Search Previous Year Questions

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

Showing 10 question(s)
Clear

Question 321

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

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

Neither the manager nor the employees was available.

  1. AOption (a)

    was not available

  2. BOption (b)

    were also available

  3. COption (c)

    were available

  4. DOption (d)

    was also not available

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

were available

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. were available .

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence is a compound subject joined by "Neither...nor".
  • When subjects are joined by "Neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • In this case, "employees" is plural, so the verb should be "were available".

Correct sentence: Neither the manager nor the employees were available.

Additional Information

  • Subject-Verb Agreement:
  • When two subjects are joined by "Neither...nor" or "Either...or," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • For example: "Neither John nor his friends were available."
  • Similarly: "Either the manager or the employees were present."
  • Plural Subjects:
  • When the closest subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
  • In this case, "employees" is plural, so "were" is correct.

Question 322

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, "I can solve this problem."

  1. AOption (a)

    She said that she will solve that problem.

  2. BOption (b)

    She said that she could solve this problem.

  3. COption (c)

    She said that she could solve that problem.

  4. DOption (d)

    She said she can solve the problem.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

She said that she could solve that problem.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. She said that she could solve that problem.

Key Points

  • When converting from direct speech to indirect speech, the tense of the verb often changes, especially if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
  • In this sentence, the reporting verb is "said," which is in the past tense. Therefore, "can" changes to "could."
  • The pronoun and demonstrative "this" also change to match the perspective of the speaker. "This problem" becomes "that problem."
  • Option 3 accurately reflects these changes and is the correct choice.

Correct sentence: She said that she could solve that problem.

Additional Information

  • Direct vs Indirect Speech Rules:
  • Pronouns: Pronouns change according to the perspective.
  • Tenses: Present tense in direct speech changes to past tense in indirect speech.
  • Time and Place Words: Words like "this," "now," and "here" change to "that," "then," and "there" respectively.

Question 323

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.

She said that she used to play the violin when she was young.

  1. AOption (a)

    "I played the violin when I was young," she said.

  2. BOption (b)

    "I use to play the violin when I was young," she said.

  3. COption (c)

    "I used to play the violin when I was young," she said.

  4. DOption (d)

    "I was playing the violin when I was young," she said.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

"I used to play the violin when I was young," she said.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. "I used to play the violin when I was young," she said. .

Key Points

  • The given sentence is in indirect speech, and it conveys a past habit or repeated action.
  • In direct speech, the phrase "used to" correctly indicates past habits or actions that are no longer performed.
  • The correct transformation from indirect to direct speech retains the tense and meaning.

Correct sentence: "I used to play the violin when I was young," she said.

Additional Information

  • Indirect speech often involves converting verb tenses, pronouns, and time references appropriately.
  • Here, the verb "used to play" in indirect speech directly corresponds to "used to play" in direct speech because it talks about past habits.
  • Other options either misrepresent the tense or meaning, such as "use to" (incorrect spelling) or "was playing" (different context).

Question 324

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

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

  1. This occurs because the cooling liquid traps the internal heat, preventing a standard crystal structure from forming.

  2. The resulting substance is an amorphous solid, possessing the molecular disorder of a fluid but the physical rigidity of a crystal.

  3. Rapid thermal quenching is the primary method used to bypass the natural crystallization process of certain alloys.

  4. Such structural irregularity gives the material unique properties, such as extreme strength and corrosion resistance.

  1. AOption (a)

    2, 4, 3, 1

  2. BOption (b)

    2, 3, 4, 1

  3. COption (c)

    3, 2, 4, 1

  4. DOption (d)

    3, 1, 2, 4

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

3, 1, 2, 4

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '4' i.e. 3, 1, 2, 4 .

