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Question 481

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

Choose the correctly spelt word for Expression of mild disapproval

  1. AOption (a)

    Expostulation

  2. BOption (b)

    Expossulation

  3. COption (c)

    Expostelation

  4. DOption (d)

    Expostullation

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Expostulation

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option(1)' i.e. 'Expostulation'.

Key Points

  • The word "Expostulation" means the act of expressing earnest disapproval or reasoning with someone gently. (हल्की आपत्ति या समझाने का प्रयास)
  • Example: Her expostulation with the child was calm and meant to correct his behavior.
  • "Expostulation" is the correct spelling that conveys the meaning of mild disapproval or protest. (नरम विरोध)
  • Example: He listened patiently to her expostulation about his careless actions.
  • The other options contain spelling errors and are not valid English words.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

  • Expossulation (गलत वर्तनी): Incorrect spelling; not a valid English word.
  • Expostelation (गलत वर्तनी): Incorrect spelling; no meaning in English.
  • Expostullation (गलत वर्तनी): Incorrect spelling; not recognized in English vocabulary.

Question 482

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

Choose the correct one-word substitution for: 'A person who is excessively concerned with minor details'.

  1. AOption (a)

    Critic

  2. BOption (b)

    Grammarian

  3. COption (c)

    Scholar

  4. DOption (d)

    Pedant

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

Pedant

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option(4)' i.e. 'Pedant'.

Key Points

  • The word "Pedant" refers to a person who is overly concerned with minor details, rules, or formalities, especially in teaching. (शब्दाडंबरप्रिय / सूक्ष्म बातों पर अत्यधिक ध्यान देने वाला)
  • Example: The teacher was considered a pedant because he corrected every tiny mistake in punctuation.
  • "Pedant" correctly describes someone who focuses excessively on trivial details. (छोटी-छोटी बातों में उलझने वाला)
  • Example: He sounded like a pedant when he insisted on perfect grammar in casual conversations.
  • The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting unnecessary emphasis on minor points.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

  • Critic (आलोचक): A person who evaluates and judges the merits of something.
  • Grammarian (व्याकरणविद्): A person who studies or writes about grammar.
  • Scholar (विद्वान): A learned person with deep knowledge in a subject.

Question 483

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

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: "To leave suddenly and hurriedly".

  1. AOption (a)

    Abscond

  2. BOption (b)

    Perambulate

  3. COption (c)

    Circumambulate

  4. DOption (d)

    Loiter

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Abscond

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option(1)' i.e. 'Abscond'.

Key Points

  • The word "Abscond" means to leave hurriedly and secretly, especially to avoid arrest or legal action. (फरार होना)
  • Example: The accused tried to abscond after committing the crime.
  • "Abscond" correctly describes leaving suddenly and in haste. (जल्दी से भाग जाना)
  • Example: He absconded from the office without informing anyone.
  • The term is generally used in legal or criminal contexts.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

  • Perambulate (टहलना): To walk through or around a place.
  • Circumambulate (परिक्रमा करना): To walk all the way around something, especially in a ritual manner.
  • Loiter (आवारा घूमना): To stand or wait around without purpose.

Question 484

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

Fill in the Blanks :

Had they submitted the proposal earlier, they ____ the funding.

  1. AOption (a)

    would get

  2. BOption (b)

    would have received

  3. COption (c)

    had received

  4. DOption (d)

    will have received

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

would have received

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. would have received.

Key Points

  • The given sentence is an example of the third conditional, which is used to describe unreal situations in the past.
  • “Had they submitted” is the inverted form of “If they had submitted,” showing a past perfect structure.
  • The structure of the third conditional is Had + subject + past participle, would have + past participle.
  • Therefore, the correct verb form to complete the sentence is Option 2.

Correct sentence: Had they submitted the proposal earlier, they would have received the funding.

Additional Information

  • 1st Conditional Sentence:
  • Structure: If + Present Simple, will + base verb.
  • Example: If they submit the proposal now, they will receive the funding.
  • Usage: Describes real or possible future situations.
  • 2nd Conditional Sentence:
  • Structure: If + Past Simple, would + base verb.
  • Example: If they submitted the proposal earlier, they would get the funding.
  • Usage: Refers to hypothetical present or future situations.

Question 485

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

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

The CEO along with his deputies (1)/ were present during the final negotiations (2)/ with the investors (3)/ and regulators. (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 Option 2.

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence is “The CEO”, which is singular.
  • The phrase “along with his deputies” is a parenthetical phrase and does not change the number of the subject.
  • The verb “were” is plural and does not agree with the singular subject.
  • The correct verb should be “was” to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Correct sentence: The CEO along with his deputies was present during the final negotiations with the investors and regulators.

Additional Information

  • Expressions like along with, together with, as well as do not affect subject-verb agreement.
  • The verb always agrees with the main subject, not with the accompanying phrase.
  • Example: The manager along with his team is attending the meeting.

Question 486

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

Change the following from active to passive:

The storm damaged many houses.

  1. AOption (a)

    Many houses are damaged by the storm.

  2. BOption (b)

    Many houses had been damaged by the storm.

  3. COption (c)

    Many houses were damaged by the storm.

