SSC CHSL Tier 1 2023 English Comprehension Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The idiom "blow your own trumpet" means to talk boastfully about one's own achievements, abilities, or successes. Substituting it with "brag one's own accomplishment" retains the original meaning of the sentence, which advises against boastful self-promotion in the presence of others.

Explanation

Abdication refers to the formal act of resigning or renouncing a high office, authority, or a sovereign throne.

Explanation

The word ambivalent is defined as having mixed, conflicting, or contradictory feelings or ideas about something, which results in indecision or hesitation. The antonym of this state of mind is one of complete certainty and clarity. The word unequivocal means leaving no doubt, being completely clear, unambiguous, and absolute in meaning or intention. Because unequivocal represents a state of total certainty and single-mindedness, it serves as the direct antonym to ambivalent.

Explanation

To convert a sentence from passive voice to active voice, the performer of the action (the courier) becomes the subject of the sentence, and the receiver of the action (the package) becomes the direct object. The passive verb "was delivered," which is in the simple past tense, changes to the active simple past tense verb "delivered." The remaining prepositional phrase "to the recipient's doorstep" is kept intact to complete the action's destination. This structural transition successfully converts the sentence into the active voice while maintaining its original meaning.

Explanation

The word incorrigible describes a habit, quality, or attitude that is firmly established and cannot be changed or reformed. When used to describe optimism, it refers to a positive outlook that remains constant, persistent, and unshakeable regardless of difficult circumstances. Therefore, unchanged best captures this meaning of being constant, firm, and unaffected by external difficulties.

Explanation

The auxiliary verb "are" requires the present participle form of the verb, which is "becoming" (verb + -ing), to form the present continuous tense. This tense is used to describe a gradual, ongoing process or trend occurring in the present, which aligns with the context of climatic disasters growing more frequent over time.

Explanation

The term response is the most appropriate fit because disaster preparedness and response is a well-established standard pairing in disaster management. Preparedness refers to the planning, training, and resources organized before an event occurs, while response refers to the immediate actions taken during and after the disaster to save lives and mitigate further harm. The use of this pair is also supported later in the passage, which explicitly mentions collaboration is crucial for effective disaster preparedness and response.

Explanation

The context of the sentence discusses the economic and material impacts of hurricanes disrupting the oil and gas industry. A disruption in the production and supply chain of oil and gas naturally results in a decrease in the availability of fuel, which leads directly to higher fuel prices and fuel shortages.

Explanation

The sentence discusses the escalating patterns of extreme weather events due to climate change. The preceding clause established a pattern of occurrence with the phrase "more frequent heat waves". To maintain parallel structure and logical coherence in describing the effects of changing precipitation patterns, the term "frequent" is the most appropriate fit to describe the increased occurrence of droughts and floods.

Explanation

The word sitback in the sentence is misspelled. The correct spelling is setback, which refers to a reversal in progress or a temporary defeat, fitting the context of a business facing a disadvantage due to a lack of technological knowledge.

Explanation

A proactive approach to disaster management involves taking preventive action by anticipating potential problems and preparing for them in advance. This aligns perfectly with the preceding sentences in the passage, which emphasize investing in early warning systems, improving infrastructure, strengthening emergency services, and planning for post-disaster recovery to mitigate the impacts of climatic disasters before they strike.

Explanation

The given active voice sentence is in the simple past tense, indicated by the verb "inaugurated". To convert a sentence in the simple past tense from active to passive voice, the structure follows: Subject + V2 + Object becomes Object + was/were + past participle (V3) of the verb + by + Subject.

Applying this rule, the singular object "the exhibition" is paired with the auxiliary verb "was" and the past participle "inaugurated", followed by the preposition "by" and the agent "the Governor of the state", resulting in: "The exhibition was inaugurated by the Governor of the state in a grand way."

Explanation

A graduation is a formal event that celebrates the successful completion of a course of study. The word ceremony refers to a formal public event with specific rituals and protocols, such as a dress code, lamp lighting, and the systematic distribution of certificates. Therefore, graduation ceremony is the standard collocated term that fits the context of a school hosting an organized graduation day.

Explanation

The phrase "lighting the lamp" refers to the traditional ceremonial practice of lighting a physical lamp to inaugurate an auspicious event, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and the removal of darkness. In the context of the sentence, "lighting" is the grammatically and contextually correct gerund that pairs with "the lamp" to describe this opening ritual of the graduation ceremony.

Explanation

The context of the passage describes a school graduation ceremony, which is a celebratory and positive milestone event for students. During such an event, the school principal delivers a speech aimed at inspiring, motivating, and supporting the graduating class. This positive tone is further emphasized by the subsequent clause "and blessed us for the future", which indicates that the speech was well-received, supportive, and uplifting. Therefore, the word encouraging perfectly fits the context of a graduation address meant to inspire students for their next steps in life.

Explanation

The blank requires a noun to act as the direct object of the transitive verb show. The context of the sentence involves a class representative extending a vote of thanks to the staff members. A vote of thanks is formally proposed to express appreciation and thankfulness. The noun gratitude means the feeling of being grateful or showing appreciation, which perfectly fits both the grammatical requirement and the situational context of thanking the school staff.

