SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word right is used here as a noun meaning a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something. In the context of the sentence, it refers to the fundamental privilege or freedom of an individual to articulate their ideas and opinions. This usage aligns with the concept of the right to free speech, providing the necessary meaning to complete the phrase regarding the expression of thoughts.

Explanation

A curfew is a legal order or regulation issued by an authority that mandates individuals to stay within their homes or off the streets during specific time periods. It is typically implemented by a government or local administration during times of civil unrest, war, or public health emergencies to maintain public order and ensure safety.

Explanation

The term domestic market is a standard economic collocation used to describe the internal trade and commerce within a specific country. In the context of commodity pricing and trade discussions, market refers to the entire system or geographical area where buyers and sellers interact to determine the price of a good, such as tea. This fits the passage's focus on price trends and production expectations within the national boundary.

Explanation

The word aligning is the most appropriate choice because it is grammatically and contextually compatible with the preposition with. In a market context, to align with something means to come into agreement, correspondence, or a synchronized state. The sentence indicates that the price of tea is moving in a consistent manner or reaching a similar level as the prices established by other companies, thereby reflecting a unified trend in the industry where high price levels are being maintained.

Explanation

Envious describes a state of feeling resentful or longing for the advantages, possessions, or qualities belonging to someone else. It is rooted in a begrudging attitude and a focus on one's own lack compared to others. Generous serves as an antonym because it signifies a selfless disposition characterized by the willingness to give freely and share one's own resources or benefits with others. While envy is associated with an acquisitive and restrictive mindset, generosity represents an open and giving nature that finds satisfaction in the well-being of others.

Explanation

The sentence requires the present perfect continuous tense because it describes an action that started in the past and has continued up to the present moment. The time expression for the past two months indicates a duration of time, which necessitates the use of a perfect aspect. Given that the subject is the plural pronoun They, the auxiliary verb have is used followed by been and the present participle renovating. This structure emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity and its connection to the current state of the house looking fantastic.

Explanation

When a question is embedded within another question or a statement as a noun clause, it follows the assertive word order (Subject + Verb) instead of the interrogative word order (Auxiliary + Subject + Verb). In the sentence "Do you know where she resides?", the main question is "Do you know," so the subordinate clause "where she resides" must use declarative syntax. Additionally, since the subject "she" is third-person singular, the verb must take the suffix -s to agree with the subject, resulting in "resides."

Explanation

The sentence follows the structure of the simple future tense: Subject + will + Verb (V1) + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the object (his bravado) moves to the subject position, and the verb phrase is changed to will be + Past Participle (V3). The standard formula for simple future passive is: Object + will + be + V3 + by + Subject. In this case, the past participle of respect is respected, resulting in the correct construction: His bravado will be respected by people.

Explanation

The word colloquial is derived from the Latin roots com- (meaning together) and loqui (meaning to speak), forming colloquium, which refers to a conversation. In English, the adjective colloquial is used to describe language that is informal, familiar, or conversational rather than formal or literary. The correct spelling requires a double l after the initial syllable and follows the phonological rule where the letter q is always succeeded by the vowel u. The word concludes with the suffix -ial, common in adjectives relating to a specific state or quality.

Explanation

The passage describes a market condition where tea prices remain consistently high. An uptrend refers to the overall upward movement or the tendency of prices to remain at an elevated level over a specific period. This choice is logically consistent with the first sentence, which states that prices continue to rule high in the current year. By using this term, the text characterizes the general trajectory of the market before comparing the specific nature of this year's price behavior with the dramatic rise seen in the previous year. It provides the necessary context for the subsequent mention of a downtrend in the following months.

Explanation

The word lost in the context of navigating a route means to have become unable to find the correct path or to have gone astray. The antonym of lost in this sense is found, which means to have discovered or successfully identified the correct way. In the given sentence, replacing the bracketed word with found provides the opposite meaning while maintaining the logical structure of the statement regarding the journey to Mumbai.

Explanation

The word mellifluous originates from the Latin roots mel, meaning honey, and fluere, meaning to flow. Literally translating to flowing like honey, it is used to describe a sound, voice, or piece of music that is sweet, smooth, and pleasant to hear. Because it characterizes sounds that have a melodic or harmonious quality, musical serves as the most appropriate synonym.

Explanation

The sequence CAEBD forms a coherent and grammatically sound sentence: He has discovered new facts and advanced new arguments but my opinion is unchanged. In this structure, segment C provides the subject and the primary verb. Segments A and E act as a compound direct object, where new facts and new arguments are the things discovered, and the word advanced functions as an adjective modifying arguments. Segment B introduces a subordinate clause using the contrastive conjunction but to shift the focus to the speaker. Finally, segment D provides the predicate adjective unchanged to complete the thought regarding the speaker's opinion.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple present tense (know). To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the simple present tense, the structure follows the formula: Object + is/am/are + past participle (V3) + preposition + Subject.

