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Question 41

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the antonym of 'Peevish'. 

  1. AOption (a)

    Suave

  2. BOption (b)

    Flat

  3. COption (c)

    Tedious

  4. DOption (d)

    Dull

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Suave

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Suave.

Key Points

  • The word "Peevish" means easily irritated or annoyed, often due to trivial matters. (चिड़चिड़ा)
  • Example: Her peevish behavior made it difficult for others to work with her.
  • "Suave" refers to someone who is charming, confident, and elegant, typically in a sophisticated manner. (मधुर, सौम्य)
  • Example: He impressed everyone with his suave manners and eloquent speech.
  • Since "peevish" means irritable and "suave" means calm and charming, they are antonyms.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Suave.

Additional Information

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

  • Flat (सपाट): Something that is level, smooth, or without variation.
  • Example: The soda tasted flat because it had lost its fizz.
  • Tedious (उबाऊ): Something that is too long, slow, or monotonous, making it boring.
  • Example: Filling out these forms is such a tedious task.
  • Dull (मंद): Lacking excitement or interest; boring.
  • Example: The lecture was so dull that many students started to doze off.

Question 42

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the sentence that uses a homonym of the underlined word:

He left the watch on the nightstand before sleeping.

  1. AOption (a)

    The guard was assigned to night watch duty.

  2. BOption (b)

    The watch was ticking softly beside the lamp.

  3. COption (c)

    He set his digital watch to the right time.

  4. DOption (d)

    She bought a new gold watch for her husband. 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The guard was assigned to night watch duty.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • The underlined word in the sentence is "watch," which is a homonym because it has multiple meanings.
  • In the given context, "watch" refers to a timepiece kept on the nightstand.
  • Option 1 – "The guard was assigned to night watch duty" uses the word "watch" in a different sense, meaning a period of observing or guarding.
  • Other options (2, 3, and 4) refer to the same meaning of "watch" as a timepiece, so they do not qualify as using a homonym.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Explanation: The word "watch" in Option 1 refers to a period of surveillance or guarding, which is distinct from the meaning of "watch" as a timepiece.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 2: Refers to the same meaning of "watch" as a timepiece.
  • Option 3: Refers to a digital timepiece, which is not a homonym in this context.
  • Option 4: Refers to a new gold timepiece, again, not a homonym.
  • Homonym: A word that is spelled and pronounced the same as another word but has a different meaning.

Question 43

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the antonym of 'Slander'

  1. AOption (a)

    Mock 

  2. BOption (b)

    Praise 

  3. COption (c)

    Blame 

  4. DOption (d)

    Abuse 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Praise 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Praise.

Key Points

  • The word "Slander" means a false spoken statement that damages someone's reputation; it is a form of defamation. (निंदा)
  • Example: The politician accused his opponent of slander during the debate.
  • "Praise" refers to the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something. It is the opposite of slander as it involves positive acknowledgment rather than defamation. (प्रशंसा)
  • Example: The teacher praised the student for her excellent performance in the competition.
  • Hence, we can infer that the antonym of 'Slander' is 'Praise'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Praise.

Additional Information

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

  • Mock (मज़ाक उड़ाना): To make fun of someone or something, often in a cruel or sarcastic way.
  • Example: The children mocked their friend for his unusual hairstyle.
  • Blame (दोष देना): To assign responsibility for a fault or wrong.
  • Example: She blamed her brother for breaking the vase.
  • Abuse (गाली देना/दुरुपयोग करना): To treat someone or something with cruelty or violence, or to use something improperly.
  • Example: The manager was fired for abusing his authority.

Question 1: Choose the antonym of 'Slander'.

The correct answer is: Praise.

Question 44

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct meaning of Idiom "Cut the Gordian knot". 

  1. AOption (a)

    Create unnecessary complications

  2. BOption (b)

    Disagree with authority

  3. COption (c)

    Tie unrelated issues together

  4. DOption (d)

    Solve a problem boldly

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

Solve a problem boldly

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Option 4 i.e. Solve a problem boldly.