Explanation

The word efficient is defined as working or operating in a way that gets the maximum possible output with the minimum amount of wasted time, effort, or expense. This makes it the precise one-word substitute for the underlined description.

Explanation

The segment "the visiscitudes" contains a spelling error. The correct spelling of the word is "vicissitudes", which means a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. The error lies in the incorrect arrangement of the consonants "c" and "s" in the second and third syllables of the word.

Explanation

The passive voice sentence uses the simple past tense verb phrase "was found" and identifies "the police" as the agent performing the action. To convert this sentence into the active voice, the agent "the police" becomes the subject of the sentence, the auxiliary verb "was" is dropped, and the main verb "found" is kept in its simple past tense form. The passive subject "the victim" becomes the direct object, followed by the object complements "innocent as well as honest", resulting in the active form: "The police found the victim innocent as well as honest."

Explanation

The word astonished is a direct synonym of amazed, both of which mean feeling or showing great surprise or wonder. In the context of hearing news, expressing extreme surprise is the most appropriate fit for the sentence.

Explanation

The superlative degree adjective cleverest should be preceded by the definite article the. Therefore, the part is cleverest contains the error and should be corrected to is the cleverest.

Explanation

The word dominate means to exercise control, rule over, or govern authoritatively, which involves restricting freedom or keeping others under subjection. In contrast, liberate means to set free from control, captivity, or oppression. Since liberate represents the action of releasing someone or something from the state of being dominated, it serves as the direct antonym.

Explanation

The jumbled segments combine to form a grammatically correct and coherent sentence when arranged in the order BCAD. Part B introduces the subject, establishing that fool's literature consists of allegorical satires. Part C immediately follows to provide historical context, explaining that these satires were popular across Europe from the 15th to the 17th century. Part A then introduces the central character of these works, the fool or jester, and initiates a description of what this character represents. Finally, Part D seamlessly completes the list of traits represented by the jester, linking weaknesses with vices and grotesqueries of contemporary society. This sequence forms the complete sentence: Fool's literature is the allegorical satires popular throughout Europe from the 15th to the 17th century, featuring the fool, or jester, who represented the weaknesses, vices, and grotesqueries of contemporary society.

Explanation

Leisure refers to the time when one is free from work, duties, or other obligations, allowing a person to rest, play, or engage in activities of their own choosing. It represents periods of recreation and ease that are entirely at an individual's own disposal.

Explanation

The phrase "would revolutionise the industry" is the most appropriate substitute because the verb "revolutionise" effectively captures the intense, fundamental, and groundbreaking change implied by "transform" in the context of an ambitious entrepreneur's startup. Furthermore, "industry" is a precise synonym for "sector" in business contexts, and the use of the past conditional "would" maintains perfect grammatical agreement with the rest of the sentence, which is written in the past tense.

Explanation

The word fraudulent refers to something that is obtained, done by, or involving deception, trickery, or breach of confidence, typically for dishonest gain. Counterfeit shares this core meaning, as it describes something made in exact imitation of something valuable or genuine with the intention to deceive or defraud. Both terms represent things that are dishonest, fake, or deceptive in nature.

Explanation

The word pacify means to bring peace, calm, or soothe a difficult situation. The antonym of pacify is aggravate, which means to make a problem, injury, or offensive situation worse or more serious. In the context of the sentence, the blank requires a word that contrasts with pacify to show that we should try to calm the situation rather than make it worse.

Explanation

The word sundry means of various kinds, several, or miscellaneous, which implies a varied, multiple, or plentiful assortment of items. The word scanty means small or insufficient in quantity, limited, or meager. Therefore, scanty serves as the direct antonym by representing a scarce or limited quantity, contrasting with the varied and multiple nature of sundry.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the passive voice, using the simple past tense form "was opened". To convert this into the active voice, the agent "the official" becomes the subject of the active sentence, and the passive verb "was opened" changes to its simple past active form "opened". The receiver of the action, "the entrance of the museum", becomes the direct object, resulting in: "The official opened the entrance of the museum."

Explanation

The idiom "cry for the moon" means to desire or ask for something that is completely out of reach, impossible, or highly unrealistic. The phrase originates from the literal idea of a child crying because they want to hold or play with the moon, which is physically impossible to obtain. Therefore, it is used to describe wanting the unattainable.

Explanation

The sentence is written in the passive voice, indicated by the auxiliary verb "were", which requires the past participle form of the phrasal verb. The phrasal verb meaning to dismiss employees from their jobs, especially due to a recession, is "lay off". The past participle of the irregular verb "lay" is "laid". Combining these, "laid off" is the grammatically correct and correctly spelled form to complete the sentence.

Explanation

The preposition "in" is used before the names of cities, towns, states, and regions to indicate being inside the boundaries of a geographical area. Since Daman is a specific territory and city, "in" is the correct preposition to denote that the family lost their way within its geographical limits.

