence.

Explanation

The word synthetic refers to substances or materials made by human-made chemical synthesis, typically designed to imitate a product found in the environment. It denotes something that is artificial or manufactured rather than occurring spontaneously. Its most appropriate antonym is natural, which describes anything existing in or derived from nature and not produced by human intervention or industrial processing. While synthetic objects are created through technology and chemistry, natural objects are part of the physical world in their original, unaltered state.

Explanation

The sentence requires a plural noun to act as the subject for the verb "are" and to describe the consequences of climate change. The word "effects" is a noun that refers to the results or outcomes of a particular cause. In environmental and scientific contexts, the phrase "adverse effects" is a standard collocation used to denote the harmful impacts or negative changes resulting from phenomena like climate change and environmental degradation.

Explanation

The word mesmerised means to have your attention or interest captured so completely that you are unable to think of anything else. It is derived from the name of the physician Franz Mesmer and carries the sense of being spellbound or enthralled. Fascinated is a direct synonym as it describes a state of being intensely attracted or interested by something, perfectly capturing the sense of being captivated by a performance.

Explanation

The idiom easy does it is a common expression used to advise someone to perform a task with caution, gentleness, or at a deliberate pace. It is typically employed when handling fragile objects, navigating a physically restricted space, or managing a sensitive situation where sudden or forceful movements could result in damage, injury, or failure. The phrase serves as a reminder that patience and precision are necessary for the successful completion of the action.

Explanation

The word candid is used to describe a person or statement that is truthful, frank, and straightforward. It implies a quality of being open and sincere in expression. The term dishonest serves as the most appropriate antonym because it refers to a lack of integrity, characterized by a tendency to lie, cheat, or deceive, which is the direct opposite of being candid and transparent.

Explanation

The idiom cut corners refers to performing a task in the quickest or cheapest way possible by bypassing standard procedures or omitting necessary steps. It typically implies that quality or safety is being sacrificed to save time or money. The expression is used to describe situations where someone takes a shortcut to reduce effort or expenditure, often leading to a result that is not as thorough or reliable as it would have been if proper methods were followed.

Explanation

The interjection Brr is used specifically to express a physical sensation of being cold or shivering. In the context of this sentence, the speaker is expressing admiration and awe for a view described as amazing. This positive sentiment and sense of wonder would typically be preceded by an interjection like Wow, Ooh, or Oh. Because Brr conveys a feeling of discomfort due to temperature rather than appreciation for beauty, it is semantically inappropriate for the tone of the statement.

Explanation

The term edible is derived from the Latin word edere, which means to eat. In English, it functions as an adjective or a noun to describe any substance that is safe, suitable, or fit for human consumption. It is the standard vocabulary word used to denote that a specific item can be consumed as food without being harmful or poisonous to the body.

Explanation

An impostor is a person who assumes a false identity or name in order to deceive others. This term specifically describes the act of pretending to be another person, often for fraudulent gain or to hide one's true character. It is derived from the Latin word impositor, which refers to someone who imposes a false persona onto others to mislead them.

Explanation

The word reluctant describes a person who is hesitant, unwilling, or disinclined to do something, often characterized by a lack of interest or a sense of resistance. Its direct antonym is enthusiastic, which refers to showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval. While a reluctant person acts with hesitation and doubt, an enthusiastic person acts with zeal, passion, and a proactive desire to engage in a task or situation. Thus, enthusiastic represents the opposite extreme of willingness and energy compared to being reluctant.

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of the third conditional, which is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past and its imagined result. The grammatical formula for the third conditional is: If + past perfect (had + past participle), then subject + would have + past participle. Since the if-clause uses the past perfect form had not rained, the main clause must use would not have postponed to maintain grammatical consistency and express that the action did not actually happen in the past.

Explanation

Remuneration is the formal term for the money, salary, or compensation paid to an individual in exchange for the work, labor, or professional services they have performed. It specifically describes the financial consideration or reward received for duties fulfilled or services rendered in a professional or employment context.

Explanation

Sentence (c) contains no spelling errors as all its constituent words follow standard English orthography. The term memoirists is the correct plural spelling of memoirist, referring to individuals who write memoirs. The word available is correctly spelled with the suffix -able (A-V-A-I-L-A-B-L-E), and described is the accurate past participle form of the verb describe. Other common words in the sentence, such as author, detail, photos, and press, are also spelled correctly.

Explanation

The word fastly is grammatically incorrect in the English language. While many adverbs are formed by adding the suffix -ly to an adjective, fast is an exception as it functions as both an adjective and an adverb. In the given sentence, the word is intended to modify the verb ran, which requires the adverbial form. Since the adverbial form of fast is simply fast, the use of fastly constitutes a morphological error. The sentence should correctly read they ran fast to catch it.

