Search Previous Year Questions

Find real questions from previous competitive exam papers with answers and solutions.

Showing 10 question(s)
Clear

Question 91

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:

For seventeen-year-old Meera, adolescence was not merely a phase of hormonal transitions and academic aspirations—it became an arena where perception and self-worth collided with insidious intensity. In a world saturated with curated digital aesthetics and algorithm-driven beauty hierarchies, Meera’s own reflection began to feel less like truth and more like betrayal. Every scroll through her social media feed deepened a gnawing dissonance: between her authentic self and the impossible silhouettes idolized online. This wasn’t mere teenage insecurity—it manifested as a systematic devaluation of her physical self. Gradually, she adopted punitive behaviors: food became conditional, mirrors became adversaries, and compliments transformed into cryptic reminders of inadequacy. The subtle descent into dysmorphia was neither loud nor linear. Academically capable and socially pleasant, Meera wore the mask of normalcy with precision. Yet beneath the practiced smiles was a quiet implosion. She began withdrawing emotionally, rationalizing her distress as vanity, and trivializing her worth. The turning point came not with drama, but with silence—a refusal to eat for days, which led to medical intervention. Therapeutic engagement introduced her to the concept of self-image distortion, and the emotional scaffolding required to rebuild her fractured sense of identity. Through sustained counseling, Meera disentangled societal impositions from intrinsic value. She began to internalize that beauty is not a monolith dictated by culture but a spectrum shaped by diversity, health, and self-compassion. Meera’s narrative is not a singular anomaly but a mirror to a larger epidemic— where teenagers battle unspoken wars behind flawless digital façades. Combating this requires more than awareness; it calls for critical media literacy, empathetic environments, and systemic redefinition of beauty norms that extend beyond superficial metrics.

How does the passage describe Meera's psychological decline?

  1. AOption (a)

    Abrupt and confrontational

  2. BOption (b)

    Erratic and attention-seeking

  3. COption (c)

    Subtle and inwardly destructive

  4. DOption (d)

    Vocal and rebellious

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Subtle and inwardly destructive

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Subtle and inwardly destructive.

The passage highlights Meera's psychological decline as a gradual, introspective process, marked by internal struggles rather than outward confrontation or dramatic behavior.

Question 92

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:

For seventeen-year-old Meera, adolescence was not merely a phase of hormonal transitions and academic aspirations—it became an arena where perception and self-worth collided with insidious intensity. In a world saturated with curated digital aesthetics and algorithm-driven beauty hierarchies, Meera’s own reflection began to feel less like truth and more like betrayal. Every scroll through her social media feed deepened a gnawing dissonance: between her authentic self and the impossible silhouettes idolized online. This wasn’t mere teenage insecurity—it manifested as a systematic devaluation of her physical self. Gradually, she adopted punitive behaviors: food became conditional, mirrors became adversaries, and compliments transformed into cryptic reminders of inadequacy. The subtle descent into dysmorphia was neither loud nor linear. Academically capable and socially pleasant, Meera wore the mask of normalcy with precision. Yet beneath the practiced smiles was a quiet implosion. She began withdrawing emotionally, rationalizing her distress as vanity, and trivializing her worth. The turning point came not with drama, but with silence—a refusal to eat for days, which led to medical intervention. Therapeutic engagement introduced her to the concept of self-image distortion, and the emotional scaffolding required to rebuild her fractured sense of identity. Through sustained counseling, Meera disentangled societal impositions from intrinsic value. She began to internalize that beauty is not a monolith dictated by culture but a spectrum shaped by diversity, health, and self-compassion. Meera’s narrative is not a singular anomaly but a mirror to a larger epidemic— where teenagers battle unspoken wars behind flawless digital façades. Combating this requires more than awareness; it calls for critical media literacy, empathetic environments, and systemic redefinition of beauty norms that extend beyond superficial metrics.

What concept helped Meera begin recovering emotionally?

  1. AOption (a)

    Narcissistic validation

  2. BOption (b)

    Self-image distortion

  3. COption (c)

    Social withdrawal management

  4. DOption (d)

    Behavioral conditioning

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Self-image distortion

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Self-image distortion. Meera began recovering emotionally by addressing distortions in her self-image, which likely helped her rebuild confidence and improve her emotional well-being, as implied by the passage.

