SSC CHSL Tier 1 2016 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The word aimlessly means without purpose, direction, or a clear goal. The sentence describes a person wandering through life with no clear ideas of where they are heading or what they want to accomplish, which directly matches the definition of wandering aimlessly.

Explanation

The idiom "at the drop of a hat" means to do something immediately, without any hesitation, delay, or prior planning. It originates from the 19th-century practice of dropping a hat as a quick signal to start a race or a fight, prompting participants to act instantly and without any further reason or delay.

Explanation

The introductory phrase There must be more oversight links grammatically and conceptually with part Q, which uses the coordinating conjunction and to add another parallel noun phrase, and much more accountability. Part R, in the manner in, follows to indicate where this oversight and accountability are required. Part P, which this is done, naturally completes the prepositional phrase to create the standard English construction in the manner in which. Putting these together yields the grammatically complete and meaningful sentence: There must be more oversight and much more accountability in the manner in which this is done.

Explanation

The use of the conjunction since in part B is grammatically and contextually incorrect. The conjunction since expresses a cause or reason, which does not fit the relationship between the two clauses. The sentence expresses an apology for a disturbance that was unavoidable, meaning the two statements stand in contrast to each other rather than in a cause-and-effect relationship. Therefore, an adversative conjunction such as but is required to establish this contrast. The correct phrasing is: Sorry to have troubled you; but it couldn't be helped.

Explanation

When converting a direct speech question into indirect speech, the reporting verb said is changed to asked, and the person being addressed is placed immediately after it. For questions beginning with an interrogative word like when, the same word acts as the connector. The sentence structure changes from interrogative to assertive, meaning the subject precedes the verb. Additionally, the simple present tense verb is changes to the simple past tense was because the reporting verb is in the past tense. This changes when is the next bus to when the next bus was.

Explanation

The idiom "apple of my eye" is used to refer to a person whom one loves, values, or cherishes above everyone else. Historically, the "apple" in this phrase referred to the pupil of the eye, which was once thought to be a solid, apple-shaped body. Because the pupil is essential for sight and extremely precious, the phrase evolved to describe someone who is exceptionally dear and highly treasured.

Explanation

The dummy pronoun "it" serves as the subject of the sentence, referring forward to the real subject which is the infinitive phrase. The active infinitive "to ask" is the grammatically correct form to express the action being performed, following the standard English construction "it is + adjective + to-infinitive".

Explanation

The modal verb "Could" in part A is grammatically incorrect in this context. The standard polite English expression used to offer something or invite someone to do something is "Would you like to" followed by an infinitive. "Would" is used to express a preference or desire, whereas "Could" refers to ability or possibility. Replacing "Could" with "Would" corrects the sentence to "Would you like to read his speech?".

Explanation

An atheist is defined as a person who does not believe in the existence of a deity, God, or religious doctrines. Conversely, a disciple is a devoted follower, adherent, or believer who actively accepts and spreads the teachings of a leader, philosophy, or religion. This direct contrast between non-belief and active, dedicated belief makes disciple the correct antonym.

Explanation

The verb picture means to form a mental image of someone or something, or to imagine. In this context, the sentence expresses that it was difficult to visualize or imagine the person in question being associated with illegal activities. Therefore, picture is the most appropriate verb to complete the sentence.

Explanation

The word cabinets is spelled correctly. It is the plural form of the noun cabinet, which refers to a piece of furniture with shelves or drawers used for storage, or a body of senior government ministers who advise the head of state. The correct spelling is c-a-b-i-n-e-t-s.

Explanation

The verb trumpet means to proclaim, announce, or celebrate something loudly and widely, drawing public attention to it. This term is figuratively derived from the loud, resonant, and attention-grabbing sound produced by the trumpet instrument, which historically served to broadcast important announcements or signals to a large crowd.

Explanation

The word reaffirm is spelled correctly. It is a verb that means to state, assert, or confirm something again strongly or publicly. The word is formed by combining the prefix re-, which means again, with the verb affirm, which means to state as a fact. This combined structure yields the correct spelling r-e-a-f-f-i-r-m.

