SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the parent is attempting to register her daughter for school after the preferred full-day slots have already been filled through a lottery. The sentence describes the specific school program that was still open for enrollment and ready to be used. The word available correctly identifies that the half-day program was the only choice remaining that was obtainable and at the parent's disposal for her daughter's education at that time.

Explanation

The passage highlights the protagonist's shock upon discovering that full-day kindergarten was neither guaranteed nor free, contrary to her expectations of a public school system. The final sentence generalizes this experience, noting that many parents operate under the assumption that such programs are a standard, mandatory, and integral component of public education. The word required fits this context perfectly, as it denotes something that is officially mandated or a necessary part of a system, reflecting the widespread belief that kindergarten should be a compulsory and universally provided stage of the American public schooling process.

Explanation

The segment is further to contains a prepositional error. When indicating physical distance relative to a reference point or landmark, the comparative adjective further (or farther) should be followed by the preposition from or the conjunction than. The phrase further to is a formal idiom used in correspondence to mean in addition to or following on from, which does not fit the spatial context of the sentence. To correctly describe the location of the shop in relation to the hospital, the preposition from must be used instead of to.

Explanation

The word creative refers to the ability to produce original and imaginative ideas or work. In the context of an artist, innovative is the most appropriate synonym as it describes a person who introduces new methods or original ideas to create something inventive and unique.

Explanation

The sequence CBEAD forms the grammatically sound and meaningful sentence: I have missed my daily routine at the workplace a lot since my retirement. This arrangement follows the standard English sentence structure of Subject + Verb + Object, followed by necessary modifiers. Part (C) provides the subject and the verb in the present perfect tense. Part (B) serves as the direct object of the verb missed. Part (E) is a prepositional phrase that specifically qualifies the noun phrase daily routine. Part (A) is an adverbial phrase of degree indicating the extent of the feeling, and part (D) is a temporal prepositional phrase that provides the starting point in time for the action, which is a characteristic use of the word since with the present perfect tense.

Explanation

The word stunning is used to describe something that is exceptionally beautiful, impressive, or striking. In the context of a mountain view, it implies a scene that is extraordinary and breathtaking. An antonym must represent the opposite quality, indicating something that is dull, ordinary, or lacking in interest. The word mundane specifically refers to things that are commonplace, routine, or unexciting, thus serving as the most appropriate opposite to stunning.

Explanation

The sentence provided is in the passive voice using the simple past tense, as indicated by the structure were + past participle (bought). To convert a simple past passive sentence into the active voice, the object of the preposition by (my friend) becomes the subject, and the verb is changed to its simple past active form (bought). Therefore, the active voice construction is My friend bought the concert tickets.

Explanation

The term morbid refers to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing or unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease. It is often used to describe feelings, ideas, or atmospheres that are unwholesomely dismal or sensitive. Gloomy serves as a synonym because it describes a state of darkness, depression, or a lack of hope, capturing the same somber and pessimistic quality inherent in the word morbid.

Explanation

The idiom henpecked refers to a man who is habitually nagged, bullied, or intimidated by his wife. It draws an analogy to the behavior of a hen pecking at a rooster to assert dominance. In a social or domestic context, a henpecked husband is characterized by his subservience and lack of authority within the household, as he is subjected to the constant control and criticism of his spouse. Consequently, such a husband is viewed as being oppressed or browbeaten by his partner.

Explanation

The segment contains the misspelled word inandated. The correct spelling is inundated, which means to overwhelm with things or people to be dealt with, or to flood. It is derived from the Latin word inundare. In the context of the sentence, it describes how Big Data has overwhelmed or flooded the education industry. The error specifically occurs in the second syllable, where the letter a was used instead of the letter u.

Explanation

The word hinder refers to the action of obstructing, impeding, or delaying progress by creating difficulties. Its most appropriate antonym is facilitate, which means to make a process or action easier or more efficient. Facilitating involves removing obstacles and providing assistance to ensure smooth progress, which is the direct opposite of creating barriers or delays as described by the term hinder.

Explanation

The word inevitable refers to something that is certain to happen and cannot be prevented or escaped. Its direct antonym is avoidable, which describes an event, situation, or outcome that can be shunned, prevented, or stayed away from through deliberate action or choice. While inevitable implies a sense of certainty and necessity, avoidable signifies that an occurrence is not fixed and can be bypassed.

Explanation

Demography is the scientific and statistical study of human populations, primarily focusing on their size, density, and distribution. It involves the analysis of vital statistics such as birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns to understand how populations change over time. Derived from the Greek words demos (meaning people) and graphy (meaning study or writing), this field provides essential data for social, economic, and political planning.