Question 93

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:

For seventeen-year-old Meera, adolescence was not merely a phase of hormonal transitions and academic aspirations—it became an arena where perception and self-worth collided with insidious intensity. In a world saturated with curated digital aesthetics and algorithm-driven beauty hierarchies, Meera’s own reflection began to feel less like truth and more like betrayal. Every scroll through her social media feed deepened a gnawing dissonance: between her authentic self and the impossible silhouettes idolized online. This wasn’t mere teenage insecurity—it manifested as a systematic devaluation of her physical self. Gradually, she adopted punitive behaviors: food became conditional, mirrors became adversaries, and compliments transformed into cryptic reminders of inadequacy. The subtle descent into dysmorphia was neither loud nor linear. Academically capable and socially pleasant, Meera wore the mask of normalcy with precision. Yet beneath the practiced smiles was a quiet implosion. She began withdrawing emotionally, rationalizing her distress as vanity, and trivializing her worth. The turning point came not with drama, but with silence—a refusal to eat for days, which led to medical intervention. Therapeutic engagement introduced her to the concept of self-image distortion, and the emotional scaffolding required to rebuild her fractured sense of identity. Through sustained counseling, Meera disentangled societal impositions from intrinsic value. She began to internalize that beauty is not a monolith dictated by culture but a spectrum shaped by diversity, health, and self-compassion. Meera’s narrative is not a singular anomaly but a mirror to a larger epidemic— where teenagers battle unspoken wars behind flawless digital façades. Combating this requires more than awareness; it calls for critical media literacy, empathetic environments, and systemic redefinition of beauty norms that extend beyond superficial metrics.

Which of the following best captures the central theme of the passage?

  1. AOption (a)

    The influence of peer pressure on teens

  2. BOption (b)

    Cosmetic beauty norms and fashion trends

  3. COption (c)

    Hidden psychological battles due to digital aesthetics

  4. DOption (d)

    The necessity of academic counseling for teens

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Hidden psychological battles due to digital aesthetics

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Hidden psychological battles due to digital aesthetics.

This option is correct because the passage highlights the psychological struggles teens face due to unrealistic beauty standards promoted by digital platforms.

Question 94

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:

For seventeen-year-old Meera, adolescence was not merely a phase of hormonal transitions and academic aspirations—it became an arena where perception and self-worth collided with insidious intensity. In a world saturated with curated digital aesthetics and algorithm-driven beauty hierarchies, Meera’s own reflection began to feel less like truth and more like betrayal. Every scroll through her social media feed deepened a gnawing dissonance: between her authentic self and the impossible silhouettes idolized online. This wasn’t mere teenage insecurity—it manifested as a systematic devaluation of her physical self. Gradually, she adopted punitive behaviors: food became conditional, mirrors became adversaries, and compliments transformed into cryptic reminders of inadequacy. The subtle descent into dysmorphia was neither loud nor linear. Academically capable and socially pleasant, Meera wore the mask of normalcy with precision. Yet beneath the practiced smiles was a quiet implosion. She began withdrawing emotionally, rationalizing her distress as vanity, and trivializing her worth. The turning point came not with drama, but with silence—a refusal to eat for days, which led to medical intervention. Therapeutic engagement introduced her to the concept of self-image distortion, and the emotional scaffolding required to rebuild her fractured sense of identity. Through sustained counseling, Meera disentangled societal impositions from intrinsic value. She began to internalize that beauty is not a monolith dictated by culture but a spectrum shaped by diversity, health, and self-compassion. Meera’s narrative is not a singular anomaly but a mirror to a larger epidemic— where teenagers battle unspoken wars behind flawless digital façades. Combating this requires more than awareness; it calls for critical media literacy, empathetic environments, and systemic redefinition of beauty norms that extend beyond superficial metrics.

What is the tone of the author in the end of the paragraph?

  1. AOption (a)

    Dismissive and ironic

  2. BOption (b)

    Reflective and critical

  3. COption (c)

    Optimistic and celebratory

  4. DOption (d)

    Detached and neutral

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Reflective and critical

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Reflective and critical. The author's tone at the end of the paragraph analyzes the subject thoughtfully while offering a critical perspective, emphasizing evaluation rather than neutrality or optimism.

