SSC CHSL Tier 1 2012 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct and contains no errors. The adverb slowly correctly modifies the past tense verb stepped. The prepositional phrase across the tarmac properly indicates movement over the surface of the airport runway area, and the prepositional phrase to the waiting plane correctly denotes the direction and destination of her movement. Every element of the sentence complies with standard grammatical rules.

Explanation

In English grammar, when referring to parts of the body of a specific person, possessive adjectives such as my, your, his, her, its, our, or their are used rather than the definite article the. Since the sentence refers to a specific gang member, the definite article the before arm must be replaced with the possessive adjective his to make the sentence grammatically correct. Therefore, the corrected phrase is to his arm.

Explanation

The verb repent requires a gerund rather than an infinitive. Therefore, the perfect infinitive to have been is grammatically incorrect in this sentence. It must be replaced with the gerund having been or the prepositional gerund phrase of having been to make the sentence grammatically correct, rendering the sentence as: He repented having been idle for years.

Explanation

The preposition like is used to introduce examples, functioning in the same way as such as. In the given sentence, castles is presented as an example of the remains that contribute to a city's historical and cultural richness. Using like establishes this exemplary relationship clearly and makes the sentence grammatically correct.

Explanation

The phrasal verb take on means to oppose, confront, or compete against someone in a contest, game, or fight. In this sentence, Mahesh is set to compete against John in a final match, which makes take on the correct phrasal verb to complete the statement.

Explanation

The verb deny is used to declare that something is untrue, or to state that one does not possess, have connection with, or know about something. The expression to deny knowledge of is a standard English collocation meaning to state that one does not know about a certain fact, event, or the location of someone.

Explanation

The prepositional phrase "Inspite of" is used to introduce a contrast or concession, meaning "despite" or "regardless of". In this sentence, there is a clear contrast between the strong opposition of the local people and the determination of the municipality to collect the tax. Using "Inspite of" correctly shows that the municipality is proceeding with its decision despite the obstacles and resistance from the public.

Explanation

The prepositional phrase "Contrary to" is used to introduce a fact or opinion that is the opposite of or in disagreement with another belief, opinion, or expectation. In this sentence, it is followed directly by the noun clause "what other students think" to show that the speaker's belief about Hani's trustworthiness is completely opposite to the opinion held by the other students.

Explanation

The word associate means to connect or link people, ideas, or things together in one's mind or in a practical relationship. It refers to establishing a link or relationship between entities.

Explanation

The word qualm refers to an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially regarding the moral correctness of one's conduct. Similarly, a scruple is defined as a feeling of hesitation or doubt with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action. Both words describe an internal moral hesitation or misgiving, making them synonyms.

Explanation

The word contiguous means sharing a common border or touching, indicating physical contact or immediate proximity. When two areas, properties, or objects are contiguous, they are directly next to one another. The word adjoining conveys this exact meaning, as it describes things that are joined with, next to, or sharing a common boundary.

Explanation

The word ingenious describes someone or something that is highly clever, inventive, creative, and resourceful in solving problems or designing things. The opposite of being clever, inventive, and intellectually gifted is lacking intelligence or common sense, which is defined by the word stupid. Therefore, stupid is the antonym of ingenious.

Explanation

The word diverge means to separate, branch off, or move in different directions from a common point. Its exact opposite in meaning is converge, which means to come together from different directions and meet at a single point.

Explanation

The word sinister means giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen, which represents a threatening, unfavorable, or ill-omened situation. The word auspicious is its direct antonym, meaning giving or being a sign of future success, favorable, or promising.

Explanation

The idiom "read between the lines" means to find or understand a hidden meaning that is not directly or explicitly stated in the text. In the context of precis-writing, to successfully extract the core theme or gist of a passage, one must examine the text with extreme depth and complete comprehension. Reading "thoroughly" represents this process of analyzing the material comprehensively to grasp the underlying thoughts, implicit details, and subtle nuances of the passage.

Explanation

The idiom on the square means to act in an honest, fair, and straightforward manner. It originates from the builder's square, a tool used to measure right angles to ensure accuracy and structural integrity, which became a symbol of truthfulness and integrity. Thus, acting on the square refers to behaving honestly.

Explanation

The idiom in the soup is an informal expression that means to be in a difficult, awkward, or troublesome situation. It refers to being in deep trouble, typically as a result of one's own actions or an unfortunate accident, such as breaking an important object like a parent's spectacles.

