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Question 131

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

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A professional who prepares maps'.

  1. AOption (a)

    Topographer

  2. BOption (b)

    Cartographer

  3. COption (c)

    Geodesist

  4. DOption (d)

    Archivist

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Cartographer

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. Cartographer.

Key Points

  • The word "Cartographer" refers to a professional who is skilled in the art and science of creating maps. The term is derived from "carto," which relates to maps, and "grapher," which means one who writes or draws.
  • Option 1, "Topographer," refers to someone who studies and maps the surface features of an area, which is related but not specific to the creation of maps.
  • Option 3, "Geodesist," refers to a specialist in geodesy, which is the science of measuring and understanding Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field.
  • Option 4, "Archivist," refers to someone responsible for preserving and organizing historical records and documents, which is unrelated to map-making.

Correct sentence: A professional who prepares maps is called a Cartographer.

Additional Information

  • Cartography: The science or practice of drawing maps. It incorporates elements of art, science, and technology to represent the geography of an area visually.
  • Applications: Cartographers play a crucial role in urban planning, resource management, navigation, and even disaster management.

Question 132

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

Select the correct option:

Each of the datasets ___ been anonymized before release.

  1. AOption (a)

    have

  2. BOption (b)

    has

  3. COption (c)

    are

  4. DOption (d)

    were

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

has

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. has .

Key Points

  • The sentence reads: "Each of the datasets ___ been anonymized before release."
  • The subject of the sentence is "each," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must also be singular.
  • Among the options, "has" is the singular verb that agrees with the subject "each."
  • Thus, the correct sentence is "Each of the datasets has been anonymized before release."

Correct sentence: Each of the datasets has been anonymized before release.

Additional Information

  • Singular Subjects:
  • Words like "each, everyone, anybody, somebody" are singular and require singular verbs.
  • Examples:
  • Each of the students is responsible for their homework.
  • Somebody has left their bag on the table.
  • Plural Subjects:
  • Words like "all, both, some, many" are plural and require plural verbs.
  • Examples:
  • All of the students are present.
  • Many people have already arrived.

Question 133

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

Select the correct option:

The curator opted ___ displaying the artifact due to preservation concerns.

  1. AOption (a)

    against

  2. BOption (b)

    for

  3. COption (c)

    on

  4. DOption (d)

    with

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

against

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '1' i.e. against .

Key Points

  • The phrase "opted against" is commonly used to indicate a decision not to proceed with or agree to something.
  • In the given sentence, the curator decided not to display the artifact due to preservation concerns. Therefore, "against" is the correct choice.
  • The other options do not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence:
  • Option 2: for - "opted for" would imply choosing to display the artifact, which contradicts the intended meaning.
  • Option 3: on - "opted on" is not a correct collocation in English.
  • Option 4: with - "opted with" is also not a correct collocation in English.

Correct sentence: The curator opted against displaying the artifact due to preservation concerns.

Additional Information

  • Collocations:
  • "Opt for" is used to indicate choosing something.
  • "Opt against" is used to indicate a decision not to choose or proceed with something.

Question 134

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

Select the correct option:

Neither the editor nor the contributors ____ willing to accept the changes unconditionally.

  1. AOption (a)

    was

  2. BOption (b)

    were

  3. COption (c)

    has been

  4. DOption (d)

    is

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

were

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. were .

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence, "Neither the editor nor the contributors," is compound, connected by "neither-nor."
  • In compound subjects joined by "neither-nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • Here, the subject closer to the verb is "contributors," which is plural.
  • Hence, the verb must also be plural.

Correct sentence: Neither the editor nor the contributors were willing to accept the changes unconditionally.

Additional Information

  • Subject-Verb Agreement Rule:
  • If two subjects are joined by "neither-nor" or "either-or," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • Example 1: Neither the teacher nor the students were present. (Here, "students" is plural, so "were" is used.)
  • Example 2: Either the students or the teacher is coming. (Here, "teacher" is singular, so "is" is used.)

Question 135

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

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

That none of the representatives found the proposal viable (1)/ is less surprising than the fact (2)/ that neither the chairperson nor the legal counsel (3)/ were briefed beforehand. (4)

  1. AOption (a)

    (1)

  2. BOption (b)

    (2)

  3. COption (c)

    (3)

  4. DOption (d)

    (4)

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

(4)

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '4' i.e. "were briefed beforehand" .

