In this article, we have shared all 25 solved questions of English language & comprehension asked in SSC CGL tier-1 exam held on 28thAugust, 2016 (Morning shift). Please find the questions distribution in the table given below-
From the above table, we would strongly recommend that you must focus more on Sentence improvement, Reading comprehension, Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitution, Fill in the blanks, and spotting errors. Now, let us take a look of the questions to figure out their difficulty levels-
1.In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word.
COPIOUS
a. VAST
b. IDENTICAL
c. PLENTIFUL
d. MESSY
Ans. PLENTIFUL
Explanation:-‘Copious’ is used for ‘abundance in supply & quantity’. Hence, ‘plentiful’ will be the most appropriate answer for this.
2.In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word.
EXTRANEOUS
a. UNUSUAL
b. DISPIRITED
c. RELEVANT
d. INTRUSIVE
Ans. RELEVANT
Explanation:-‘Extraneous’ is used for ‘something irrelevant to the subject being dealt with’. Hence, the opposite to this will be ‘Relevant’.
3. Four words are given, out of which only one word is spelt correctly. Choose the correctly spelt word.
a. discripency
b. discripancy
c. discrepancy
d. descripancy
Ans. discrepancy
Explanation:-‘Discrepancy’ stands for ‘a lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts’.
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4. In the following questions, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the button corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the "No error" option.
The Statesman has(A)/the larger circulation of any (B)/English dailies.(C)/No Error(D)
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
Ans. B
Explanation:- superlative degree of large should be used instead of comparative degree. Hence, the correct sentence will be-“The Statesman has the largest circulation of any English dailies.”
5. In the following questions, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the button corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the "No error" option.
A period of six years (A)/ have elapsed (B)/ since I last saw her. (C)/No Error(D)
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
Ans. B
Explanation:- The correct sentence will be- “ A period of six years had elapsed since I last saw her.”
6. In the following questions, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the button corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the "No error" option.
For several years now(A)/my newspaper agent has been spelling(B)/my name in correctly.(C)/No Error(D)
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
Ans. D
Explanation:- The sentence has no issue with grammar and syntax. Hence, option(d.) is the correct one.
7. The sentences given with blanks are to be filled with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. For each question, choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it.
One of the reasons the impressionists caused such a scandal was __________ their colors were too bright.
a. because of which
b. due to
c. because
d. of
Ans. because
Explanation:- The second one expresses the reason for the first one. Hence, the appropriate connective here will be ‘because’.
8. The sentences given with blanks are to be filled with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. For each question, choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it.
She must sometimes __________ to run away.
a. has wanted
b. have wanted
c. having want
d. has want
Ans. have wanted
Explanation:- The sentence contains ‘must’ , which is always followed with ‘have’. Hence, the correct sentence will-“She must sometimes have wanted to run away.”
9. The sentences given with blanks are to be filled with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. For each question, choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it.
The bank decided to ___________ them the money as they were reliable clients.
a. let
b. lend
c. borrow
d. lease
Ans. lend
Explanation:- The verb ‘lend’ is the most suitable for banks because banks usually give loans to its clients instead of letting, borrowing, and leasing.
10. In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase and click the button corresponding to it.
Smooth ruffled feathers.
a. Comb untidy hair
b. Make people feel less offended
c. Tousle someone's hair
d. Stroke a pet animal
Ans. Make people feel less offended
Explanation:- The idiom ‘Smooth ruffled feathers’ is used to attempt to calm or placate someone who is annoyed, irritated, or upset.
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11. In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase and click the button corresponding to it.
Assume airs
a. Take tight
b. Remain calm
c. Act innocent
d. Pretend superiority
Ans. Pretend superiority
Explanation:-“ Assume airs” is used when someone is pretending to be superior.
12. In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase and click the button corresponding to it.
Play truant
a. Play a tyrant
b. Stay away from duty
c. Be responsible
d. Be alert
Ans. Stay away from duty
Explanation:- “play truant” is sometimes used in English literature when someone stay away from his duty/routine work without explanation.
13. Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentences and click the button corresponding to it.
One who studies the working of the human mind.
a. Anthropologist
b. Psychologist
c. Neurologist
d. Ethnologist
Ans. Psychologist
Explanation:- A psychologist is someone who studies the mind and behavior.
14. Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentences and click the button corresponding to it.
Place given to soldiers to live in
a. Barracks
b. Trench
c. Garage
d. Quay
Ans. Barracks
Explanation:- A barrack or barracks is a building or group of buildings built to house soldiers.
15. Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentences and click the button corresponding to it.
A person of South African Dutch descent
a. Boar
b. Boer
c. Boor
d. Bore
Ans. Boer
Explanation:- Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans noun for "farmer". In South African contexts, it also denotes the descendants of the then Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa.
16. A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
She took the cycle which he bought yesterday.
a. that he bought yesterday.
b. that he had bought yesterday
c. that he has bought yesterday
d. No Improvement
Ans. that he had bought yesterday
Explanation:- As a rule of thumb, if the first part of a sentence is in past tense, then the second part should be in past perfect tense. Hence, the correct sentence will be-“She took the cycle that he had bought yesterday.”
17. A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
I must say to a feeling of uneasiness.
a. confess
b. connive
c. utter
d. No Improvement
Ans. confess
Explanation:- the correct sentence will be-“I must confess a feeling of uneasiness.”
18. A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
The police booked a case against the taxi driver for wrong parking.
a. restricted
b. wrote
c. filed
d. No Improvement
Ans. filed
Explanation:- ‘Booked’ is used, when someone is hired on advance payment. Hence the correct sentence formation will be-“The police filed a case against the taxi driver for wrong parking.”
SSC CGL Syllabus 2018: Tier I, II, III and IV with Exam Pattern
19. A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
One of our students originates from Leh.
a. comes
b. origins
c. belongs
d. No Improvement
Ans. comes
Explanation:- ‘Origination’ or related words are used, when something is still connected with the origin. Hence, the correct sentence will be as following-
“One of our students comes from Leh.”
20. A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
Scarcely had he left the place when his friend came.
a. He had scarcely leave
b. He had left scarcely
c. He scarcely had left
d. No Improvement
Ans. No Improvement
Explanation:- The sentence needs no improvement.
A passage is given with 5 questions following it. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and click the button corresponding to it.
He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer, and then, maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish. With a loud scream he fell outwards and downwards into space. His mother had soared upwards. As he passed beneath her, he heard the swish of her wings. Then a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. But it only lasted a moment. The next moment, he felt his wings spread outwards. The wind rushed against his breast feathers, then under his stomach and against his wings. He could feel the tips of his wings cutting through the air. He was not falling headlong now. He was soaring gradually downwards and outwards.
He was no longer afraid. He just felt a bit dizzy. Then, he flapped his wings once and he soared upwards. he uttered a joyous scream and flapped them again. He soared higher. He raised his breast and banked against the wind. His mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. He answered her with another scream.
21. The young seagull dived at the fish
a. maddened by anger
b. maddened by want
c. out of spite
d. out of loneliness
Ans. maddened by want
Explanation:- The young seagull dived at the fish maddened by hunger or want.
22. His heart stood still because he was seized by ______
a. a monstrous fury
b. courage
c. a monstrous terror
d. joy
Ans. a monstrous terror
Explanation:- the supported sentences for this question are as follows-
“As he passed beneath her, he heard the swish of her wings. Then a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still.”
23. He was not falling headlong but
a. he was afraid
b. he was soaring downwards and outwards
c. his stomach was full
d. he was joining his father
Ans. he was soaring downwards and outwards
Explanation:- the supported sentences for this question are as follows-
“He was not falling headlong now. He was soaring gradually downwards and outwards.”
24. The seagull just felt dizzy
a. and was filled with fear
b. and was no longer afraid
c. and did not flap his wings anymore
d. and dived lower
Ans. and was no longer afraid
Explanation:- Consider the following lines for the answer-
“He was no longer afraid. He just felt a bit dizzy.”
25. What did the young seagull do when his mother swooped past him?
a. Let out a joyous scream
b. Screamed at her in anger
c. Made a loud noise
d. Flapped anxiously
Ans. Let out a joyous scream
Explanation:- Find the supported answer from the following sentences-
“He uttered a joyous scream and flapped them again. He soared higher. He raised his breast and banked against the wind. His mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise.”