Explanation

The idiom "let the cat out of the bag" is a well-known English phrase that means to disclose or reveal a secret, often unintentionally or prematurely. In the given sentence, it indicates that the person accidentally exposed a secret while she was conversing with her parents.

Explanation

The idiom splitting hair means to make trivial, unnecessary, or excessively fine distinctions, or to argue about insignificant details. In the context of the sentence, it refers to arguing or disputing over petty points instead of focusing on the more important and larger tasks that need to be accomplished.

Explanation

The sentence uses the second conditional structure, which is used to talk about hypothetical, unlikely, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The grammatical pattern for a second conditional sentence consists of "would + base verb" in the main clause and the simple past tense in the "if" clause. Therefore, the past simple verb "got" is required to match the "would be" used in the main clause of the sentence.

Explanation

The adjective proficient is grammatically followed by the preposition in when referring to a field, subject, or trade. Conversely, the adjective expert is naturally paired with the preposition at when referring to a specific skill or practical activity. Since the sentence uses the preposition at after the underlined word, replacing proficient with expert makes the sentence grammatically correct and idiomatic.

Explanation

The phrase the chief trait of Shylock's character is grammatically superior and more idiomatic because it properly uses the definite article to specify a singular, distinct characteristic of Shylock's personality. Placing the possessive noun after the trait flows more naturally in formal English syntax, ensuring clarity and precise sentence structure.

Explanation

The phrasal verb allow for means to take something into consideration or make concessions for a particular factor when making a calculation, estimate, or plan. In this sentence, the future value of the car is being estimated by taking the factor of depreciation into account. Therefore, the preposition for is required after the verb allowing to make the sentence grammatically correct and idiomatic.

Explanation

The idiom Beauty is only skin deep is a standard English proverb meaning that physical beauty is superficial and temporary, whereas a person's character is of greater value. In this construction, the adverb only is correctly placed after the auxiliary verb is and before the adjective phrase skin deep, which it modifies.

Explanation

The sentence uses the classic English proverb, "Revolutions are not made with rose-water". This idiom, originally attributed to the French writer Nicolas Chamfort, means that significant political or social changes cannot be accomplished through gentle, easy, or pleasant methods, and instead require struggle, sacrifice, or force. The standard idiomatic phrasing of this proverb uses the preposition "with" rather than "of" to describe the means by which the action is accomplished.

Explanation

The noun enormity is used to express the extreme scale, seriousness, or moral wickedness of something perceived as bad or wrong, such as a crime. In the context of a crime being committed, realizing its enormity refers directly to understanding the grave and wicked seriousness of the act. Therefore, replacing nature with enormity provides a more precise and appropriate vocabulary choice for the sentence.

Explanation

A migrant is a person who moves from one area or country to another, particularly to seek employment, find better living conditions, or escape difficult circumstances. This term directly encompasses individuals who relocate either temporarily or permanently for work opportunities.

Explanation

The word chimerical is derived from Chimera, a mythical fire-breathing monster in Greek mythology made of parts of different animals. In English, chimerical is used to describe something that is highly improbable, imaginary, or pertaining to the nature of an unreal concept or illusion. It refers to plans, hopes, or ideas that are wildly fanciful and have no basis in reality.

Explanation

The word abdicate means to formally and voluntarily give up a high office, dignity, or royal power, such as a throne. It is derived from the Latin roots ab, meaning away from, and dicare, meaning to proclaim, which together refer to the act of renouncing or declaring oneself free from an office, duty, or position of authority.

Explanation

The term fratricide, spelled as Fatricide in the options, is derived from the Latin words frater, meaning brother, and cida, meaning killer. It refers specifically to the act of killing one's own brother.

Explanation

The word "liaison" is a noun of French origin that refers to a connection, link, or communication channel between different groups, organizations, or people. The correct spelling is l-i-a-i-s-o-n, which features two "i"s separated by an "a" before the "son" ending.

Explanation

The word descendant is a noun defined as a person, animal, or plant that is descended from a specific ancestor. Etymologically, it originates from the Old French word descendant, which is the present participle of descendre, meaning to go down. In standard English grammar, the spelling ending with -ant is the universally accepted noun form.