Explanation

Ominous refers to giving a worrying or threatening impression that something extremely bad, disastrous, or harmful is about to happen in the future. Similarly, apocalyptic describes a situation or event that portends or represents widespread destruction, ultimate doom, or catastrophic disaster. Both terms share a core meaning of foreboding impending doom and disaster, making them synonyms.

Explanation

A placebo is an inactive substance or treatment, such as a sugar pill or saline injection, that has no active therapeutic effect. In clinical trials and medical research, it is administered to a control group of participants to serve as a baseline. This allows researchers to measure and isolate the true pharmacological efficacy of a new drug by comparing its results against the psychological and physiological effects associated with simply receiving a treatment, a phenomenon known as the placebo effect.

Explanation

The correct ordering creates a parallel list of three adjectives that modify the noun phrase editorial guidelines. The introductory fragment ends with clear, which is followed by a comma. This is logically followed by the second adjective phrase precisely formulated, and in part Q. The third adjectival modifier well-publicized editorial guidelines are in part P then completes the coordinate list of adjectives describing the guidelines. Finally, part R provides the main passive verb phrase badly needed in Indian newsrooms to complete the clause. Combining these parts in the order Q-P-R forms the grammatically correct and coherent sentence: This is where clear, precisely formulated, and well-publicized editorial guidelines are badly needed in Indian newsrooms.

Explanation

The adverb slightly means to a small degree or extent. In this sentence, it appropriately modifies the verb leaning to describe how the officer put a small amount of weight or pressure on the stick to assist with his limp as he walked.

Explanation

The sentence begins with the main clause "We should learn our lesson". The phrase "learn our lesson" is logically completed by identifying the source of learning, which is "from this history", beginning part P. The verb phrase "stay away" at the end of part P grammatically requires the preposition "from", which directly connects to "from interfering in the messy domestic politics" in part R. Finally, the noun phrase "domestic politics" is qualified by the prepositional phrase "of our neighbours" in part Q. Combining these parts in the order P-R-Q creates a grammatically correct and coherent sentence.

Explanation

In a court of law during a trial, a person called to testify provides facts or statements to help establish the truth of the matter. The appropriate legal and contextual term for this testimony is evidence. A driver, as a witness in a murder trial, gives evidence to the court to assist in the judicial process.

Explanation

The phrasal verb count on means to rely on or trust someone, particularly in times of difficulty or need. It requires an objective pronoun as its object, which is me. Therefore, replacing at me with on me makes the sentence grammatically correct.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

The verb to scowl means to contract the brow in an angry, displeased, or bad-tempered manner, expressing a frown. The direct antonym of this expression is to grin, which means to smile broadly, reflecting happiness, amusement, or pleasure.

Explanation

Repentance refers to the feeling of deep regret, guilt, or sorrow for a past action or wrongdoing. Similarly, remorse is the state of feeling sincere regret or painful guilt for some past misdeed or sin, making it a direct synonym.

Explanation

The given active voice sentence is in the simple present tense, as indicated by the verb enjoys. To convert a sentence from the active voice to the passive voice in the simple present tense, the structure is Object + is/am/are + past participle of the main verb + by + Subject.

In this sentence, the singular object that music becomes the subject in the passive voice, which requires the singular helping verb is. The adverb really remains in its position before the past participle form of the verb, which is enjoyed. The original subject the baby is placed at the end of the sentence preceded by the preposition by. This gives the passive structure: That music is really enjoyed by the baby.

Explanation

The context of the sentence discusses how journalism and the news industry are facing challenges in the digital age due to changing circumstances. The industry is trying to reclaim and reinforce its importance and value in a modern environment where its role is being questioned or diminished. The verb reassert means to state, declare, or establish something again with confidence and force. Therefore, it is the most appropriate word to describe the struggle of the industry to regain and reaffirm its position of significance.