Explanation

The phrase It rain contains a grammatical error related to subject-verb agreement in the simple present tense. In English grammar, when the subject is a third-person singular pronoun such as He, She, or It, the base form of the verb must take the suffix -s or -es. Since the subject here is It, the correct verb form should be rains. The sentence must be written as It rains a lot in this part of the country to be grammatically accurate.

Explanation

The sentence structure follows a logical progression starting with part D, which serves as an introductory prepositional phrase identifying the source of the statement. This is followed by part B, the main clause that introduces the subject, Brahma, and his primary attribute. Part C functions as a coordinating clause that extends the description of the subject using the pronoun He to refer back to Brahma. The sequence concludes with part A, which provides the necessary direct object for the verb has made in part C, completing the meaning of the sentence. The fully assembled sentence reads: In the book of Hindu mythology, it is written that Brahma is the God of creation and it is He who has made all the plants and animals of today.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the simple past tense (did not greet). To convert a sentence from active to passive voice in the simple past tense, the structure used is: Subject + was/were + not + past participle (V3) + by + Object. Here, the object of the active sentence (her) becomes the subject (She), and the past participle of the verb greet is greeted. Following this rule, the passive form is "She was not greeted by Inayat."

Explanation

The sentence follows the rule of the sequence of tenses, which states that if the principal clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clause should also be in the past tense. The main verb "was" established the timeframe in the past, necessitating a past tense verb in the "that" clause. Among the given options, only "were" and "have been" are past forms, but "have been" (option b) is grammatically incorrect because it does not agree with the singular subject "she."

Option d) "were" is the correct choice as it maintains tense consistency. In formal English, "were" is also the subjunctive form used for all persons to describe hypothetical, imaginary, or counterfactual situations. Since the subject was "foolish enough to think" something that was presumably not true, the subjunctive "were" appropriately reflects the erroneous nature of her belief while adhering to the required past tense structure.

Explanation

Nepotism is the specific term used to describe the practice of individuals in positions of power or influence favoring their own relatives, especially by giving them jobs or promotions. The word originates from the Italian nepotismo, based on the Latin nepos, meaning nephew, referring to the historical practice of high-ranking church officials granting lucrative positions to their family members. In modern professional and industrial contexts, it signifies a breach of meritocracy where family ties are prioritized over qualifications and competence during recruitment and career advancement.

Explanation

The idiom break a leg is a widely used expression to wish someone good luck, specifically before they perform on stage or deliver a public speech. It is rooted in theatrical superstition, where wishing for something bad is thought to bring about the opposite result of a successful performance. Since Roshan is preparing to address the entire school, this idiom accurately substitutes the phrase wishing you luck to do well.

Explanation

The word adapt means to change one's behavior or thinking to deal with a new situation or environment successfully. In the given context, it refers to the process of modification or accommodation required when encountering unfamiliar surroundings. Adjust is a direct synonym as it also means to alter something slightly to make it more suitable for a specific purpose or to become used to a new way of life or set of circumstances. Both terms describe the evolutionary or behavioral transition of aligning oneself with external requirements.

Explanation

A pessimist is a person who habitually sees or anticipates the worst in any situation. This individual typically focuses on negative aspects, expects unfavorable outcomes, and believes that the world or specific events are inherently inclined toward failure or hardship. The term is derived from the Latin word pessimus, meaning worst.

Explanation

The word number is the grammatically correct choice because heart-attacks is a plural countable noun. In English grammar, the term number is used to denote a quantity of items that can be counted individually, while amount is reserved for uncountable substances or abstract concepts. The phrase the number of heart-attacks effectively quantifies the increasing frequency of these specific medical occurrences as described in the context of the passage.

Explanation

The grammatical subject of the sentence is the noun phrase starting with the definite article "the" in blank (1), followed by "of heart-attacks". Whether the missing word in blank (1) is incidence, frequency, or number, the head of the subject phrase is singular. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject must be paired with a singular auxiliary verb. The sentence utilizes the present perfect tense to describe a trend that began recently and continues to the present, which is formed using "has" plus the past participle "increased". Therefore, the singular auxiliary "has" is the correct choice to agree with the singular subject.

Explanation

The sentence structure requires a subordinating conjunction to introduce a concessive clause, acknowledging the importance of physical factors while introducing mental health as another critical component. Although is used to show that even though the first part of the sentence is true (diet and exercise are important), it does not diminish the significance of the second part (mental health is also a valuable factor). This creates a logical flow that balances two different but related aspects of health.

Explanation

The word monumental is used to describe something that is of great importance, significance, or scale. In the context of health and wellbeing, it emphasizes that diet and exercise play an extremely significant or major role in a person's physical state. The adjective also aligns grammatically with the preceding indefinite article a, as it begins with a consonant sound. While factors like mental health are being introduced as equally valuable, the passage first acknowledges the massive importance of physical lifestyle choices using this descriptor.