Key Points

  • Sentence 3 (The Introduction): This sentence introduces the main topic, "Rapid thermal quenching," and its purpose (to bypass crystallization). It serves as the logical anchor for the paragraph.
  • Sentence 1 (The Mechanism): This follows by explaining why the quenching works. The phrase "This occurs because..." directly explains the result of the quenching mentioned in sentence 3 (trapping internal heat).
  • Sentence 2 (The Resulting State): Once the process and mechanism are established, this sentence describes the substance produced by this method—an amorphous solid.
  • Sentence 4 (The Properties): This sentence begins with "Such structural irregularity," which refers back to the "molecular disorder" mentioned in sentence 2. It concludes the paragraph by listing the benefits (strength and resistance).

Full Arranged Paragraph: Rapid thermal quenching is the primary method used to bypass the natural crystallization process of certain alloys. This occurs because the cooling liquid traps the internal heat, preventing a standard crystal structure from forming. The resulting substance is an amorphous solid, possessing the molecular disorder of a fluid but the physical rigidity of a crystal. Such structural irregularity gives the material unique properties, such as extreme strength and corrosion resistance.

Additional Information

  • Demonstrative Adjectives: Words like "Such" (in sentence 4) and "This" (in sentence 1) are crucial markers. They signal that these sentences must follow the specific idea or noun they are referencing.
  • Cause and Effect: Paragraphs often move from the Process (3) to the Cause (1) to the Effect/Result (2) and finally the Application/Properties (4).

Question 325

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

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

  1. This is especially useful in software development, where multiple programmers can work on the same codebase simultaneously without conflict.

  2. Version control is a system that records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later.

  3. The process involves a specific set of tools and commands that allow for the manipulation and tracking of changes.

  4. By using version control, a project can maintain a complete history of its development, allowing for easy rollback and collaboration.

  1. AOption (a)

    2, 4, 3, 1

  2. BOption (b)

    2, 3, 4, 1

  3. COption (c)

    3, 2, 4, 1

  4. DOption (d)

    4, 1, 2, 3

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

2, 4, 3, 1

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '1' i.e. 2, 4, 3, 1 .

Key Points

  • Sentence 2 (The Opening): This is an independent sentence that defines the core subject: Version Control. It serves as the logical starting point for the paragraph.
  • Sentence 4 (The Benefit): This sentence follows the definition by explaining the immediate advantages of using such a system (history, rollback, and collaboration).
  • Sentence 3 (The Method): After establishing the definition and benefits, this sentence introduces the technical aspect—the tools and commands used in the process.
  • Sentence 1 (The Application): This sentence starts with "This," which refers back to the collaborative nature and tools mentioned previously. It provides a specific real-world example in software development to conclude the thought.

Full Arranged Paragraph: Version control is a system that records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later. By using version control, a project can maintain a complete history of its development, allowing for easy rollback and collaboration. The process involves a specific set of tools and commands that allow for the manipulation and tracking of changes. This is especially useful in software development, where multiple programmers can work on the same codebase simultaneously without conflict.

Additional Information

  • Pronoun Linkage: Identifying what words like "This" or "The process" refer to is a key strategy for solving Para Jumbles. In this case, "This" in Sentence 1 refers to the collaborative tools mentioned in the preceding context.
  • Logical Progression: Paragraphs typically move from Definition (2) to Purpose (4) to Mechanism (3) and finally to Example (1).

Question 326

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

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: GARRULOUS

  1. AOption (a)

    Talkative

  2. BOption (b)

    Reserved

  3. COption (c)

    Silent

  4. DOption (d)

    Listen

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Talkative

Why this answer is correct

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

Key Points

  • The word Garrulous refers to a person who is excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
  • Among the given options, Talkative is the most appropriate synonym, as it directly matches the meaning of the word.
  • Other options like Reserved, Silent, and Listen are either antonyms or irrelevant in this context.

Correct sentence: The synonym of Garrulous is Talkative.

Additional Information

  • Other synonyms of Garrulous: Loquacious, Chatty.
  • Antonyms of Garrulous: Reserved, Quiet, Reticent.