Explanation

The sentence describes the design and construction of the palace at Varanavata. Using the word built in the blank completes the structure so built, which means constructed in such a manner that escape was impossible in the event of a fire. This refers to the lakshagriha or the house of lac, which was specially designed with highly inflammable materials to trap the Pandavas.

Explanation

The sentence describes a secret subterranean route constructed beneath the palace to facilitate an escape. The term underground passage is a standard English collocation that refers to a covered or subterranean way allowing transit from one area to another, which perfectly fits the context of escaping a building.

Explanation

The context describes how the Pandavas consumed their time in Varanavata while remaining highly alert. In English, the standard collocation for passing a specific duration of time, such as days and nights, in a particular state of mind or activity is to spend time. Therefore, spent is the grammatically and contextually correct verb to indicate how they passed their days and nights with watchfulness.

Explanation

The preposition through is used to describe movement within, across, or from one side of a surrounded space to the other. Since a forest is an area enclosed by trees, the Pandavas rode through the forest to explore it and map out the paths. This usage correctly indicates their traversal of the wooded area to gain familiarity with its layout.

Explanation

The reflexive verb phrase acquaint oneself is idiomatically followed by the preposition with to mean making oneself familiar with or knowledgeable about something. In the context of the passage, the Pandavas made themselves familiar with every path in the forest, making with the grammatically correct preposition to fill the blank.

Explanation

The context of the passage describes the Pandavas planning their escape from the highly inflammable palace at Varanavata. Upon receiving a warning message from Vidura that Duryodhana was plotting to destroy them, they needed to flee immediately. The phrasal verb "run away" means to escape or flee from danger, which fits grammatically and contextually in the blank to indicate Vidura's advice to escape.

Explanation

In the preceding sentence, it is mentioned that Vidura sent the Pandavas a message. The correct noun to fill the blank must directly refer back to this communication. Therefore, upon receiving this message, the Pandavas began making their escape preparations.

Explanation

The passage narrates how the Pandavas were in constant danger of being immolated in the inflammable palace of lac at Varanavata. Having discovered the conspiracy, they relied on a secret underground tunnel to find a way out if the palace was set on fire. When they received Vidura's warning that Duryodhana was ready to destroy them at any moment, they immediately began making preparations to flee this life-threatening trap. In this context, the word "escape" correctly denotes their secret flight from imminent danger.

Explanation

In the context of preparing a feast, the most appropriate action is to ask people to come and partake in the meal. The verb invited correctly expresses this social gesture of welcoming everyone in the palace to share the food prepared by Kunti.

Explanation

The passage describes the escape of the Pandavas from the palace of lac at Varanavata. To ensure that the guards and watchmen would not notice their departure or interfere with their plans, Kunti served them drugged food. The drug was intended to induce drowsiness and deep sleep, making "sleepy" the most appropriate word to describe how the guards and watchmen felt after eating the meal.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, choices influenced by public opinion are described as being highly noticeable, conspicuous, or playing a highly visible role among families situated higher on the social ladder. The word prominent means widely recognized, conspicuous, or standing out clearly, which perfectly fits the description of how visible and influential public opinion is in guiding decisions within high-status social circles.

Explanation

The expression social ladder is a common metaphor used to describe hierarchical social structures, where different levels of status or class are visualized as the steps of a ladder. Because the steps of a physical ladder are called rungs, the term rungs is the most appropriate and idiomatic fit for this context, referring to those families positioned at a higher level of the social hierarchy.

Explanation

In the given context, the sentence speaks of enjoying cooking and going a step further to achieve outstanding success in that field. The verb excel means to be exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity. Combining it with the preposition as in "excel as a chef" perfectly conveys the idea of performing brilliantly and achieving distinction in the profession of a chef.

Explanation

The sentence introduces a contrasting situation where social prestige dictates choices, which hinders an individual from pursuing their personal passion. In this context, a quantifier meaning "hardly any" or "almost no" is required to show that the possibility of realizing one's dream is negligible. The word "little" is used in this negative sense to denote a negligible amount or virtually no chance, perfectly fitting the restrictive context of the passage.

Explanation

The word override means to dominate, prevail over, or set aside someone's personal preferences or feelings. In the context of the passage, societal status and prestige take precedence over an individual's personal aspirations, effectively dominating or overriding their innermost urges and forcing them to pursue a career path other than the one they truly desire.