Key Points

  • The error lies in part '4' of the sentence: "were briefed beforehand."
  • The subject "neither the chairperson nor the legal counsel" is singular because "neither...nor" refers to singular entities and connects them as a singular subject.
  • The correct verb form should therefore be "was briefed beforehand" to align with the singular subject.

Correct sentence: That none of the representatives found the proposal viable is less surprising than the fact that neither the chairperson nor the legal counsel was briefed beforehand.

Additional Information

  • Subject-Verb Agreement:
  • When using "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. However, when both subjects are singular, the verb must be singular.
  • For example: "Neither the teacher nor the student was present."
  • Common Errors:
  • Using a plural verb ("were") with a singular subject is a frequent mistake in sentences involving "neither...nor."

Question 136

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

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

Neither the projection of growth nor the estimation of deficit trends (1)/ appear to have accounted for the liquidity constraints (2)/ that small-scale enterprises face (3)/ during cyclical downturns in demand. (4)

  1. AOption (a)

    (1)

  2. BOption (b)

    (2)

  3. COption (c)

    (3)

  4. DOption (d)

    (4)

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

(2)

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. appear to have accounted .

Key Points

  • The error lies in part (2) of the sentence: appear to have accounted.
  • The subject of the sentence, Neither the projection of growth nor the estimation of deficit trends, is singular.
  • When two subjects are joined by "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearest subject, which in this case is singular (estimation of deficit trends).
  • Therefore, the verb should be in singular form: "appears" instead of "appear."

Correct sentence: Neither the projection of growth nor the estimation of deficit trends appears to have accounted for the liquidity constraints that small-scale enterprises face during cyclical downturns in demand.

Additional Information

  • Subject-Verb Agreement Rules:
  • When two subjects are joined by "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • For example: Neither the students nor the teacher was present.
  • Common Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement:
  • Confusion with collective nouns, compound subjects, or phrases that separate the subject from the verb.
  • Ensure the verb corresponds to the actual subject, not a nearby noun or phrase.

Question 137

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

Change the following from active to passive:

Will the authorities enforce the revised ordinance promptly?

  1. AOption (a)

    Will the revised ordinance be enforced promptly by the authorities?

  2. BOption (b)

    Will the revised ordinance being enforced promptly by the authorities?

  3. COption (c)

    Will the revised ordinance have been enforced promptly by the authorities?

  4. DOption (d)

    Will the revised ordinance enforced promptly by the authorities?

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Will the revised ordinance be enforced promptly by the authorities?

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '1' i.e. Will the revised ordinance be enforced promptly by the authorities? .

Key Points

  • The given sentence is in the active voice, where the subject (authorities) performs the action (enforce the revised ordinance).
  • In the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, and the action is expressed with be + past participle.
  • The verb tense in the active sentence is a question in the future tense using will. In the passive voice, the verb structure remains consistent with will + be + past participle.

Correct sentence: Will the revised ordinance be enforced promptly by the authorities?

Additional Information

  • Active Voice: The subject performs the action. Example: The chef cooked the meal.
  • Passive Voice: The subject receives the action. Example: The meal was cooked by the chef.
  • Rules for Passive Voice Conversion:
  • The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
  • Use the correct form of the verb to be followed by the past participle of the main verb.
  • Maintain the same tense as the active sentence.

Question 138

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

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word:

The guards stood in pike formation along the causeway.

  1. AOption (a)

    The angler pulled a large pike from the icy lake.

  2. BOption (b)

    The rebel was punished by being placed on the pike.

  3. COption (c)

    The infantry pike split the enemy's front line.

  4. DOption (d)

    The pike gleamed beside the veteran's armor.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The angler pulled a large pike from the icy lake.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '1' i.e. The angler pulled a large pike from the icy lake .

Key Points

  • The word "pike" is a homonym, meaning it has multiple meanings depending on the context of the sentence.
  • In the given sentence, "The guards stood in pike formation along the causeway," the word "pike" refers to a type of weapon or infantry formation.
  • In option 1, "The angler pulled a large pike from the icy lake," the word "pike" refers to a type of fish, which is unrelated to the weapon or formation mentioned in the original sentence.

Correct sentence: The angler pulled a large pike from the icy lake.

