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Question 11

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank:

Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

What should come in the place of blank 1?

  1. AOption (a)

    to durable

  2. BOption (b)

    ephemeral

  3. COption (c)

    Permanent

  4. DOption (d)

    Perennial

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

ephemeral

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'ephemeral'.

 

Key Points

  • In quantum computing, a major challenge is the short-lived nature of qubit states, i.e., their ephemeral coherence.
  • “Ephemeral” means short-lived or lasting for a very brief time, which matches the context of qubits losing coherence quickly.
  • Other options like “permanent” or “perennial” suggest long-lasting stability, which is the opposite of the actual problem.
  • Thus, “ephemeral” correctly highlights the difficulty of maintaining qubit coherence for useful computations.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of ephemeral qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

 

Additional Information

  • To durable: Grammatically incorrect phrase and contextually irrelevant.
  • Ephemeral: Correct; means short-lived, aligning with fragile qubit coherence.
  • Permanent: Opposite of the issue, as qubit coherence is not long-lasting.
  • Perennial: Means enduring or lasting indefinitely; again, opposite of the problem described.

Question 12

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank:

Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

What should come in the place of 2?

  1. AOption (a)

    negligible

  2. BOption (b)

    prohibitive

  3. COption (c)

    cheap

  4. DOption (d)

    low

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

prohibitive

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'prohibitive'.

 

Key Points

  • Quantum computers currently suffer from very high error rates, which make large-scale computations extremely difficult.
  • The adjective “prohibitive” means so large or excessive that it prevents progress — fitting the challenge of error correction in quantum systems.
  • “Negligible” or “low” would imply the errors are insignificant, which contradicts the reality described in the passage.
  • “Cheap” is irrelevant here, as cost is not being discussed — the focus is on error rates in qubits.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and prohibitive error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

 

Additional Information

  • Negligible: Too small to matter; opposite of the actual high error rates in quantum systems.
  • Prohibitive: Correct; denotes extremely high error rates that hinder progress.
  • Cheap: Irrelevant, since the passage discusses error magnitude, not cost.
  • Low: Incorrect, as error rates are not low but instead a major barrier in quantum computing.

Question 13

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank:

Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

What should come in the place of 3?

  1. AOption (a)

    tractable

  2. BOption (b)

    elusive

  3. COption (c)

    innate

  4. DOption (d)

    redundant

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

elusive

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'elusive'.

 

Key Points

  • Maintaining qubit coherence beyond microseconds is extremely difficult due to environmental decoherence.
  • The word “elusive” means hard to achieve or difficult to grasp, which perfectly fits the context.
  • “Tractable” means manageable or easy to deal with — the opposite of what the passage conveys.
  • “Innate” means inborn or natural, which does not relate to maintaining coherence.
  • “Redundant” means unnecessary or superfluous, also irrelevant here.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains elusive due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

 

Additional Information

  • Tractable: Means easily manageable — opposite of the actual challenge described.
  • Elusive: Correct; signifies something difficult to maintain or achieve.
  • Innate: Means natural or inherent; unrelated to coherence maintenance.
  • Redundant: Means unnecessary or repetitive; does not fit the context.

Question 14

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank:

Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

What should come in the place of 4?

  1. AOption (a)

    austere

  2. BOption (b)

    sophisticated

  3. COption (c)

    rudimentary

  4. DOption (d)

    obsolete

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

sophisticated

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'sophisticated'.

 

Key Points

  • Scaling up qubits requires very advanced and precise control systems to handle delicate quantum states.
  • The word “sophisticated” means complex, advanced, and highly developed — exactly what is needed in quantum control electronics.
  • “Austere” means strict or simple, which does not describe advanced electronics.
  • “Rudimentary” means basic or primitive, opposite of the advanced systems required here.
  • “Obsolete” means outdated or no longer in use, which clearly doesn’t fit the passage about cutting-edge technology.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires sophisticated control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

 

Additional Information

  • Austere: Means plain or simple; unsuitable for describing complex electronics.
  • Sophisticated: Correct; refers to advanced, complex, and refined technology.
  • Rudimentary: Too basic, opposite of the advanced systems needed.
  • Obsolete: Outdated, irrelevant to the cutting-edge field of quantum research.

Question 15

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank:

Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring (5) ________ techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

What should come in the place of 5?

  1. AOption (a)

    fallacious

  2. BOption (b)

    quantum-error-correcting

  3. COption (c)

    presumptive

  4. DOption (d)

    monochromatic

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

quantum-error-correcting

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'quantum-error-correcting'.

 

Key Points

  • The passage discusses overcoming noise and decoherence problems in quantum computing.
  • Surface codes and topological qubits are examples of quantum error-correcting techniques, designed to stabilize fragile qubit states.
  • Thus, the correct word to fill the blank is quantum-error-correcting, as it directly matches the context.
  • Other options like “fallacious,” “presumptive,” and “monochromatic” are irrelevant to the field of quantum computing.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: Researchers in quantum computing face the twin difficulties of (1) _______ qubit coherence and (2) _____ error rates. While superconducting qubits have shown promise, maintaining coherence beyond microseconds remains (3) _______ due to environmental decoherence. Furthermore, scaling up the number of qubits requires (4) ________ control electronics that themselves introduce noise. To overcome these hurdles, teams are exploring quantum-error-correcting techniques such as surface codes and topological qubits.

 

Additional Information

  • Fallacious: Means misleading or false; irrelevant to quantum error correction.
  • Quantum-error-correcting: Correct; directly relates to surface codes and topological qubits.
  • Presumptive: Means based on assumption; does not fit here.
  • Monochromatic: Refers to a single color or wavelength; unrelated to error-correction methods.