  4. DOption (d)

    Many houses have been damaged by the storm.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Many houses were damaged by the storm.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

  • The given sentence is in the simple past tense (“damaged”).
  • In passive voice, the structure for simple past is Object + was/were + past participle + by + subject.
  • The object “many houses” becomes the subject in the passive voice.
  • Since “houses” is plural, we use “were damaged”.

Correct sentence: Many houses were damaged by the storm.

Additional Information

  • Option 1: “are damaged” – Incorrect tense (simple present).
  • Option 2: “had been damaged” – Past perfect tense, not matching the original sentence.
  • Option 4: “have been damaged” – Present perfect tense, not suitable here.

Question 487

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

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

If the allegations had been substantiated (1)/ and procedural lapses proven, the committee might have (2)/ had enough reason to initiate an internal probe (3)/ which never occurred. (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 Option 2.

Key Points

  • The error lies in Part 2 of the sentence.
  • In a passive construction involving two distinct subjects ('allegations' and 'procedural lapses'), the auxiliary verb must be repeated for the second subject to ensure grammatical completeness.
  • Furthermore, the main clause uses "might have had" (modal + have + past participle), which indicates a third conditional context (unreal past).
  • In the third conditional, the 'if' clause must use the past perfect tense (had + past participle). Therefore, Part 2 is incomplete as it lacks the auxiliary verb "had been" to accompany the subject 'procedural lapses'.

Correct sentence: If the allegations had been substantiated and procedural lapses had been proven, the committee might have had enough reason to initiate an internal probe which never occurred.

Additional Information

  • Third Conditional: If + past perfect, would/might/could have + past participle. This describes a hypothetical situation in the past and its result.
  • When subjects are different in a compound passive sentence, the auxiliary verb cannot be omitted for the second subject if the meaning or tense requires its specific inclusion for clarity.

Question 488

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

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word:

The bishop wore a mitre embroidered with gold thread.

  1. AOption (a)

    The welder fitted a steel mitre joint at a 45° angle.

  2. BOption (b)

    The cardinal's mitre was trimmed in crimson.

  3. COption (c)

    The procession displayed an ancient mitre in a glass case.

  4. DOption (d)

    The children admired the sparkling mitre on the altar.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The welder fitted a steel mitre joint at a 45° angle.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. The welder fitted a steel mitre joint at a 45° angle.

Key Points

  • The word "mitre" in the given sentence refers to a ceremonial headdress worn by bishops. (बिशप की टोपी)
  • Example: The bishop placed the mitre on his head before the religious ceremony began.
  • The homonym "mitre" also refers to a type of joint made by cutting two pieces at an angle, usually 45°, so they fit together neatly. (कोणीय जोड़)
  • Example: The carpenter carefully crafted a mitre joint to join the wooden frames perfectly.
  • Both words are spelled the same but have different meanings, which makes them homonyms.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

  • Option 2: The cardinal's mitre was trimmed in crimson. (बिशप की टोपी) – This refers to the same religious headdress, not a different meaning.
  • Option 3: The procession displayed an ancient mitre in a glass case. (बिशप की टोपी) – Again, it refers to the ceremonial headgear.
  • Option 4: The children admired the sparkling mitre on the altar. (बिशप की टोपी) – This also refers to the religious headpiece, not a different meaning.

Question 489

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 findings were interpreted to have been misrepresented by the spokesperson in the official release.

  1. AOption (a)

    It is believed that the spokesperson misrepresented the findings.

  2. BOption (b)

    The official release was said to have misrepresented the spokesperson.

  3. COption (c)

    The spokesperson is believed to have misrepresented the findings.

  4. DOption (d)

    It was believed that the spokesperson had misinterpreted the release.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

The spokesperson is believed to have misrepresented the findings.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

  • The given sentence is in passive voice, where the focus is on “the findings” rather than the doer of the action.
  • The phrase “were interpreted to have been misrepresented” indicates a reporting structure in passive form.
  • To convert into active voice, the doer (the spokesperson) must become the subject of the sentence.
  • Option (3) correctly shifts the focus to the spokesperson and maintains the intended meaning.

Correct sentence: The spokesperson is believed to have misrepresented the findings in the official release.

Additional Information

  • Option 1: Uses “It is believed,” which changes the sentence structure and does not directly convert the subject properly.
  • Option 2: Incorrect meaning; it wrongly suggests the official release misrepresented the spokesperson.
  • Option 4: Uses “misinterpreted” instead of “misrepresented” and alters the meaning of the sentence.

Question 490

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 liking this movie a lot.

  1. AOption (a)

    have liked

  2. BOption (b)

    like

  3. COption (c)

    liked

  4. DOption (d)

    am enjoy this movie

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

like

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option 2' i.e. like.

Key Points

  • The verb “like” is a stative verb, which expresses feelings or states rather than actions.
  • Stative verbs are generally not used in continuous (–ing) form.
  • The sentence is in the present tense, so the correct form should be simple present: “I like this movie.”
  • Therefore, “am liking” is grammatically incorrect in standard usage.

Correct sentence: I like this movie a lot.

Additional Information

  • Option 1: “have liked” – Present perfect tense; does not fit the context of general liking.
  • Option 3: “liked” – Simple past tense; changes the meaning and time reference.
  • Option 4: “am enjoy this movie” – Grammatically incorrect structure.