Key Points

  • The idiom "Cut the Gordian knot" means to solve a complex or seemingly unsolvable problem in a decisive and bold manner. (एक जटिल समस्या को साहसिक और निर्णायक तरीके से हल करना)
  • Example: The CEO cut the Gordian knot by completely restructuring the company to resolve its financial crisis.
  • Here, the idiom signifies taking a direct and effective approach to resolve an issue rather than overcomplicating it. (यह सीधे और प्रभावी ढंग से समस्या को हल करने का संकेत देता है।)

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 4.

Additional Information

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

  • Option 1: Create unnecessary complications (अनावश्यक जटिलताओं को उत्पन्न करना): This refers to making a situation more difficult than it needs to be.
  • Example: Instead of simplifying the process, he created unnecessary complications by adding extra steps.
  • Option 2: Disagree with authority (प्राधिकरण से असहमति): This means to oppose or challenge someone in a position of power.
  • Example: The student was expelled for openly disagreeing with authority during the meeting.
  • Option 3: Tie unrelated issues together (असंबंधित मुद्दों को एक साथ जोड़ना): This refers to connecting different problems or matters that are not linked logically.
  • Example: The politician tried to tie unrelated issues together to confuse the audience.

Question: Choose the correct meaning of Idiom "Cut the Gordian knot".

The correct answer is: Option 4.

Question 45

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and 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.

The officer said, "Had I known about the problem earlier, I would have helped."

  1. AOption (a)

    The officer said he had helped if he had known it.

  2. BOption (b)

    The officer told if he knew about the problem, he would help.

  3. COption (c)

    The officer said that he know if he had helped.

  4. DOption (d)

    The officer said that if he had known about the problem earlier, he would have helped.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

The officer said that if he had known about the problem earlier, he would have helped.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Key Points

  • Direct speech (प्रत्यक्ष वाक्य) quotes the exact words of the speaker within quotation marks.
  • Example: She said, "I will come tomorrow."
  • Indirect speech (अप्रत्यक्ष वाक्य) reports what someone said without quoting their exact words, often changing pronouns and tenses.
  • Example: She said that she would come the next day.
  • The correct indirect speech for the given sentence is: Option 4: The officer said that if he had known about the problem earlier, he would have helped. (अधिकारी ने कहा कि अगर उसे पहले समस्या के बारे में पता होता, तो वह मदद करता।)
  • Example: He said, "Had I seen you, I would have spoken." → He said that if he had seen me, he would have spoken.
  • This option correctly maintains the conditional structure, tense, and meaning as required in indirect speech.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "The officer said he had helped if he had known it." — Incorrect structure and does not reflect the proper conditional meaning.
  • Option 2: "The officer told if he knew about the problem, he would help." — Incorrect reporting verb ("told"), incorrect tense, and does not match the original sentence's meaning.
  • Option 3: "The officer said that he know if he had helped." — Grammatically incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning.

Question 46

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

The boy was indifferent __________ his studies.

  1. AOption (a)

    on

  2. BOption (b)

    to

  3. COption (c)

    at

  4. DOption (d)

    in

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

to

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The word "indifferent" is typically followed by the preposition "to."
  • It indicates a lack of interest or concern towards something.
  • Other options such as "on," "at," and "in" do not fit the context of the sentence.
  • Thus, "to" is the most appropriate choice to complete the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "The boy was indifferent to his studies."

 

Additional Information

  • Indifferent means showing no interest, enthusiasm, or concern towards something.
  • The correct preposition that pairs with "indifferent" is "to," making the phrase "indifferent to" grammatically and contextually correct.
  • Other prepositions such as "on," "at," and "in" would alter the meaning or make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Question 47

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Rearrange the following parts (P, Q, R, S) to form the most meaningful and grammatically correct sentence:

P. though he lacked international experience

Q. was selected for the Olympic squad

R. the young shooter

S. due to his exceptional performance at the national trials

  1. AOption (a)

    PSRQ

  2. BOption (b)

    RQPS

  3. COption (c)

    RQSP

  4. DOption (d)

    PRQS

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

RQSP

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The sentence needs to be rearranged to form a meaningful and grammatically correct structure.
  • The part "R. the young shooter" serves as the subject of the sentence, so it should come first.
  • The part "Q. was selected for the Olympic squad" logically follows as the verb and object, forming the action.
  • The part "S. due to his exceptional performance at the national trials" explains the reason for the selection, so it comes next.
  • Finally, the part "P. though he lacked international experience" provides a contrasting detail, which fits at the end.