Additional Information

  • Homonyms are words that have the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings.
  • Examples of homonyms include:
  • Bark: The sound a dog makes (noun) or the outer covering of a tree (noun).
  • Bat: A flying mammal (noun) or a piece of equipment used in sports like cricket or baseball (noun).

Question 139

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

Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure:

The package will have been delivered by the courier before 5 PM.

  1. AOption (a)

    The courier will deliver the package before 5 PM.

  2. BOption (b)

    The courier had delivered the package before 5 PM.

  3. COption (c)

    The courier has delivered the package before 5 PM.

  4. DOption (d)

    The courier will have delivered the package before 5 PM.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

The courier will have delivered the package before 5 PM.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '4' i.e. The courier will have delivered the package before 5 PM. 

Key Points

  • The original sentence is in the future perfect passive voice structure: "The package will have been delivered by the courier before 5 PM."
  • To convert it into the active voice, the subject ("the courier") must perform the action ("deliver the package").
  • The structure of the future perfect active voice is: Subject + will have + past participle + object.

Correct sentence: The courier will have delivered the package before 5 PM.

Additional Information

  • Future Perfect Tense:
  • Structure: Subject + will have + past participle.
  • Example: I will have finished the project by tomorrow.
  • Usage: Describes actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future.
  • Active Voice:
  • In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action (e.g., "The courier delivers the package").
  • In contrast, the passive voice focuses on the action or the recipient of the action (e.g., "The package is delivered by the courier").

Question 140

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

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

India's COVID-19 vaccination campaign, while monumental in scale and intent, was fraught with complex logistical, social, and political challenges. As the world's second-most populous country, India faced the daunting task of inoculating over a billion people amid fluctuating supply chains, vaccine hesitancy, and infrastructural disparities. The initial rollout was hampered by inequitable distribution, with urban centers receiving a disproportionately higher number of doses compared to rural hinterlands. This imbalance stemmed not only from administrative centralization but also from the lack of cold-chain infrastructure in remote regions, where power outages and storage limitations rendered vaccine transport perilous. Simultaneously, vaccine skepticism—fueled by misinformation on social media and cultural misconceptions— undermined public trust. Rumors suggesting adverse effects or population control agendas percolated across digital platforms, particularly in vernacular languages, exacerbating resistance among vulnerable populations. While the introduction of CoWIN, a digital registration platform, was a significant innovation, it inadvertently marginalized large segments of the population unfamiliar with smartphones or digital literacy. The digital divide thus intersected with public health, reinforcing pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities. Despite these obstacles, India managed to recalibrate its strategy. The decentralization of vaccine procurement to states, the engagement of local influencers and religious leaders, and the use of mobile vaccination units gradually improved outreach. Furthermore, indigenous vaccine production—particularly Covishield and Covaxin—allowed India to reduce dependence on global supply chains and even undertake vaccine diplomacy under the “Vaccine Maitri” initiative. The COVID vaccination drive in India stands as a testament to the nation's capacity for mass mobilization under crisis. Yet, it also reveals the critical interplay between public trust, infrastructural resilience, and inclusive policy design—elements essential for future public health interventions in a digitally stratified society.

What was a significant unintended consequence of the CoWIN platform?

  1. AOption (a)

    It slowed down rural internet speed

  2. BOption (b)

    It led to underreporting of vaccine data

  3. COption (c)

    It excluded digitally illiterate citizens

  4. DOption (d)

    It exposed user data to hackers

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

It excluded digitally illiterate citizens

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The passage identifies the CoWIN platform as a significant innovation, but notes a major drawback: "it inadvertently marginalized large segments of the population unfamiliar with smartphones or digital literacy."
  • This marginalization is described as an intersection of the "digital divide" with public health, which reinforced existing socioeconomic inequalities.
  • While the platform was intended to streamline registration, its reliance on technology meant those without digital literacy or access to devices were left behind.
  • Option 1, 2, and 4 are not mentioned in the text as consequences of the CoWIN platform.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence from Text: "While the introduction of CoWIN... was a significant innovation, it inadvertently marginalized large segments of the population unfamiliar with smartphones or digital literacy."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: Incorrect. The text mentions a "digital divide," but does not claim the platform affected internet speeds.
  • Option 2: Incorrect. The passage does not discuss data reporting accuracy; it focuses on access and exclusion.
  • Option 4: Incorrect. While data security is a common real-world concern, it is not mentioned anywhere in this specific passage.