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Question 371

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

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

She insisted that she comes with us.

  1. AOption (a)

    came with us

  2. BOption (b)

    should come with us

  3. COption (c)

    is coming with us

  4. DOption (d)

    has to come with us

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

should come with us

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'should come with us'.

 

Key Points

  • The verb phrase "should come" is used to express an insistence or suggestion in reported speech.
  • The original sentence uses "comes," which is grammatically incorrect in this context.
  • Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect because they do not convey the appropriate meaning of insistence in the given situation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: "She insisted that she should come with us."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "came with us" is incorrect because the past tense "came" does not reflect the insistence correctly in reported speech.
  • Option 3: "is coming with us" is incorrect because it implies a present action, which does not align with the context of insistence.
  • Option 4: "has to come with us" is incorrect because "has to" implies a necessity rather than insistence.

Question 372

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.

He speculated that, had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative.

  1. AOption (a)

    He speculated, "Had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative."

  2. BOption (b)

    He speculated, "If stochastic volatility is incorporated, valuation will perhaps be conservative."

  3. COption (c)

    He speculated, "If volatility had been incorporated, valuation perhaps more conservative."

  4. DOption (d)

    He said, "Stochastic volatility incorporation would make valuation conservative."

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

He speculated, "Had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative."

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: He speculated that, had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative.
  • Key Conversions:
  • "had stochastic volatility been incorporated" becomes "Had stochastic volatility been incorporated"
  • The subjunctive mood is retained in direct speech.
  • "the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative" remains "the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative"
  • The tense and structure are unchanged as the statement is speculative and hypothetical.
  • Reporting verb:
  • Indirect: "He speculated that"
  • Converted to: "He speculated," maintaining the hypothetical tone.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
  • The sentence starts with a capital letter "Had" and ends with a period ".".
  • Reporting clause precedes the quoted speech, ending with a comma.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: "He speculated, ‘Had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative.’"

 

Additional Information

  • Option 2: "He speculated, ‘If stochastic volatility is incorporated, valuation will perhaps be conservative.’"
  • Incorrect tense: changes the hypothetical past condition to a present/future condition.
  • Option 3: "He speculated, ‘If volatility had been incorporated, valuation perhaps more conservative.’"
  • Grammatical error: missing auxiliary verb “would have been” in the second clause.
  • Option 4: "He said, ‘Stochastic volatility incorporation would make valuation conservative.’"
  • Incorrect meaning: removes the speculative and hypothetical tone of the original sentence.

Question 373

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.

They said, "We are going on a trip."

  1. AOption (a)

    They said they are going on a trip.

  2. BOption (b)

    They said they were going on a trip.

  3. COption (c)

    They said they went on a trip.

  4. DOption (d)

    They said they had going on a trip.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

They said they were going on a trip.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: They said they were going on a trip.
  • Key Conversions:
  • Direct Speech: "We are going on a trip."
  • Indirect Speech: "They said they were going on a trip."
  • Changes:
  • The pronoun "We" changes to "They" to match the subject of the reporting speech.
  • The verb "are" (present tense) changes to "were" (past tense) to align with the rules of reported speech.
  • The reporting verb "said" remains unchanged as it simply introduces the indirect speech.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • Quotation marks are removed in indirect speech.
  • The sentence structure is adjusted to integrate the reported clause seamlessly.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "They said they were going on a trip."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "They said they are going on a trip."
  • Incorrect because the verb "are" does not change to "were," which is required for past reporting.
  • Option 3: "They said they went on a trip."
  • Incorrect because "went" (past tense) changes the meaning to indicate the trip has already been completed, which is not implied in the original direct speech.
  • Option 4: "They said they had going on a trip."
  • Incorrect because "had going" is grammatically incorrect and does not follow the rules of indirect speech.

Question 374

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

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

  1. Anthropogenic climate change, driven by the emission of greenhouse gases, is causing a wide range of disruptions to global ecosystems.