Explanation

The word predictable describes something that is expected or can be easily foreseen because it follows a known pattern or lacks originality. In the context of a movie plot, it suggests that the audience can guess the outcome or the twists before they happen. The word unexpected serves as the direct antonym because it refers to something that is not anticipated or is surprising. While a predictable plot is foreseeable, an unexpected plot introduces elements that the audience did not anticipate, providing the opposite effect.

Explanation

The word stale refers to food that is no longer fresh, pleasant, or safe to eat because it has been kept for too long. In the context of the sentence, food that is not fresh often undergoes chemical and biological changes that lead to the development of unpleasant odours and tastes, making stale the appropriate one-word substitute for the description provided.

Explanation

The word feasible is defined as something that is capable of being done, achieved, or put into effect. It originates from the Old French word faisible, meaning possible to do, and is used to describe plans, ideas, or actions that are likely to be successful or are possible to carry out within given constraints. In English vocabulary, it serves as the precise term for the possibility and practicality of accomplishing a specific task.

Explanation

The sentence is in the passive voice and uses the simple past tense, as indicated by the auxiliary verb were followed by the past participle injured. When converting a passive sentence in the simple past to the active voice, the construction follows the pattern: Subject + V₂ + Object. In interrogative sentences, the agent introduced by By whom in the passive voice becomes the subject Who in the active voice. Consequently, the past tense verb form injured is used directly after the subject to maintain the original tense. This results in the active voice structure Who injured you?

Explanation

The word chronic refers to a medical condition or disease that is long-lasting, persistent, and often characterized by a constant or recurring state of severity. It implies a condition that is deep-seated and difficult to eradicate. Conversely, the word mild describes something that is not serious, harsh, or severe in its intensity or effect. In the context of describing the nature and impact of a disease, mild serves as the appropriate antonym because it indicates a lack of the persistent severity typically associated with chronic ailments.

Explanation

The word abolish means to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution, such as the legal ending of slavery mentioned in the sentence. Its direct antonym is establish, which means to set up, create, or found something on a firm or permanent basis. In a linguistic context, while to abolish is to dismantle an existing structure or law, to establish is to initiate or bring one into existence.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the past continuous passive voice, characterized by the structure was/were + being + past participle (grafted). To convert this to the active voice, the agent of the action (the gardener) becomes the subject, and the recipient of the action (the plants) becomes the object.

The active voice form of the past continuous tense uses the formula: Was/Were + Subject + V-ing (present participle). Because the subject "the gardener" is singular, the auxiliary verb "was" is required. In an interrogative sentence, the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. Thus, the verb "being grafted" transforms into "was... grafting," leading to the active structure: Was the gardener grafting the plants?

Explanation

The word detailing is the most appropriate fit for the blank because it means to describe or provide information about something in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Given that Rory Cooper is described as a prominent Never Trumper who was open about his views, it follows that he would be providing specific reasons or points to explain exactly why he found the 45th president to be awful. This usage aligns with his public role in articulating a specific political stance and sharing his perspective with others.

Explanation

In the context of the sentence, the word average is used to describe a typical or standard level that is representative of a group or a specific set of data. It functions as an adjective indicating a value that falls in the middle of a range of results, allowing for a general comparison or summary of the situation being discussed in the passage. This term is most suitable when the text refers to a mean or a common standard observed among various subjects.

Explanation

Dipsomania refers to an uncontrollable and morbid craving for alcohol, characterized by periodic bouts of intense, compulsive consumption. The term is derived from the Greek words dipsa, meaning thirst, and mania, meaning madness or frenzy. It describes a psychological condition where an individual experiences an overwhelming and continuous urge to drink intoxicating liquors, often regardless of the consequences or the desire to stop.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the passive voice using the simple past tense, as indicated by the auxiliary verb was followed by the past participle admired. To convert this into the active voice, the agent of the action, art enthusiasts from around the world, becomes the subject of the sentence. The verb must remain in the simple past tense, which is admired, and the original subject, the painting, becomes the direct object. The resulting active construction follows the standard Subject + Verb (Past Tense) + Object pattern.

Explanation

The word mischievious is incorrectly spelled because it includes an extra i after the v. The correct spelling is m-i-s-c-h-i-e-v-o-u-s, which contains only three syllables. This orthographic error is frequently driven by a non-standard pronunciation that adds an extra vowel sound before the suffix. In standard English, the suffix -ous is added directly to the root word mischief without the insertion of any additional letters.

Explanation

The word diffuses is the correct third-person singular present tense form of the verb diffuse. The spelling is derived from the Latin diffundere, which requires a double f. Grammatically, because the subject of the dependent clause is the singular pronoun it referring to helium, the verb must take the -s suffix to ensure proper subject-verb agreement in the simple present tense. From a scientific perspective, helium is used in respiratory therapy because its low density and high diffusivity allow the gas mixture to flow more easily through obstructed airways compared to standard air, which contains heavier nitrogen.

