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Question 81

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Improve the sentence by selecting the appropriate tense of the underlined word.

At this time yesterday, we had flew over the mountains.

  1. AOption (a)

    have flown

  2. BOption (b)

    are flying

  3. COption (c)

    will be flying

  4. DOption (d)

    were flying

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

were flying

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The sentence describes an action that was in progress at a specific point in time in the past ("At this time yesterday").
  • To express an ongoing action at a specific moment in the past, the Past Continuous Tense must be used.
  • The structure of the Past Continuous tense is: Subject + was/were + verb-ing.
  • Since the subject "we" is plural, it takes the auxiliary verb "were" followed by the present participle "flying."

Therefore, the correct answer is were flying.

 

Correct Sentence: "At this time yesterday, we were flying over the mountains."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "have flown" – This is the Present Perfect tense, used for actions completed at an unspecified time or actions that have a connection to the present.
  • Option 2: "are flying" – This is the Present Continuous tense, used for actions happening right now at the moment of speaking.
  • Option 3: "will be flying" – This is the Future Continuous tense, used for actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.
  • The original phrase "had flew" is grammatically incorrect because the Past Perfect tense (had) requires the past participle "flown," not the past simple "flew." Even "had flown" would be contextually incorrect here as the sentence specifies a continuous action at a specific time.

Question 82

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Choose the correct one-word substitution for the blank in the sentence below.

When the two companies could not settle the dispute themselves, they agreed to appoint an independent ________ to resolve the matter.

  1. AOption (a)

    arbitrator

  2. BOption (b)

    translator

  3. COption (c)

    dictator

  4. DOption (d)

    orator

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

arbitrator

Why this answer is correct

Question 1: Choose the correct one-word substitution for the blank in the sentence below. When the two companies could not settle the dispute themselves, they agreed to appoint an independent ________ to resolve the matter. Options: (1) arbitrator (2) translator (3) dictator (4) orator

The correct answer is: Option (1) i.e. arbitrator.

Key Points

  • The sentence refers to a situation where two parties are in a conflict and require a neutral third party to make a decision and settle the disagreement. (विवाद को सुलझाने के लिए नियुक्त स्वतंत्र व्यक्ति)
  • Example: The two neighbors decided to let a neutral party act as a mediator to settle their property line dispute.
  • "Arbitrator" means an independent person or body officially appointed to settle a dispute. (मध्यस्थ या पंच)
  • Example: The arbitrator's decision was final and binding for both companies involved in the legal battle.
  • Hence, the word 'arbitrator' is the most appropriate one-word substitution for the given context.

Therefore, the correct answer is: arbitrator.

Additional Information

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

  • Translator (अनुवादक): A person who translates from one language into another.
  • Example: She works as a translator, converting Japanese technical manuals into English.
  • Dictator (तानाशाह): A ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained control by force.
  • Example: The country was ruled by a ruthless dictator for over thirty years.
  • Orator (वक्ता): A public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled.
  • Example: He was a brilliant orator who could motivate thousands of people with a single speech.

Question 83

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Identify the error in the sentence.

That was the worse movie I've ever seen.

  1. AOption (a)

    movie

  2. BOption (b)

    ever

  3. COption (c)

    seen

  4. DOption (d)

    worse

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

worse

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The primary error in the sentence is the use of the comparative adjective "worse" instead of the superlative adjective "worst."
  • Comparative adjectives (like worse) are used to compare two things, while superlative adjectives (like worst) are used to compare three or more things or to describe the extreme quality of something.
  • The phrase "I've ever seen" implies a comparison among all movies the speaker has watched, which requires the superlative degree.
  • Thus, the error is located in Option 4.

Therefore, the correct answer is 4.

 

Correct Sentence: "That was the worst movie I've ever seen."