Explanation

The word changing fits contextually and grammatically to form the coordinate adjectival phrase changed and changing. This phrase modifies the noun circumstances, indicating that the landscape of the journalism industry has already undergone a significant shift and continues to evolve dynamically in the digital era. Using the present participle changing alongside the past participle changed emphasizes both the completed transformations and the ongoing transitions that the news industry must navigate.

Explanation

The noun response standardly takes the preposition to when indicating a reaction, reply, or answer directed toward a specific situation, action, or stimulus. The complete prepositional phrase in response to is a set idiomatic expression meaning reacting to or as a result of something. In this context, it correctly describes the journalism profession's reaction to the digital age challenge.

Explanation

The verb "constitute" means to be a part of a whole, to combine to form something, or to establish and give form to a concept. In the context of the passage, it describes the specific tasks and practices that make up and define the profession of journalism. Therefore, the phrase "activities that constitute journalism" accurately refers to the essential functions that form the very foundation and definition of the field.

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the journalism industry is trying to maintain its relevance in the digital age by focusing on its most fundamental and essential professional abilities. The word core refers to the central, most important, or foundational parts of something. Therefore, strengthening core capabilities is the most logical and appropriate fit, as it directly addresses developing the essential, primary tasks of journalism that ensure its continued importance and value.

Explanation

The verb to hew means to cut, chop, or sever something with a sharp tool, which involves separating or breaking a larger object into pieces. Conversely, to agglutinate means to unite, stick, or clump things together, representing a process of bonding or joining. Because to hew signifies splitting apart and to agglutinate signifies combining together, they act as direct antonyms.

Explanation

In the context of competitive games like chess, a player seeks to place their pieces in positions that provide a superior or favorable state, which directly helps in securing a victory. The word advantageous means providing an advantage, being favorable, or being beneficial, making it the most appropriate term to describe a strategic move that leads to a win.

Explanation

The word maestro refers to a distinguished musician, especially a conductor of classical music, or a master of any art. Thus, conductor is a synonym of maestro as both denote a person who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir.

Explanation

When converting a negative imperative sentence from direct to indirect speech, the negative command starting with don't is changed to not to followed by the base form of the verb. The reporting verb said is replaced by an appropriate verb like asked or told, and the vocative noun boys, which indicates who is being addressed, becomes the direct object of this reporting verb. Consequently, said, don't move, boys becomes asked the boys not to move.

Explanation

The sentence starts with the subject and verb Public goods are, which naturally requires a complement. Part P provides this complement with the adjective important as they. The pronoun they in part P refers back to the plural subject public goods and acts as the subject for the subsequent verb mitigate in part Q. The transitive verb phrase mitigate the impact of in part Q requires a direct object, which is completed by the noun phrase income poverty and inequality in part R. Connecting these parts in the order PQR creates a grammatically complete and semantically coherent sentence.

Explanation

The phrase bent upon is a standard idiom meaning to be determined, resolved, or set on achieving a particular goal. While bent on is also used in informal English, bent upon is considered the more formal and emphatic variant. In the given sentence, it correctly expresses that the workers are firmly resolved to get a full month's pay as a bonus.

Explanation

The verb to flay means to strip the skin, bark, or outer protective covering off of something. In contrast, to sheath means to cover, encase, or enclose something in a protective casing or sheath. Thus, to sheath is the direct antonym of to flay as it represents the action of covering and protecting rather than stripping away.

Explanation

The active voice sentence is in the simple future tense, with the structure Subject (They) + will/shall + base verb (advise) + object (me).

To convert this into the passive voice, the pronoun me functions as the new subject, changing to I. The passive construction for the simple future tense follows the rule: Subject (I) + shall/will + be + past participle (advised). In standard formal grammar, the first-person pronoun I is paired with shall to indicate simple future intent or action. This results in the grammatically correct passive form: I shall be advised about the price of the accessories.

Explanation

The term rancid is used to describe substances, particularly organic materials containing fats or oils, that have spoiled or decomposed, resulting in a highly disagreeable, disgusting, and unpleasant smell or taste.