Explanation

The word exceptional refers to something that is unusually good, much better than average, or remarkably superior in quality. It describes a person or thing that deviates from the norm due to its high level of excellence. Outstanding is a direct synonym because it likewise characterizes something that is exceptionally good, prominent, or clearly superior to others of its kind, effectively capturing the essence of being remarkably distinguished or noteworthy.

Explanation

In the sentence "I am preparing for exams", the verb "preparing" is used in the present continuous tense. This tense is formed using the auxiliary verb "am" followed by the present participle "ing" form of the main verb. The primary function of this grammatical structure is to describe an action that is currently in progress or ongoing at the moment of speaking. Because it depicts an unfinished, active process, it effectively expresses the continuity of the action.

Explanation

The term cannibal refers to an individual that consumes the flesh or internal organs of other members of its own species. The word is derived from the Spanish Canibales, used by Columbus to describe the Caribs of the West Indies who were alleged to practice this act. In biological terms, cannibalism is a common ecological interaction in the animal kingdom where an organism feeds on another of its same kind.

Explanation

The word deceptive refers to something that is misleading, fraudulent, or intended to create a false impression that does not align with reality. In the context of the sentence, it suggests that the appearance of animals in the jungle can trick observers about their true nature or intentions. The word honest is the most appropriate antonym because it describes something that is truthful, sincere, and characterized by integrity. While deceptive implies an intent to hide the truth, honest implies an appearance or character that is transparent and accurately reflects the truth.

Explanation

The word each is a distributive pronoun that is grammatically singular. When used as a subject or to modify a singular noun like participant, it requires a singular verb to maintain proper subject-verb agreement. In the present perfect tense, the singular auxiliary verb has must be used with the past participle performed. This ensures that the singular nature of the subject each participant is correctly matched with its corresponding verb form.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple future tense, following the structure: Subject + will + base form of the verb + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the object of the active sentence (Rakesh) becomes the new subject, and the verb structure changes to: will + be + past participle of the main verb (sent). The original subject (Dipsch) is then placed at the end of the sentence as the agent, typically introduced by the preposition by. Consequently, the active construction Dipsch will send Rakesh is transformed into the passive construction Rakesh will be sent by Dipsch, while the remaining phrases like away to college for certain reasons maintain their relative positions in the sentence.

Explanation

The word feud refers to a state of prolonged and bitter hostility, conflict, or a long-standing dispute between groups or families. Its most appropriate antonym is harmony, which signifies a state of peaceful coexistence, agreement, and concord. While a feud represents discord and ongoing strife, harmony represents a condition where parties are in balance and free from such conflict.

Explanation

The word forsake means to renounce or give up something entirely, or to desert a person, place, or cause. It implies a permanent departure or the cessation of an association or interest. Abandon is the most appropriate synonym because it likewise denotes the act of leaving someone or something behind with no intention of returning or reclaiming it, effectively ending a relationship or responsibility. Both terms carry the connotation of leaving something in a lurch or withdrawing support permanently.

Explanation

The word rode is the past tense of the verb ride, which means to sit on and manage the movement of a vehicle such as a bicycle. In this context, the sentence describes an individual operating a bike to travel toward a destination. This verb appropriately expresses the action performed by the subject in the past to reach his home.

Explanation

The sentence requires the present perfect continuous tense because it describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, indicated by the time duration for the past 22 years. The standard structure for this tense is subject + has/have + been + verb-ing. Since Sivamani is a singular third-person subject, the singular auxiliary has is used followed by been and the present participle working. This construction correctly expresses the ongoing nature of the work over the specified period of time.

Explanation

The idiom fair-weather friend refers to someone who remains a friend only when things are going well but abandons others during times of difficulty, crisis, or trouble. In the given sentence, the speaker expresses disappointment because Sadhna, who was expected to be loyal and supportive, failed to stand by them when they faced trouble. This specific behavior of being present only during good times and disappearing during bad times is the defining characteristic of a fair-weather friend.

Explanation

The phrasal verb straggling over is the most appropriate substitution because it describes something that is growing or spreading in an irregular, untidy, or scattered manner. In the context of thinning grey hair, it effectively conveys the image of sparse strands of hair falling across the forehead in a loose and disorganized way. This choice provides a more descriptive and precise visual of how thin hair typically rests on a surface compared to the other options.

Explanation

An anecdote is defined as a short, interesting, or amusing account of a real incident or person, often based on personal experience. In the given sentence, the father shares stories from his own childhood that are described as both amusing and true, which aligns perfectly with the definition of an anecdote.

Explanation

The adjective good must be followed by the preposition at when referring to a person's proficiency, skill, or talent in a specific activity or subject. Although the phrase good with is appropriate when describing an ability to manage or handle people, tools, or objects, it is considered non-standard when applied to actions or gerunds. In the context of athletic skills like running, the correct idiomatic expression is good at. Using the preposition at ensures grammatical consistency throughout the sentence, particularly to match the subsequent correctly used phrase good at catching.