 

Additional Information

  • (1) movie – This is a singular countable noun and is used correctly in this context.
  • (2) ever – This adverb is used correctly to emphasize that the statement applies to all time up to the present.
  • (3) seen – This is the past participle of the verb "see," correctly used here with "have" to form the present perfect tense.
  • (4) worse – This is the comparative form of "bad." It should be replaced by "worst" (the superlative form) because the movie is being compared to every other movie seen.

Question 84

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Choose the correct option:

Despite being new to the wine club, Rachel quickly impressed everyone with her refined taste and deep knowledge, proving herself to be a true ________ of fine wines.

  1. AOption (a)

    amateur

  2. BOption (b)

    connoisseur

  3. COption (c)

    spectator

  4. DOption (d)

    novice

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

connoisseur

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'connoisseur'.

 

Key Points

  • The word "connoisseur" refers to an expert judge in matters of taste, such as fine art, food, or wine. (विशेषज्ञ/पारखी)
  • In the context of the sentence, Rachel's "refined taste" and "deep knowledge" indicate that she is an expert in fine wines.
  • The other options: "amateur," "spectator," and "novice" do not describe someone with expert knowledge or refined taste.

​Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Complete Sentence: Despite being new to the wine club, Rachel quickly impressed everyone with her refined taste and deep knowledge, proving herself to be a true connoisseur of fine wines.

Additional Information

  • Amateur (शौकिया): A person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.
  • Spectator (दर्शक): A person who watches at a show, game, or other event.
  • Novice (नौसिखिया): A person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation.

Question 85

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Read the sentence below and choose the meaning of the idiom that best fits the context:

"Mr. Smith: There's a little time before lunch. I think I'm going to lie down for a while and catch forty winks."

What does the idiom "catch forty winks" mean in this context?

  1. AOption (a)

    Go for a walk.

  2. BOption (b)

    Take a short nap.

  3. COption (c)

    Eat a quick snack.

  4. DOption (d)

    Daydream while lying down.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Take a short nap.

Why this answer is correct

Question 1: Read the sentence below and choose the meaning of the idiom that best fits the context: "Mr. Smith: There's a little time before lunch. I think I'm going to lie down for a while and catch forty winks." What does the idiom "catch forty winks" mean in this context?

The correct answer is: Option (2) i.e. Take a short nap.

Key Points

  • The idiom "catch forty winks" means to sleep for a short period of time, especially during the day. (झपकी लेना)
  • Example: After a long morning of work, he decided to catch forty winks before the afternoon meeting.
  • "Take a short nap" refers to having a brief sleep, usually during the daytime, to feel refreshed. (थोड़ी देर के लिए सोना/झपकी लेना)
  • Example: I was so tired after the journey that I had to take a short nap.
  • Therefore, the correct answer is- Take a short nap.

Additional Information

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

  • Go for a walk (सैर पर जाना): To walk for pleasure or exercise.
  • Example: It is a pleasant evening, so let's go for a walk in the park.
  • Eat a quick snack (जल्दी से कुछ खाना): To consume a small amount of food in a short duration.
  • Example: I will eat a quick snack before I head out for my classes.
  • Daydream while lying down (लेटे हुए दिन में सपने देखना): To indulge in pleasant thoughts or fantasies while resting.
  • Example: She spent the entire afternoon daydreaming while lying down on the grass.

Question 86

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Complete the sentence in indirect speech.

"Why don't we check with Mrinmay?" she said.

She suggested ________ with Mrinmay.