Explanation

In the context of modern cities, the term fast-paced is the standard adjective used to describe a lifestyle characterized by high speed, constant activity, and significant pressure. Such an environment is directly linked to the psychological stressors mentioned in the passage, such as anxiety and depression, which are increasingly recognized as contributing factors to physical health crises like heart attacks among young urban populations.

Explanation

Chaos refers to a state of total disorder and utter confusion. The term is derived from the Greek khaos, originally meaning a vast void or chasm, but in modern usage, it specifically denotes a situation where there is a complete lack of organization or predictable behavior. It is the standard one-word substitute for a condition marked by absolute turmoil and lack of order.

Explanation

The idiom bite the bullet means to accept something difficult or unpleasant that one has been avoiding or to endure a painful situation with courage. It originates from the historical practice of having a patient bite on a bullet to endure the pain of a surgical procedure performed without anesthesia. In the context of the sentence, Raju decides to confront the difficult situation involving his boss's attitude despite the discomfort, which aligns perfectly with the definition of performing an unpleasant action in a difficult situation.

Explanation

The word occurrence is derived from the verb occur. According to English spelling rules, when a suffix beginning with a vowel, such as -ence, is added to a multi-syllable word ending in a stressed vowel-consonant pattern, the final consonant is doubled. Because the stress in the word occur falls on the final syllable, the letter r is doubled when forming the noun. Additionally, the word retains the double c from its Latin origin, occurrere. The standard suffix for this specific noun is -ence, making occurrence the accurate spelling.

Explanation

To convert a sentence containing a modal perfect (modal + have + V₃) from active to passive voice, the auxiliary verb been must be inserted between have and the past participle. The object of the active sentence (a reply) becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the original subject (Meenakshi) becomes the object of the preposition by. The grammatical structure for the passive form of modal perfects is Subject + modal verb + have + been + V₃ + by + Object. Applying this rule, Meenakshi could have sent a reply is transformed into A reply could have been sent by Meenakshi.

Explanation

Apathy refers to a state of indifference or a lack of emotion, interest, and concern. The word is derived from the Greek apatheia, where the prefix a- signifies a lack or absence and pathos denotes feeling or suffering. It describes a condition in which an individual suppresses or lacks passion and motivation, often leading to a passive stance toward life or specific activities. When a person experiences apathy, they remain unconcerned and unexcited by events that typically elicit a strong reaction in others, reflecting a profound absence of enthusiasm.

Explanation

Beseech means to ask someone urgently and fervently to do something, often in an emotional or desperate manner. Implore is its direct synonym, as it also refers to the act of begging or entreating someone earnestly to perform an action. Both words convey a sense of urgency and deep sincerity in making a request.

Explanation

In English grammar, an adverb is required to modify a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. In the sentence provided, the word being modified is the verb sings. While good is an adjective used to describe nouns or pronouns, well functions as the corresponding adverb. Since the sentence describes the quality of the action performed by the subject, the adverbial form well must be used to modify the verb correctly.

Explanation

The sequence POQR constructs a coherent sentence by following a logical progression from a main assertion to its functional results. Part P functions as the primary independent clause, stating the core idea that society benefits from diversity. Part O provides the necessary explanation for this benefit by introducing a prepositional phrase that describes the development of understanding and empathy. Finally, parts Q and R conclude the sentence with a participial phrase that highlights the broader consequences of this social dynamic. The present participle enriching in part Q introduces the cumulative effect on cultures and perspectives from around the world, with the conjunction and in part Q correctly linking these two plural nouns to complete the thought.

Explanation

The grammatical structure "No sooner... than" is a correlative conjunction used to indicate that one event happens immediately after another. When a sentence begins with the negative expression "No sooner," it requires an inverted word order—where the auxiliary verb "did" or "had" precedes the subject—and must be paired specifically with the conjunction "than" to introduce the second action. In this sentence, "than" correctly completes the comparative construction initiated by "No sooner," establishing the temporal relationship between the end of the lecture and the departure of the students.

Explanation

Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. The term is derived from the Greek words archaios, meaning ancient, and logos, meaning study or discourse. It focuses on recovering material evidence such as pottery, tools, art, graves, and ruins to understand the lives, cultures, and environments of past civilizations. By systematically examining these tangible remains, researchers are able to reconstruct human activity and social evolution across different eras of time.

Explanation

A vicious cycle refers to a self-perpetuating situation where one problem leads to another, which in turn aggravates the original problem, creating a downward spiral. It describes a chain of events in which the response to a difficulty creates a new difficulty that makes the first problem more severe or harder to solve. This term is frequently used in fields like economics, medicine, and social sciences to define negative feedback loops where a specific cause leads to an effect that reinforces the cause, resulting in a continuous and deteriorating state of affairs.