In this sentence, Stellenbosch is the object and know is the main verb. Since Stellenbosch is a singular noun, it takes the auxiliary verb is followed by the past participle known. When using the verb know in the passive voice to indicate who possesses the knowledge, the preposition to is typically used instead of by. Therefore, the construction results in Stellenbosch is known to people for its greenery and delicious street foods, maintaining the original present tense meaning.

Explanation

The verb talk requires the preposition to or with when referring to the person receiving the communication. Using the preposition for suggests speaking on behalf of someone else or acting as their representative, which does not fit the context of the sentence describing a person who is isolated. Since the second part of the sentence mentions he is alone all day, the intended meaning is that he does not engage in conversation with others, making to anybody the grammatically appropriate phrase to denote social interaction.

Explanation

The word respite refers to a short period of rest or relief from something difficult, unpleasant, or demanding. In the context of the sentence, it signifies a pause or an interval of relaxation taken from the hectic activities and noise of the day. A break is defined as a temporary interruption in an activity or a period of time devoted to rest, which perfectly aligns with the meaning of respite as a necessary pause for recovery and mental refreshment.

Explanation

Exceeding functions as an adjective meaning extreme, exceptional, or surpassing what is common or ordinary. It is derived from the verb exceed, which means to go beyond a set limit, measure, or quantity. When something is described as exceeding, it signifies that the quality or amount is notably greater than what is typically anticipated or required in a given situation. This makes it the most appropriate one-word substitute for the phrase much more than usual or expected.

Explanation

The word hot refers to having a high degree of heat or a high temperature, especially one that is uncomfortable or capable of causing a burn. In the context of the sentence, it describes a liquid at an extreme temperature. The word frigid means intensely cold or freezing in temperature. Since hot and frigid represent opposite extremes of the temperature scale, frigid serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The word triumphant is derived from triumph, meaning to achieve a great victory or success. It describes someone who is victorious or has won a contest or struggle. Therefore, its most appropriate antonym is unsuccessful, which refers to a person or effort that fails to achieve the intended goal or lacks success.

Explanation

A stopover refers to a planned break or a short stay at an intermediate point during a long-distance journey. It typically occurs when a traveler pauses their travel for a period of time, such as a few hours or even a few days, before continuing to their final destination. In the context of transportation, particularly air or rail travel, it involves a temporary halt that allows a passenger to rest or visit a location before proceeding with the remainder of the trip.

Explanation

In the context of market trends and economic reporting, the term stabilised is used to describe a situation where price fluctuations have ceased and the value remains steady at a specific level. The passage indicates that while tea prices rose dramatically in the previous year, they have now reached a plateau. By stating that the prices are holding at a rather high level without further significant upward or downward movement during the period described, the text implies a state of consistency or equilibrium. This steady state at a high price point occurs before the downtrend mentioned in the subsequent sentence, making it the most logically consistent term for prices that have stopped rising but have not yet begun to fall.

Explanation

The idiom creature of habit refers to a person who follows a fixed routine and performs the same actions in a predictable, consistent manner. Such individuals rely on established patterns of behavior and often feel uncomfortable or unsettled when their daily routines are disrupted or changed.

Explanation

The sentence requires the possessive form of the neuter pronoun to indicate that the motherboard belongs to the computer. In English grammar, its is the possessive adjective used for inanimate objects or animals without a specified gender. The word it's is a contraction of it is or it has and is grammatically incorrect in this context as it would change the meaning to a computer can't function without it is motherboard. Therefore, the apostrophe must be removed to correctly denote possession.

Explanation

The idiom hit the roof is a figurative expression used to describe a person who suddenly becomes extremely angry or loses their temper. The phrase evokes the image of someone reacting so explosively to a situation that they figuratively fly upward and strike the ceiling. It is commonly used in informal English to emphasize the intensity and volatility of a person's rage or frustration in response to a specific event or piece of news.

Explanation

The term omnipotent is derived from the Latin prefix omni-, meaning all, and the word potens, meaning powerful. It specifically describes an entity or being that possesses unlimited or infinite power and authority, having the ability to do anything. This term is frequently used in theological and literary contexts to denote supreme power and absolute control over all things.

Explanation

The definite article "the" is required here to form the phrase "the number of." In English grammar, "the number of" is used to refer to a specific total or quantity and acts as a singular noun phrase. This matches the singular verb "has increased" used later in the sentence. This construction focuses on the aggregate count of businesses as a single unit that is experiencing growth.

Explanation

The word efficiencies is a plural noun that refers to the various ways or instances in which a system, organization, or process is optimized to reduce waste and maximize productivity. In the context of a cloze test passage regarding business, technology, or logistics, this term is used to describe the collective improvements made to operational workflows. It fits grammatically in a position requiring a noun to act as the object of a verb like achieve, improve, or create, or as part of a phrase discussing resource management. Using the plural form signifies a broad scope of different types of optimization across various departments or functions.