  1. AOption (a)

    to check

  2. BOption (b)

    to checking

  3. COption (c)

    check

  4. DOption (d)

    checking

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

checking

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • Direct Speech: "Why don't we check with Mrinmay?" she said.
  • Indirect Speech: She suggested checking with Mrinmay.
  • Key Conversions:
  • Reporting Suggestions: When a sentence starts with "Why don't we..." or "Let's...", it expresses a suggestion. The reporting verb "suggested" is commonly used to convert such sentences into indirect speech.
  • Verb Pattern: The verb "suggest" follows specific grammatical patterns:
  • Suggest + Gerund (v-ing): This is used when the speaker is included in the action. Example: She suggested checking...
  • Suggest + that + subject + (should) + base verb: Example: She suggested that we (should) check...
  • The Gerund Form: In the given sentence, the blank follows "suggested" directly. Therefore, the gerund form "checking" is the grammatically correct choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: "She suggested checking with Mrinmay."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "to check" is incorrect because the verb "suggest" is never followed by a to-infinitive (unlike "want" or "hope").
  • Option 2: "to checking" is grammatically incorrect as it combines a preposition with a gerund in a way that does not fit the verb "suggest".
  • Option 3: "check" is incorrect because a base verb cannot follow "suggested" directly without a subject and the word "that" (e.g., "suggested that we check").

Question 87

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Choose the accurate direct speech version of the following sentence.

The detective inquired when I had departed from the office that afternoon.

  1. AOption (a)

    The detective asked, "When did you leave the office this afternoon?"

  2. BOption (b)

    The detective said, "When did you depart from the office that afternoon?"

  3. COption (c)

    The detective inquired, "When do you leave the office this afternoon?"

  4. DOption (d)

    The detective asked, "When had you departed from the office that afternoon?"

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

The detective said, "When did you depart from the office that afternoon?"

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: The detective inquired when I had departed from the office that afternoon.
  • Key Conversions:
  • "when I had departed" becomes "When did you depart"
  • The past perfect tense ("had departed") in indirect speech is converted to the simple past tense ("did depart") in direct speech.
  • The pronoun "I" is changed to "you" to match the direct address of the question.
  • "that afternoon" remains "that afternoon"
  • In this specific context, the time reference is maintained to ensure the accuracy of the original statement's timing.
  • Reporting verb:
  • The formal reporting verb "inquired" is replaced with "said" followed by the direct question.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • The direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
  • The sentence inside the quotes starts with a capital letter ("When") and ends with a question mark ("?").

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: The detective said, "When did you depart from the office that afternoon?"

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "The detective asked, 'When did you leave the office this afternoon?'"
  • Changes the principal verb from "depart" to "leave," making it a less accurate transcription of the original sentence.
  • Option 3: "The detective inquired, 'When do you leave the office this afternoon?'"
  • Uses the present tense ("do you leave"), which contradicts the past perfect ("had departed") used in the indirect speech.
  • Option 4: "The detective asked, 'When had you departed from the office that afternoon?'"
  • Incorrectly uses the past perfect tense in a direct question format where simple past is required for standard conversion.

Question 88

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Choose the correct idiom for the word highlighted in bold.

"The builder hired several carpenters and electricians to work on the building, but he left them in the lurch when it came time to pay them."

  1. AOption (a)

    Abandoned them in a difficult situation without help

  2. BOption (b)

    Praised them for their excellent craftsmanship

  3. COption (c)

    Provided them with new jobs after the work was done

  4. DOption (d)

    Gave them extra money for their hard work

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Abandoned them in a difficult situation without help

Why this answer is correct

Question 1: Choose the correct idiom for the word highlighted in bold. "The builder hired several carpenters and electricians to work on the building, but he left them in the lurch when it came time to pay them."

The correct answer is: Option (1) i.e. Abandoned them in a difficult situation without help.

Key Points

  • The idiom "left them in the lurch" means to desert or leave someone in a difficult or embarrassing situation without help or support. (किसी को मुसीबत में अकेला छोड़ देना)
  • Example: When the business started failing, his partner quit and left him in the lurch.
  • "Abandoned them in a difficult situation without help" refers to the act of leaving someone behind or deserting them specifically when they are facing a crisis or need assistance. (किसी को कठिन परिस्थिति में बिना सहायता के छोड़ देना)
  • Example: The guide abandoned the hikers in a difficult situation without help during the sudden snowstorm.
  • Hence, we can infer that the meaning of the idiom 'left them in the lurch' is 'abandoned them in a difficult situation without help'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Abandoned them in a difficult situation without help.