Explanation

The word miraculous refers to something that is like a miracle, being extremely surprising, remarkable, or seemingly beyond the laws of nature. It describes an event or achievement that is so extraordinary that it inspires awe or wonder. Similarly, incredible means something that is difficult to believe because it is so unusual, great, or impressive. Both terms are used to characterize phenomena that are far outside the bounds of what is considered normal or standard, making them synonyms in the context of describing something wonder-inducing or supernatural in quality.

Explanation

The active voice sentence follows the simple future tense structure: Subject + will + base verb (V1) + Object. To convert this into passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the verb form changes to will be + past participle (V3). In this case, new teachers becomes the subject, followed by will be hired and the agent by the school, completing the transformation.

Explanation

Absolve means to formally declare someone free from guilt, obligation, or punishment, effectively clearing them of blame. Accuse is the most appropriate antonym because it means to charge someone with an offense or to claim that they have done something wrong. While to absolve is to release someone from a charge, to accuse is to bring a charge against them.

Explanation

The term sovereign refers to a person or entity that possesses supreme, independent authority and power over a state or a territory. In a political context, a sovereign is an ultimate overseer, such as a monarch or a head of state, who has the final decision-making power and is not subject to any external control or authority. The word is derived from the concept of sovereignty, which signifies the absolute and perpetual power of a commonwealth or a ruler to govern without being influenced by outside forces. Thus, a sovereign holds the highest rank or status of power within a defined jurisdiction.

Explanation

The word appreciate means to recognize the full worth of something or to increase in value over time. Its direct antonym is depreciate, which means to diminish in value or to disparage the importance of something. These terms are commonly used as opposites in both financial contexts, referring to the fluctuation of asset prices, and in general usage regarding the estimation of quality or merit.

Explanation

The word able refers to a person's physical or mental capability or the power to perform an action. In the context of this sentence, the restriction mentioned is a matter of legal age requirements and official regulations. When discussing what is permissible under the law or specific rules, the appropriate terms are allowed to or permitted to. Using able to suggests a lack of physical capacity to consume a beverage, whereas the intended meaning is that the law forbids it. Therefore, the phrase should be replaced with allowed to drink or permitted to drink to accurately convey the legal constraint.

Explanation

The term capitol specifically refers to a building in which a legislative body, such as the United States Congress, meets. The United States Capitol building, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., was first occupied by the federal government and Congress in November 1800. This distinguishes the physical structure from the city itself, which serves as the seat of government.

Explanation

The word magnificent is used to describe something that is extremely beautiful, impressive, or grand in scale. The word splendid is a direct synonym as it shares the same meaning of being magnificent, very impressive, or excellent in quality and appearance. Both terms are frequently used to characterize architecture, landscapes, or performances that evoke a sense of awe and admiration due to their excellence or majestic nature.

Explanation

The passage discusses technologies that create artificial digital environments. In the context of technology and computing, a simulated environment is a computer-generated representation of a real or imaginary world. Since augmented reality and virtual reality function by generating digital overlays or entirely artificial spaces to replace or enhance physical reality, the term simulated accurately describes the non-physical, computer-produced nature of these environments.

Explanation

The passage discusses the industrial applications of augmented reality (AR) technology, specifically how it assists in identifying and fixing technical issues. The word equipment refers to the tools, machinery, or apparatus necessary for a particular activity or purpose. In an industrial context, it is the standard term used to describe the collective set of machines or devices that might require maintenance or troubleshooting when they malfunction. Therefore, it perfectly fits the description of an object that an AR app would analyze to provide rapid troubleshooting information.

Explanation

The term comprehensive refers to something that is all-encompassing and thorough in its scope, dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of a particular subject. In the context of a passage describing a study, analysis, or historical record, this adjective is used to emphasize that the account is detailed and exhaustive. It signifies that the information presented provides a complete and wide-ranging overview, ensuring that every relevant component is included to provide a full understanding of the topic at hand.

Explanation

Blasphemy refers to the act of insulting or showing a contemptuous lack of reverence for God or sacred things. It specifically denotes profane or sacrilegious speech and actions that target religious doctrines, divine beings, or holy objects, often being regarded as a grave offense within various religious and historical contexts.

Explanation

When a person is transferred to a new city for work, their primary and most immediate need is finding a place to live. The term accommodation specifically refers to a room, group of rooms, or building in which someone may live or stay. In the context of relocating for a job, requesting help to find a rented accommodation is the standard and most precise way to describe the search for a residential property to occupy during the tenure of the transfer.