Explanation

The passage establishes a specific temporal context by referring to the past three months and the subsequent four months. In economic and commodity market reporting, price fluctuations over such short-term durations are most effectively tracked using monthly data. The term monthly average price is the most logical fit here because it describes the statistical mean of tea prices recorded for each individual month within the four-month period mentioned, which allows for the observation of a consistent downtrend.

Explanation

The idiom start from scratch means to begin a task, project, or process from the very beginning without using any previous work, preparation, or existing components. It implies that any prior progress has been discarded or is non-existent, requiring one to build everything from the ground up. This phrase originally comes from sports, such as racing or cricket, where the starting line was literally scratched into the dirt, and competitors starting from that line had no head start or handicap.

Explanation

The word dark describes a condition characterized by a lack of light or being poorly lit. Its direct antonym is bright, which refers to something that emits or reflects a large amount of light, appearing vivid or luminous. In the context of the sentence, while dark indicates the absence of daylight in the evening, bright represents the presence of strong, clear light, making it the most suitable opposite.

Explanation

Sentence D serves as the introductory sentence by defining the subject, house sparrows, and establishing their broad geographical distribution in various habitats. Sentence B logically follows by classifying them as one of the most common bird species, providing context regarding their prevalence relative to the European starling and rock pigeon. Sentence C builds upon this commonality, explaining that because these birds are a constant presence around human dwellings, they are frequently overlooked. Sentence A concludes the paragraph by introducing a contrasting development; the transition word however shifts the focus from their ubiquity to the modern reality of their declining population caused by noise pollution. This structure follows a logical progression from general introduction and status to human perception and finally to a current environmental challenge.

Explanation

A magician is an entertainer who uses sleight of hand, illusions, and various tricks to perform magic for the amusement and fascination of an audience. This profession focuses on creating the appearance of supernatural feats or impossible occurrences through skill and theatrical performance.

Explanation

The term cohesion refers to the internal unity and the sticking together of the various elements within a nation-state. In the context of transnational linkages, these external forces are often described as breaking or severing this internal unity. Similarly, the verb erode is the most precise and standard academic term used to describe the gradual weakening, wearing away, or degradation of state-society relations over time. This substitution creates a grammatically parallel structure where the transnational linkages sever the cohesion and erode the relations, providing a more accurate and formal description of geopolitical and sociological shifts than the original phrasing.

Explanation

The word desolate describes a place or state that is bleak, empty, and full of misery or loneliness. Its primary connotation is one of joylessness and abandonment. In contrast, festive refers to a state or atmosphere that is jovial, celebratory, and full of life and cheer, typically associated with a festival or happy occasion. Because festive represents vibrancy and happiness while desolate represents gloom and emptiness, it serves as the most appropriate antonym.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the past perfect tense, which follows the construction: Subject + had + past participle + Object. To convert this into the passive voice, the sentence must follow the formula: Object + had been + past participle + by + Subject. In this instance, the assigned task moves to the subject position, followed by the auxiliary had been and the past participle finished. The original subject, the cashier, is introduced using the preposition by, and the adverbial phrase on time is included at the end to maintain the original meaning. Since the active verb had finished is in the past perfect, the passive form must include been to correctly reflect the completed nature of the action in the past.

Explanation

The idiom blessing in disguise refers to an event or situation that initially seems like a misfortune, problem, or piece of bad luck, but later results in a positive or beneficial outcome. In the context of the sentence, while the illness was originally perceived as a negative circumstance, it provided the opportunity for the man to meet and marry his nurse, turning the initial hardship into a significant life benefit.

Explanation

Garnish means to provide or supply with something ornamental or to adorn, especially when referring to food. This term is commonly used in culinary contexts to describe adding ingredients or items to a dish to improve its visual appeal. Decorate is the most appropriate synonym as it likewise means to make something look more attractive by adding extra items or embellishments to it. Both words share the central meaning of beautifying or enhancing the presentation of an object.

Explanation

The word determined describes a person who has made a firm decision and is resolved not to change it, showing a strong sense of purpose. Resolute is a direct synonym that characterizes someone who is admirably purposeful, unwavering, and steadfast in their intentions or actions. Both terms convey the quality of being firm in one's conviction and refusing to give up or change direction when faced with obstacles.

Explanation

The word fallacy refers to a mistaken belief, a misconception, or a failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid. It denotes an idea or statement that is fundamentally unsound or based on false logic. Error is the most appropriate synonym because it describes a mistake or a state of being wrong, which directly corresponds to the lack of truth or logic inherent in a fallacy.