Question 327

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

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Incessant

  1. AOption (a)

    Constant

  2. BOption (b)

    Ceaseless

  3. COption (c)

    Intermittent

  4. DOption (d)

    Perpetual

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Intermittent

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. Intermittent .

Key Points

  • The word incessant means something that continues without interruption or is constant.
  • The antonym of incessant would be a word that means something that stops or happens occasionally, which is Intermittent.
  • Options like Constant, Ceaseless, and Perpetual are synonyms of incessant, as they also imply continuity.

Correct answer: Intermittent, which means occurring at irregular intervals or not continuous.

Additional Information

  • Synonyms for Incessant: Constant, Ceaseless, Perpetual.
  • Antonym for Incessant: Intermittent.
  • In linguistic analysis, understanding antonyms helps in comprehending nuances and contrasts in meanings.

Question 328

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

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Piquant

  1. AOption (a)

    Bland

  2. BOption (b)

    Spicy

  3. COption (c)

    Zesty

  4. DOption (d)

    Tart

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Bland

Why this answer is correct

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

Key Points

  • The word 'Piquant' refers to something that is pleasantly sharp, tangy, or spicy in flavor.
  • The most appropriate antonym for 'Piquant' would be a word that means lacking flavor, sharpness, or spiciness.
  • Among the options:
  • Option 1 - Bland: This means lacking strong features or characteristics; tasteless or dull. This is the correct antonym.
  • Option 2 - Spicy: This is synonymous with 'Piquant' and thus not an antonym.
  • Option 3 - Zesty: This means full of flavor or excitement, which is also similar to 'Piquant' and not an antonym.
  • Option 4 - Tart: This refers to a sharp or sour taste, which is closer in meaning to 'Piquant' and not an antonym.

Correct answer: Option 1 - Bland.

Additional Information

  • Synonyms of 'Piquant': Spicy, Tangy, Zesty, Flavorful.
  • Antonyms of 'Piquant': Bland, Tasteless, Flavorless.

Question 329

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

Choose the correct meaning of idiom:

Carry coals to Newcastle

  1. AOption (a)

    Provide something where it is already abundant

  2. BOption (b)

    Seek advice from experts

  3. COption (c)

    Complain without cause

  4. DOption (d)

    Travel without direction

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Provide something where it is already abundant

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '1' i.e. Provide something where it is already abundant.

Key Points

  • The idiom "Carry coals to Newcastle" means to do something that is redundant or unnecessary because the place already has an abundance of the thing being provided.
  • Newcastle is a city in England that was historically known for its coal production. Hence, taking coal to Newcastle would be pointless as the city already had plenty of it.
  • This idiom is often used to describe actions that are futile or excessive.

Correct interpretation: "Provide something where it is already abundant."

Additional Information

  • Other examples of idioms with similar usage:
  • "Preaching to the choir" - giving advice to people who already agree or understand.
  • "Selling ice to Eskimos" - trying to sell something to people who don't need it.
  • Usage: This idiom is used in situations where someone's efforts are unnecessary or duplicative.

Question 330

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

Choose the correct meaning of idiom:

Toe the line

  1. AOption (a)

    Follow the leader physically

  2. BOption (b)

    Join the military

  3. COption (c)

    Obey rules or authority exactly

  4. DOption (d)

    Oppose popular opinion

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Obey rules or authority exactly

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. Obey rules or authority exactly .

Key Points

  • The idiom "Toe the line" refers to strictly adhering to rules, regulations, or instructions set by an authority.
  • It does not involve physically following a leader, joining the military, or opposing popular opinion.
  • The phrase originates from situations where individuals were required to stand with their toes aligned to a specific line, symbolizing compliance and discipline.

Correct meaning: Obey rules or authority exactly.

Additional Information

  • Origin: The idiom is thought to have originated in parliamentary settings or military environments where strict compliance was necessary.
  • Usage: The phrase is often used to describe someone who strictly follows rules or conforms to authority without deviation.