Explanation

The phrasal verb brighten up means to suddenly become more cheerful, happy, or lively. In the sentence, Amal becomes happy and excited upon hearing that he can accompany them, making brightened up when they the grammatically correct and contextually appropriate substitution.

Explanation

The idiom "cut corners" means to do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality, safety, or thoroughness. In the context of the sentence, using cheap materials to save time and effort instead of doing the job properly represents taking an easy shortcut to save resources and effort.

Explanation

A folktale is a traditional story that is passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition or the spoken word. It forms a part of the popular culture of a community or nation, reflecting its beliefs and customs through narrative.

Explanation

The preposition within is used to indicate that something is inside the limits or interior of a building or space. Since the Mona Lisa is housed and displayed inside the Louvre Museum in Paris, within is the grammatically and factually correct choice to describe the location of the painting inside the museum.

Explanation

The word baffled, meaning perplexed or bewildered, best fits the context of the passage, as viewers who expect a grand masterpiece are likely confused or surprised by the small and modest reality of the actual painting. This confusion is further supported by the subsequent sentence which mentions viewers wondering what all the fuss is about.

Explanation

The idiom "what all the fuss is about" is a well-known English expression used to describe a situation where people are showing an immense amount of excitement, activity, or attention toward something. In this passage, the author describes how visitors who see the Mona Lisa up close are often surprised by its modest and small appearance, leading them to question why the painting receives such extraordinary global attention and excitement. Therefore, this word fits the context and the idiomatic structure of the sentence.

Explanation

The word enigmatic means mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand, which perfectly aligns with the context of the passage. The text repeatedly emphasizes the mysterious nature of the Mona Lisa, mentioning the mysteries of her identity, her smile, and referring to the painting's popularity as one of its many conundrums. Describing her expression as an enigmatic look fits this theme of mystery and ambiguity.

Explanation

The word inherent means existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute. In this context, the passage explains that the fame of the Mona Lisa is a combination of external chance circumstances and the intrinsic, natural qualities of the artwork itself. Using inherent to describe the painting's appeal perfectly captures this concept of intrinsic artistic value and qualities that belong naturally to the masterpiece, such as its revolutionary technique and composition, which contribute directly to its lasting charm.

Explanation

The idiom "added fuel to the fire" means to act or speak in a way that makes an already bad, difficult, or angry situation even worse. In this context, making fun of a sage who was already angry intensified their anger and worsened the situation, which precisely aligns with the meaning of the underlined segment.

Explanation

The word quell means to put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force, or to subdue or silence unpleasant thoughts or feelings. The word suppress is the most appropriate synonym as it likewise means to forcibly put an end to something, prevent its development, or restrain a reaction or emotion.

Explanation

The idiom "out of gear" means to be in a state of disorder, disruption, or not functioning properly. When an organization, system, or machinery is described as being "out of gear," it indicates that its regular and orderly operations have been interrupted, which perfectly fits the context of the factory and its machinery being left in disarray due to the strike.

Explanation

A ballad is a form of narrative verse that tells a story, characterized by a regular, song-like rhythm and a distinct rhyme scheme, typically structured in four-line stanzas (quatrains). Historically originating as folk songs, ballads rely on these rhythmic and rhyming patterns to make the story memorable and easily shared through oral tradition.

Explanation

The word ceiling refers to the upper interior surface of a room. In this context, a ceiling fan is a standard household appliance mounted on the ceiling to circulate air, making it the grammatically and semantically correct choice for a new house.

Explanation

The sentence compares the actual performance of the musicians with what was expected by the audience. When making a comparison between two situations, the comparative degree of the adjective must be used. The comparative form of the adjective bad is worse, while worst is the superlative form. Therefore, worse must be used in conjunction with than to form a grammatically correct comparative structure.

Explanation

The word "damage" refers to physical harm caused to something, impairing its value, usefulness, or normal function. In the given sentence, "destruction" serves as the most appropriate synonym, as it refers to the process of causing severe damage, ruin, or devastation to the point that something is completely ruined or no longer exists. Both terms carry the primary meaning of causing harm, ruin, and loss.

Explanation

Repercussion refers to the indirect effect, result, or consequence of an event or action, especially one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. Both repercussion and consequence denote an outcome or aftereffect of a prior occurrence, making them direct synonyms.

Explanation

The passive voice sentence "It will be done by me" is structured in the simple future tense. To convert a simple future passive sentence into the active voice, the passive construction of "will be + past participle" (will be done) changes to the active construction of "will + base form of the verb" (will do). The object of the preposition "by me" becomes the subject "I", and the subject "It" becomes the direct object "it", resulting in the active form "I will do it."

Explanation

The word adjourn means to temporarily suspend, put off, or defer a meeting, trial, or other proceeding to a future time or place. In the context of the given sentence, suspending the meeting for lunchtime to resume it later is synonymous with postponing it. Postpone means to delay, defer, or put off an event or action until a later time, which aligns perfectly with the definition and usage of adjourn.