Explanation

The word capricious describes someone or something that is prone to sudden, unpredictable, and unaccountable changes in mood, behavior, or value. In the context of share market prices, a capricious market is one characterized by erratic fluctuations and inconsistency. The antonym required to fill the blank must denote firmness, predictability, and a lack of sudden changes. Stable fits this requirement perfectly as it refers to a state that is steady, enduring, and not subject to wild variations, representing the direct opposite of being capricious.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical chronological sequence that explains a change in the character's behavior. The opening clause establishes her usual preference for horror movies. The first segment introduces a deviation from this norm by stating she planned to try something different yesterday. The second segment specifies the action taken as a result of that plan, which was renting the latest romantic movie. The third segment describes her positive reaction to this new experience, noting her surprise at enjoying it. The final segment uses the phrase so much so that to indicate the intensity of her enjoyment, which directly provides the cause for the concluding statement that she rented another romantic movie today. This order ensures a coherent flow of cause and effect over two days.

Explanation

The sentence contains a contextual error in the use of the phrasal verb back in. The phrasal verb back in typically refers to moving a vehicle into a space or garage in reverse. In the context of the police commanding protesters or agitators to retreat, withdraw, or move away to avoid a lathi-charge, the correct phrasal verb should be back off. Back off means to move backwards away from someone or something, often to avoid a fight or a difficult situation. Thus, the error lies in the phrase the agitators to back in.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the present continuous tense in the passive voice, which follows the structure: object + is/am/are + being + past participle + by + agent. To convert this into the active voice, the tense must remain consistent while the agent becomes the subject. The active voice structure for the present continuous tense is: subject + is/am/are + present participle (verb-ing) + object. In this case, the researcher becomes the subject, is collecting is the active verb form, and data becomes the object.

Explanation

In English grammar, comparisons must be logical and made between similar entities. The original sentence incorrectly compares a house to a person. To correct this, the possessive pronoun yours is used because it represents your house. This ensures that the size of one house is being compared to the size of another house rather than to a person. Additionally, the comparative adjective smaller is correctly paired with than to indicate a difference in degree between the two objects.

Explanation

The error lies in the use of the indefinite article a in the phrase the interior of a restaurant. According to the rules of English grammar, the indefinite article a or an is used to introduce a noun for the first time when it is non-specific. Once a specific noun has been introduced into the context—in this case, a Chinese restaurant—any subsequent reference to that same noun must use the definite article the. Since the interior being described belongs to the specific restaurant already mentioned, the sentence requires the definite article to identify it, making the correct phrasing the interior of the restaurant.

Explanation

The sentence is spelling-free because all its components are written correctly. The word software refers to the programs used by a computer, while anomaly (a-n-o-m-a-l-y) correctly denotes something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. The word virus is also spelled correctly in its medical or computing context.

In common English usage and competitive examinations, other options often contain specific spelling errors. For instance, entrepreneur is frequently misspelled by omitting the second e or r (correct: e-n-t-r-e-p-r-e-n-e-u-r), and manoeuvre is often misspelled by misplacing the vowels o and e (correct British spelling: m-a-n-o-e-u-v-r-e). Similarly, liturgy is sometimes incorrectly written with an e instead of a u. In this set, only the third sentence maintains standard orthography for every word.

Explanation

The term hostage refers to a person who is seized and held as security until certain demands or conditions are met by a third party. This state of captivity is used as a means of coercion, where the safety of the individual is made dependent on the fulfillment of specific requirements, such as the payment of a ransom, the release of other prisoners, or changes in policy. The essence of being a hostage is the involuntary detention of an individual specifically to exert leverage for external demands.

Explanation

The word several functions as a quantifier used with plural countable nouns to indicate an indefinite number that is more than two but not very many. In the context of the passage, several years ago is a standard idiomatic expression used to denote a period of time in the past without specifying the exact number of years. It logically modifies the plural noun years to establish the timeframe of when the subject moved to Ohio.

Explanation

The sentence structure uses the conjunction but to contrast the initial feeling of being overwhelmed by the logistics of moving with a more positive emotion upon finding a house in a convenient location. As a single mother without a car, finding a home situated next to a public elementary school directly addresses her need for convenience and simplifies her daily routine. In this context, discovering a solution to a major logistical hurdle would naturally result in a feeling of relief, as it mitigates the stress mentioned in the previous sentence.

Explanation

The context of the passage describes a situation where the character, Ojeya Cruz Banks, encounters unexpected difficulties and financial burdens regarding her daughter's schooling. After moving with the assumption that a house next to a school would provide convenience and free education, she discovers that the available program is only half-day and that a full-day slot requires tuition. This discovery is a source of frustration and shock for her, as indicated by her reaction to the unexpected costs in a public school system. Consequently, the surprise she encounters is negative and disruptive to her plans, making unpleasant the most appropriate descriptor for her experience.