  2. Glacial retreat and the melting of polar ice caps have accelerated, contributing to a rise in global sea levels.

  3. This has led to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

  4. The collective impact of these changes poses a serious threat to human societies and biodiversity.

  1. AOption (a)

    2, 4, 3, 1

  2. BOption (b)

    3, 1, 4, 2

  3. COption (c)

    1, 3, 2, 4

  4. DOption (d)

    1, 4, 2, 3

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

1, 3, 2, 4

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

  • The paragraph discusses the disruptions caused by anthropogenic climate change and builds coherence by connecting the effects systematically.
  • Sentence 1 is the first sentence as it introduces the central theme of climate change and its anthropogenic causes:
  • "Anthropogenic climate change, driven by the emission of greenhouse gases, is causing a wide range of disruptions to global ecosystems."
  • Sentence 3 follows as it elaborates on the immediate consequences of climate change, focusing on extreme weather events:
  • "This has led to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves."
  • Sentence 2 comes next as it highlights specific phenomena like glacial retreat and rising sea levels:
  • "Glacial retreat and the melting of polar ice caps have accelerated, contributing to a rise in global sea levels."
  • Sentence 4 concludes the paragraph as it sums up the collective impact of these changes, emphasizing the threat to human societies and biodiversity:
  • "The collective impact of these changes poses a serious threat to human societies and biodiversity."
  • The correct sequence is 1, 3, 2, 4.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Anthropogenic climate change, driven by the emission of greenhouse gases, is causing a wide range of disruptions to global ecosystems. This has led to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Glacial retreat and the melting of polar ice caps have accelerated, contributing to a rise in global sea levels. The collective impact of these changes poses a serious threat to human societies and biodiversity."

Question 375

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

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

  1. This process is crucial because it ensures the integrity and reproducibility of experimental results.

  2. Scientific experimentation begins with the formulation of a testable hypothesis based on an observation or question.

  3. The data collected from these experiments is then analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the hypothesis.

  4. Next, a controlled experiment is designed and carried out to collect empirical evidence.

  1. AOption (a)

    2, 4, 3, 1

  2. BOption (b)

    4, 3, 2, 1

  3. COption (c)

    1, 2, 4, 3

  4. DOption (d)

    3, 1, 4, 2

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

2, 4, 3, 1

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

  • The paragraph explains the scientific process in a logical order, starting from the hypothesis to experimentation and analysis.
  • Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it introduces the beginning of scientific experimentation:
  • "Scientific experimentation begins with the formulation of a testable hypothesis based on an observation or question."
  • Sentence 4 follows because it details the next step of designing and conducting a controlled experiment:
  • "Next, a controlled experiment is designed and carried out to collect empirical evidence."
  • Sentence 3 is the third sentence as it discusses the analysis of the data collected during the experiment:
  • "The data collected from these experiments is then analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the hypothesis."
  • Sentence 1 is the final sentence as it emphasizes the importance of the process for ensuring the integrity and reproducibility of the results:
  • "This process is crucial because it ensures the integrity and reproducibility of experimental results."
  • The correct sequence is 2, 4, 3, 1.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Scientific experimentation begins with the formulation of a testable hypothesis based on an observation or question. Next, a controlled experiment is designed and carried out to collect empirical evidence. The data collected from these experiments is then analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the hypothesis. This process is crucial because it ensures the integrity and reproducibility of experimental results."

Question 376

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

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: LUMINOUS

  1. AOption (a)

    Dull

  2. BOption (b)

    Dim

  3. COption (c)

    Opaque

  4. DOption (d)

    Radiant

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

Radiant

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Option 4 i.e. Radiant.

Key Points

  • The word "Luminous" refers to something that emits or reflects light; it is bright or shining, especially in the dark. (प्रकाशमान, चमकीला)
  • Example: The luminous stars lit up the night sky beautifully.
  • "Radiant" means emitting rays of light or shining brightly, which makes it synonymous with "luminous." (दीप्तिमान, चमकदार)
  • Example: Her radiant smile lit up the entire room.
  • Hence, the most appropriate synonym for 'Luminous' is 'Radiant.'

Therefore, the correct answer is: Radiant.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

  • Dull (मंद, फीका): Lacking brightness or vividness; not shiny.
  • Example: The dull surface of the old mirror reflected very little light.
  • Dim (धुंधला): Not bright or clear; lacking in light.
  • Example: The room appeared dim as the lamp’s light was very weak.
  • Opaque (अस्पष्ट, अपारदर्शी): Not transparent or translucent; not allowing light to pass through.
  • Example: The opaque glass window blocked the sunlight completely.

Question 377

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

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: EXIGUOUS

  1. AOption (a)

    Scanty

  2. BOption (b)

    Huge

  3. COption (c)

    Excessive

  4. DOption (d)

    Abundant

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Scanty

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Scanty.