Additional Information

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

  • Praised them for their excellent craftsmanship (उनके उत्कृष्ट शिल्प कौशल के लिए उनकी प्रशंसा की): To express warm approval or admiration for the quality of work done by hand.
  • Example: The architect praised the workers for their excellent craftsmanship on the cathedral's ceiling.
  • Provided them with new jobs after the work was done (काम पूरा होने के बाद उन्हें नई नौकरियाँ प्रदान कीं): To give or supply new employment opportunities once a project is finished.
  • Example: The contractor was so impressed that he provided them with new jobs after the work was done on the first site.
  • Gave them extra money for their hard work (उनकी कड़ी मेहनत के लिए उन्हें अतिरिक्त पैसे दिए): To provide a bonus or additional financial compensation for diligent effort.
  • Example: The client was so happy with the result that she gave them extra money for their hard work.

Question 89

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Fill in the blank with the correctly spelt word.

We should schedule an appointment with our ________ to get a checkup for our baby.

  1. AOption (a)

    pidiatician

  2. BOption (b)

    pediatricean

  3. COption (c)

    pediatrician

  4. DOption (d)

    pediotrician

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

pediatrician

Why this answer is correct

Question 1: Fill in the blank with the correctly spelt word. We should schedule an appointment with our ________ to get a checkup for our baby.

The correct answer is: Option (3) i.e. pediatrician.

Key Points

  • The sentence requires a word that refers to a medical practitioner specializing in children and their diseases. (बच्चों का डॉक्टर)
  • Example: Finding a reliable doctor for your newborn is a top priority for new parents.
  • "Pediatrician" is the correctly spelt word which means a medical practitioner specializing in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. (बच्चों का चिकित्सक)
  • Example: The pediatrician checked the baby's height and weight during the routine visit.
  • Therefore, the correct answer is- pediatrician.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained:

  • Pidiatician (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word 'pediatrician'.
  • Pediatricean (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word 'pediatrician'.
  • Pediotrician (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word 'pediatrician'.

Question 90

SSC JHT 2025• General English

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in the correct order.

As cricket was confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,

P. with some experts questioning whether the T20 format truly represents the sport’s rich strategic depth

Q. despite the International Olympic Committee’s assurance that it would enhance the sport’s global reach,

R. cricketing nations celebrated the decision, anticipating its global expansion,

S. while logistical concerns about scheduling, infrastructure, and balancing international cricket tours arose,

  1. AOption (a)

    PSQR

  2. BOption (b)

    RSQP

  3. COption (c)

    SPQR

  4. DOption (d)

    SQPR

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

RSQP

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is RSQP

Key Points

  • The sentence begins with an introductory subordinate clause that sets the context: the confirmation of cricket for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
  • Part R is the most logical continuation as it provides the main subject (cricketing nations) and their primary reaction (celebrated the decision), forming the core of the sentence.
  • Part S introduces a counter-narrative using the conjunction while, highlighting that logistical concerns regarding scheduling and infrastructure emerged alongside the celebrations.
  • Part Q follows by explaining that these concerns persisted despite the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) official assurance that the inclusion would boost the sport's global reach.
  • Part P concludes the sequence by adding a specific qualitative concern (with some experts questioning) about whether the T20 format effectively showcases the strategic depth of the sport.
  • The resulting sequence RSQP creates a coherent narrative flow from the initial positive reaction to the subsequent logistical and technical debates.

Additional Information

  • Cricket was last included in the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris, where only two teams (Great Britain and France) participated.
  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially approved cricket along with Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Lacrosse, and Squash for the LA28 program during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai in October 2023.
  • The T20 format was specifically chosen for the Olympics due to its compact duration, which fits the multi-sport event schedule better than longer formats like One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Test matches.
  • The inclusion is expected to significantly increase the broadcast valuation of the Olympic Games in the South Asian market.