Question 95

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:

I suggested that he goes to the doctor immediately.

  1. AOption (a)

    go to doctor at once

  2. BOption (b)

    should goes to the doctor

  3. COption (c)

    go to the doctor immediately

  4. DOption (d)

    should have go to the doctor

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

go to the doctor immediately

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'go to the doctor immediately'.

 

Key Points

  • The sentence is in the subjunctive mood, which is used to express suggestions, demands, or hypothetical situations.
  • The correct structure for the subjunctive mood is "suggested that he go", where the base form of the verb "go" is used without adding "-s" or "-es" even for third-person singular subjects.
  • Option 1 uses incorrect phrasing ("go to doctor at once" is missing the article "the" before "doctor").
  • Option 2 ("should goes to the doctor") is grammatically incorrect because "goes" cannot follow "should."
  • Option 4 ("should have go to the doctor") is incorrect because the proper form would be "should have gone."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "I suggested that he go to the doctor immediately."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "go to doctor at once" is incorrect because it omits the article "the" before "doctor."
  • Option 2: "should goes to the doctor" is grammatically incorrect as "should" is followed by the base form of the verb.
  • Option 4: "should have go to the doctor" is incorrect because the correct construction would be "should have gone to the doctor."

Question 96

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:

I am used to get up early in the morning.

  1. AOption (a)

    to get up early

  2. BOption (b)

    with getting up early

  3. COption (c)

    to getting up early

  4. DOption (d)

    for getting up early

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

to getting up early

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'to getting up early'.

 

Key Points

  • The phrase "used to" is followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb).
  • Therefore, "to getting up early" is the grammatically correct choice.
  • Options 1, 2, and 4 are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "I am used to getting up early in the morning."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "to get up early" is incorrect because "used to" requires a gerund, not the base form of the verb.
  • Option 2: "with getting up early" is incorrect as "with" changes the intended meaning of the sentence.
  • Option 4: "for getting up early" is incorrect as "for" is not the correct preposition in this construction.

Question 97

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech.

She said, "He doesn't listen to me."

  1. AOption (a)

    She said he don't listen to her.

  2. BOption (b)

    She said that he doesn't listened to her.

  3. COption (c)

    She said that he didn't listen to her.

  4. DOption (d)

    She said that he didn't listened to her.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

She said that he didn't listen to her.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: She said that he didn’t listen to her.
  • Key Conversions:
  • Direct to Indirect:
  • The verb "doesn't" in the direct speech is converted to "didn't" to match the past tense as the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense.
  • The pronoun "me" is changed to "her" to match the subject "She" in the reporting clause.
  • Conjugation:
  • "Doesn't listen" is changed to "didn't listen" to maintain proper tense consistency in indirect speech.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • Quotation marks used in direct speech are removed in indirect speech.
  • The conjunction "that" is used to connect the reporting clause and the reported speech.
  • The sentence in indirect speech ends with a period.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: She said that he didn’t listen to her.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "She said he don't listen to her."
  • Incorrect usage of "don't" instead of "didn't". The verb should be in the past tense to match the reporting verb "said".
  • Option 2: "She said that he doesn’t listened to her."
  • Incorrect verb form. "Doesn't listened" is grammatically incorrect.
  • Option 4: "She said that he didn’t listened to her."
  • Incorrect verb form. "Didn’t listened" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "didn’t listen".

Question 98

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech.

The manager informed the employees that the deadline for submission had been extended by two days.

  1. AOption (a)

    "You may submit the work two days later than planned," the manager informed.

  2. BOption (b)

    "The deadline has been extended by two days," said the manager.

  3. COption (c)

    "We are extending the submission deadline by two days," the manager said.