Key Points

  • The word "Exiguous" means something that is very small in size or quantity, or insufficient. (अत्यल्प)
  • Example: The company’s exiguous profits barely covered their operating expenses.
  • "Scanty" refers to something that is insufficient or meager in amount or size. (अल्प)
  • Example: The scanty rainfall this year has led to drought conditions in the region.
  • Hence, the synonym for "Exiguous" is "Scanty".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Scanty.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

  • Huge (विशाल): Very large in size, extent, or amount.
  • Example: The statue was so huge that it could be seen from miles away.
  • Excessive (अत्यधिक): More than what is necessary, normal, or desirable.
  • Example: The excessive use of fertilizers can harm the soil quality.
  • Abundant (प्रचुर): Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
  • Example: The forest is abundant with wildlife and natural beauty.

Question 378

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

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Abrogate.

  1. AOption (a)

    Abolish

  2. BOption (b)

    Revoke

  3. COption (c)

    Uphold

  4. DOption (d)

    Annul

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Uphold

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Option 3 i.e. Uphold.

Key Points

  • The word "Abrogate" means to repeal or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement. (रद्द करना)
  • Example: The government decided to abrogate the outdated law that hindered economic growth.
  • "Uphold" refers to maintaining or supporting something, particularly laws or principles, without letting them be repealed or discarded. (संरक्षित करना)
  • Example: The court upheld the decision to protect the environment from industrial pollution.
  • Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'Abrogate' is 'Uphold'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 3.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

  • Abolish (समाप्त करना): To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution.
  • Example: The government abolished the old tax regime to simplify the process for taxpayers.
  • Revoke (रद्द करना): To officially cancel or withdraw something, such as a law, order, or privilege.
  • Example: His driving license was revoked after the court found him guilty of reckless driving.
  • Annul (निरस्त करना): To declare something invalid, such as a law or agreement, often legally.
  • Example: The marriage was annulled due to legal discrepancies in the documentation.

Question 379

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

Choose the correct meaning of idiom:

To chew the cud of reflection

  1. AOption (a)

    Eating slowly

  2. BOption (b)

    Daydreaming without focus

  3. COption (c)

    Pondering deeply

  4. DOption (d)

    Mentally preparing for battle

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Pondering deeply

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Option 3 (Pondering deeply).

Key Points

  • The idiom "To chew the cud of reflection" means to think deeply or meditate over something. It originates from the behavior of cows chewing cud, which metaphorically represents careful and prolonged consideration. (किसी चीज़ पर गहराई से सोचना)
  • Example: After hearing the news, she sat by the window and chewed the cud of reflection, wondering what to do next.
  • To "ponder deeply" refers to careful thought or contemplation, often before making a decision or forming an opinion. (गहराई से विचार करना)
  • Example: He pondered deeply about the consequences of his actions before making a final decision.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 3 (Pondering deeply).

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

  • Option 1: Eating slowly (धीरे-धीरे खाना): This simply refers to consuming food at a slow pace.
  • Example: She enjoys eating slowly to savor every bite of her meal.
  • Option 2: Daydreaming without focus (ध्यान केंद्रित किए बिना कल्पना करना): This refers to indulging in aimless thoughts or fantasies.
  • Example: He spent the afternoon daydreaming without focus, staring out of the window.
  • Option 4: Mentally preparing for battle (युद्ध के लिए मानसिक रूप से तैयारी करना): This indicates getting ready for a challenging situation, often involving mental preparation.
  • Example: Before the debate, she spent hours mentally preparing for battle against her opponent.

Question 380

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

Choose the correct spelling of a word meaning 'witty, clever, and verbally skillful'.

  1. AOption (a)

    Persiflage

  2. BOption (b)

    Persiphledge

  3. COption (c)

    Pursiflage

  4. DOption (d)

    Persiflagee

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Persiflage

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

The correct spelling of the word meaning 'witty, clever, and verbally skillful' is ‘Persiflage’.

  • Meaning of Persiflage - light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter. (हास्यपूर्ण व्यंग्य)
  • For Example - The friendly persiflage between the talk show hosts kept the audience entertained.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Persiflage’.

Additional Information

Let’s understand the incorrect options:

  • Persiphledge - This is a misspelled version of the word and does not hold any meaning in English.
  • Pursiflage - This is also an incorrect spelling of the word.
  • Persiflagee - This is an incorrect spelling with an unnecessary additional 'e' at the end.