Question 16

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct one-word substitution for:

"A person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain".

  1. AOption (a)

    ​Epicure

  2. BOption (b)

    Stoic

  3. COption (c)

    Pessimist

  4. DOption (d)

    Masochist

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Stoic

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Stoic.

Key Points

  • The word "Stoic" refers to a person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain, showing self-control and resilience in the face of adversity. (संवेदनहीन/सहिष्णु)
  • Example: Despite losing everything in the fire, he remained stoic and focused on rebuilding his life.
  • "Indifferent to pleasure or pain" means having an attitude where emotional highs and lows do not significantly affect the person. (आनंद और दर्द के प्रति उदासीन)
  • Example: She was stoic during the funeral, offering comfort to others while hiding her own grief.
  • Hence, the word that best fits the description is "Stoic."

Therefore, the correct answer is: Stoic.

Additional Information

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

  • Epicure (भोगवादी): A person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink.
  • Example: The epicure spent hours choosing the perfect wine to complement his dinner.
  • Pessimist (निराशावादी): A person who tends to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.
  • Example: The pessimist was convinced that the project would fail, despite everyone's efforts.
  • Masochist (स्वयं कष्ट उठाने वाला): A person who derives pleasure from their own pain or humiliation.
  • Example: The masochist found satisfaction in enduring challenges that others avoided.

Q1: Choose the correct one-word substitution for: "A person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain."

The correct answer is: Stoic.

Question 17

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Select the correct spelling of a word meaning 'fond of company; sociable'.

  1. AOption (a)

    Gregareous

  2. BOption (b)

    Gregerious

  3. COption (c)

    Grigarious

  4. DOption (d)

    Gregarious

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

Gregarious

Why this answer is correct

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

Key Points

  • The word "Gregarious" means fond of company; sociable. (मिलनसार)
  • Example: She is a gregarious person who loves hosting parties and meeting new people.
  • "Gregarious" refers to a person who enjoys interacting with others and thrives in social settings. (मिलनसार)
  • Example: The gregarious child made friends quickly at the playground.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 4.

Additional Information

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

  • Gregareous (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word "Gregarious."
  • Note: There is no meaning associated with this incorrect spelling.
  • Gregerious (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word "Gregarious."
  • Note: There is no meaning associated with this incorrect spelling.
  • Grigarious (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word "Gregarious."
  • Note: There is no meaning associated with this incorrect spelling.

Q: Select the correct spelling of a word meaning 'fond of company; sociable.' Correct Answer: Option 4 i.e. Gregarious

Question 18

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the antonym of 'veracity':

  1. AOption (a)

    Falsehood

  2. BOption (b)

    Accuracy

  3. COption (c)

    Truthfulness

  4. DOption (d)

    Honesty

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Falsehood

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Option 1 (Falsehood).

Key Points

  • The word "veracity" means the quality of being truthful, honest, or accurate. It refers to adherence to facts or truth. (सत्यता, सच्चाई)
  • Example: The witness’s veracity was questioned during the trial.
  • "Falsehood" is the complete opposite of veracity. It refers to the state of being untrue or a lie. (असत्य, झूठ)
  • Example: The politician was accused of spreading falsehoods during his campaign.
  • Hence, the antonym of 'veracity' is 'falsehood'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 1 (Falsehood).

Additional Information

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

  • Accuracy (सटीकता): The quality of being correct or precise.
  • Example: The accuracy of his calculations impressed everyone.
  • Truthfulness (सत्यनिष्ठा): The quality of being honest and truthful.
  • Example: Her truthfulness in every situation earned her great respect.
  • Honesty (ईमानदारी): The quality of being honest, sincere, and free of deceit.
  • Example: His honesty is the reason why he is so trusted by his colleagues.

Question: Choose the antonym of 'veracity':

Correct Answer: Option 1 (Falsehood)

Question 19

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Fill in the blank with an appropriate article.

There is __________ hour left for you to get ready.

  1. AOption (a)

    a

  2. BOption (b)

    an

  3. COption (c)

    the

  4. DOption (d)

    many

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

an

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The phrase "an hour" is correct because "hour" begins with a vowel sound, and the article "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound.
  • The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, but "hour" starts with a silent "h," making the first sound a vowel sound.
  • The other options ("a," "the," "many") do not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "There is an hour left for you to get ready."

 

Additional Information

  • A: "a" – This is incorrect because "hour" starts with a vowel sound, so "an" is required.
  • C: "the" – This is incorrect because "the" is used to refer to something specific, which is not the case here.
  • D: "many" – This is incorrect because "many" is not an article and does not fit the context.
  • No error – This would be the correct option if the sentence were already correct, but the blank requires "an" to be grammatically correct.

Question 20

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Identify the word that doesn't fit the part of speech needed.

She made a quickly decision without thinking.

  1. AOption (a)

    decision

  2. BOption (b)

    quickly

  3. COption (c)

    made

  4. DOption (d)

    thinking

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

quickly

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The word quickly is an adverb, but the sentence requires an adjective to describe the noun "decision."
  • Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, whereas adjectives modify nouns.
  • The correct word should be quick, which is an adjective that fits the context.
  • Thus, quickly doesn't fit the required part of speech in the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "She made a quick decision without thinking."

 

Additional Information

  • Decision: This is a noun and is used correctly in the sentence.
  • Made: This is a verb and correctly indicates the action performed.
  • Thinking: This is a gerund (verb functioning as a noun) and fits well in the context.
  • Quickly: This is the incorrect word choice as it is an adverb instead of the required adjective.