  4. DOption (d)

    "You must finish it within two extra days," the manager said.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

"The deadline has been extended by two days," said the manager.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: The manager informed the employees that the deadline for submission had been extended by two days.
  • Key Conversions:
  • "the deadline for submission had been extended" becomes "The deadline has been extended"
  • In direct speech, the past perfect tense ("had been extended") is changed to the present perfect tense ("has been extended") to reflect the immediacy of the direct statement.
  • "by two days" remains "by two days"
  • The time frame stays unchanged as it accurately conveys the information.
  • Reporting Verb:
  • Indirect: "informed"
  • Converted to: "said" in direct speech to reflect a neutral reporting tone.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
  • Starts with a capital letter "The" and ends with a period ".".
  • Reporting clause follows the quoted speech, starting with a lowercase letter after the comma.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "The deadline has been extended by two days," said the manager.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "You may submit the work two days later than planned," the manager informed.
  • This changes the form of the statement to a permission-based one ("You may"), which is not implied in the original sentence.
  • Option 3: "We are extending the submission deadline by two days," the manager said.
  • Changes the tense from past perfect in the indirect sentence to present continuous in direct speech, which is incorrect.
  • Option 4: "You must finish it within two extra days," the manager said.
  • Alters the meaning of the sentence by suggesting a strict requirement ("must finish"), which is not indicated in the original statement.

Question 99

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

  1. These narratives often explore the ethical and social consequences of technological advancement, from artificial intelligence to genetic engineering.

  2. Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and technology.

  3. This makes it a powerful tool for social commentary and for anticipating future challenges and dilemmas.

  4. While entertaining, the genre serves a purpose beyond mere escapism.

  1. AOption (a)

    2, 4, 1, 3

  2. BOption (b)

    1, 3, 2, 4

  3. COption (c)

    4, 1, 3, 2

  4. DOption (d)

    2, 1, 4, 3

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

2, 4, 1, 3

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • The paragraph introduces the genre of science fiction and elaborates on its purpose and implications.
  • Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it defines science fiction:
  • "Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and technology."
  • Sentence 4 follows as it explains the genre's purpose beyond entertainment:
  • "While entertaining, the genre serves a purpose beyond mere escapism."
  • Sentence 1 is next as it elaborates on the themes explored in science fiction:
  • "These narratives often explore the ethical and social consequences of technological advancement, from artificial intelligence to genetic engineering."
  • Sentence 3 is the last sentence as it concludes by emphasizing the genre's significance:
  • "This makes it a powerful tool for social commentary and for anticipating future challenges and dilemmas."
  • The correct sequence is 2, 4, 1, 3.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and technology. While entertaining, the genre serves a purpose beyond mere escapism. These narratives often explore the ethical and social consequences of technological advancement, from artificial intelligence to genetic engineering. This makes it a powerful tool for social commentary and for anticipating future challenges and dilemmas."

Question 100

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

  1. This process ensures that the food we eat is safe and does not contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants.

  2. Food processing is a series of methods used to transform raw ingredients into consumable products.

  3. These methods can range from simple actions like cutting and grinding to more complex procedures such as pasteurization and fermentation.

  4. Furthermore, it also helps to preserve food, extend its shelf life, and enhance its nutritional value.

  1. AOption (a)

    2, 3, 1, 4

  2. BOption (b)

    1, 2, 3, 4

  3. COption (c)

    3, 1, 4, 2

  4. DOption (d)

    4, 2, 1, 3

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

2, 3, 1, 4

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • The paragraph logically introduces the concept of food processing and its relevance in a coherent manner.
  • Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it defines food processing:
  • "Food processing is a series of methods used to transform raw ingredients into consumable products."
  • Sentence 3 follows as it elaborates on the various methods of food processing:
  • "These methods can range from simple actions like cutting and grinding to more complex procedures such as pasteurization and fermentation."
  • Sentence 1 is the third sentence as it explains the importance of food processing in ensuring food safety:
  • "This process ensures that the food we eat is safe and does not contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants."
  • Sentence 4 is the final sentence as it concludes with the benefits of food processing:
  • "Furthermore, it also helps to preserve food, extend its shelf life, and enhance its nutritional value."
  • The correct sequence is 2, 3, 1, 4.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Food processing is a series of methods used to transform raw ingredients into consumable products. These methods can range from simple actions like cutting and grinding to more complex procedures such as pasteurization and fermentation. This process ensures that the food we eat is safe and does not contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants. Furthermore, it also helps to preserve food, extend its shelf life, and enhance its nutritional value."

Page 10