Explanation

The phrase "till for a few months of" in Part C is grammatically incorrect and unidiomatic. Using the prepositions "till" and "for" in immediate succession is redundant and structurally invalid. To make the sentence meaningful and grammatically correct, the phrase "till for" should be replaced with "even before" or "until" to properly relate the time period of her promotion to that of her resignation, resulting in "even before a few months of her resignation" or "until a few months before her resignation".

Explanation

The phrase no man is an island is a famous proverb originating from a 1624 sermon by the English poet and cleric John Donne. It expresses the idea that human beings are inherently social creatures who cannot thrive or exist in complete isolation. Every person is part of a larger community, meaning that no individual is entirely self-sufficient, and everyone must rely on the cooperation, support, and companionship of others to live a complete life.

Explanation

The verb acquaint means to make someone aware of or familiar with something. It is grammatically followed by the preposition with in the construction acquaint someone with something. In the given sentence, acquaint you with the problems perfectly fits both the grammatical requirement of the preposition with and the intended meaning of making the recipient aware of the issues faced by the society members.

Explanation

A brawl is defined as a noisy, rough, or angry fight or quarrel. Its antonym is truce (misspelled as true in the options), which denotes an agreement between opponents to stop fighting or arguing, representing a state of peace and cessation of conflict.

Explanation

nibbling is the correctly spelled present participle of the verb nibble, which means to take small, frequent bites of food. In English grammar and spelling rules, when a verb ends in a silent e, the e is dropped before adding the suffix -ing to form the continuous or participle form. Therefore, the word is written with a double b followed by l-i-n-g.

Explanation

Paraguay is the correct spelling of the landlocked country located in South America, bordered by Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.

Explanation

A stoic is an individual who can endure pain, hardship, or adversity calmly and without complaining or showing emotional distress. The term is derived from the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism, which emphasizes maintaining mental stability, self-control, and emotional resilience in the face of life's difficulties.

Explanation

The word antagonize means to cause someone to become hostile, unfriendly, or opposed to you. Similarly, alienate means to make someone feel isolated, estranged, or hostile, causing them to turn away or become unfriendly. Both terms describe the act of losing the friendship, support, or goodwill of others through offensive or hostile behavior.

Explanation

When converting an interrogative sentence from direct to indirect speech, the reporting verb said to is changed to asked.

For questions beginning with interrogative words like who, which, or where, no external conjunction like that or if is used; instead, the question word itself acts as the connector.

The sentence structure changes from interrogative to assertive, meaning the subject comes before the verb. Thus, the pronoun you changes to he to agree with the object Suraj.

The tense of the reported speech is past continuous (were waiting). When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the past continuous tense in the direct speech is converted to the past perfect continuous tense (had been waiting) in the indirect speech.

Explanation

The word offensive means causing displeasure, resentment, anger, or hurt feelings, or being highly unpleasant and objectionable. The word agreeable means pleasing, pleasant, and satisfying to the mind or senses, making it the direct antonym of offensive.

Explanation

The word incisive describes an expression or mind that is impressively direct, sharp, and clear-thinking. Similarly, concise refers to giving a lot of information in a brief, clear, and direct manner without unnecessary words. Both terms share the core meaning of being straightforward, highly focused, and effective in communication.

Explanation

The sentence starts with the main clause "I am raising these questions", which is naturally followed by the subordinating conjunction "because" in part R to explain the reason. The plural subject "such events" at the end of part R requires a plural verb, which is provided by "are" in part P ("are early warning signs"). Finally, the prepositional phrase in part Q ("of a deeper crisis") logically completes the noun phrase "early warning signs". This establishes the logical sequence R-P-Q, forming the complete sentence: "I am raising these questions because such events are early warning signs of a deeper crisis."

Explanation

The proverb "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is used to convey that the most noticeable, loudest, or most vocal problems and complaints are the ones most likely to receive immediate attention or assistance. Just as a wheel that makes a loud squeaking sound is serviced first with lubricant to make it quiet, people who actively speak up, complain, or make their needs known are the ones who get their issues addressed and resolved.