Therefore, the correct sequence is R-Q-S-P, and the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "The young shooter was selected for the Olympic squad due to his exceptional performance at the national trials, though he lacked international experience."

 

Additional Information

  • P: "though he lacked international experience" – This part provides a contrasting detail and fits best at the end of the sentence.
  • Q: "was selected for the Olympic squad" – This part forms the main action and logically follows the subject.
  • R: "the young shooter" – This part is the subject and should start the sentence.
  • S: "due to his exceptional performance at the national trials" – This part explains the reason and fits after the action.

Question 48

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Select the correct passive form of the given sentence.

"He will submit the report by Friday."

  1. AOption (a)

    The report is submitted by him by Friday.

  2. BOption (b)

    The report will have been submitted by him.

  3. COption (c)

    The report submitted by him by Friday.

  4. DOption (d)

    The report will be submitted by him by Friday.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

The report will be submitted by him by Friday.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The active sentence provided is: "He will submit the report by Friday."
  • To convert the sentence into passive voice, the object "the report" becomes the subject of the sentence.
  • The correct passive form uses the structure: "will be + past participle" (submit → submitted).
  • Thus, the passive form is: "The report will be submitted by him by Friday."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Passive Sentence: "The report will be submitted by him by Friday."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "The report is submitted by him by Friday." – Incorrect because "is submitted" implies present tense, not future tense.
  • Option 2: "The report will have been submitted by him." – Incorrect because "will have been submitted" is future perfect tense and does not match the structure of the given sentence.
  • Option 3: "The report submitted by him by Friday." – Incorrect because it lacks the auxiliary verb "will be," making the sentence incomplete.
  • Option 4: "The report will be submitted by him by Friday." – Correct as it follows the correct passive voice structure.
  • Option 5: – No relevant information provided for evaluation.

Question 49

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

The teacher who had conducted the workshop earlier, (1)/ along with his assistants, (2) / have submitted the final report to the board (3) / before the deadline last week. (4)

  1. AOption (a)

    before the deadline last week (4)

  2. BOption (b)

    have submitted the final report to the board (3)

  3. COption (c)

    The teacher who had conducted the workshop earlier (1)

  4. DOption (d)

    along with his assistants (2)

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

have submitted the final report to the board (3)

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence is "The teacher," which is singular.
  • The verb "have" is incorrect as it is used for plural subjects. The correct verb should be "has" to match the singular subject.
  • Thus, the error lies in Option 2, where "have" should be replaced with "has".

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "The teacher who had conducted the workshop earlier, along with his assistants, has submitted the final report to the board before the deadline last week."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "The teacher who had conducted the workshop earlier," – This part is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • Option 3: "have submitted the final report to the board" – This part contains the error because of subject-verb disagreement. The verb should be "has."
  • Option 4: "before the deadline last week" – This part is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.

Question 50

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in the correct order.

The update

P. ensuring security

Q. enhanced encryption

R. and data autonomy

S. across user devices

  1. AOption (a)

    SRPQ

  2. BOption (b)

    QRPS

  3. COption (c)

    PSRQ

  4. DOption (d)

    SPQR

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

QRPS

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The given sentence needs to be rearranged to form a coherent and logical statement.
  • The correct sequence is QRPS, which forms the sentence: "The update enhanced encryption, ensuring security and data autonomy across user devices."
  • Option 2 (QRPS) maintains the logical flow of the sentence: starting with the update's key feature (enhanced encryption), followed by its purpose (ensuring security), and then elaborating on the additional benefits (data autonomy across user devices).

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Rearranged Sentence: "The update enhanced encryption, ensuring security and data autonomy across user devices."

 

Additional Information

  • P: "ensuring security" – This part of the sentence indicates the purpose of the update.
  • Q: "enhanced encryption" – This part highlights the primary feature of the update, and thus it should come first after the subject "The update."
  • R: "and data autonomy" – This part adds more details about the benefits of the update.
  • S: "across user devices" – This part specifies where the benefits apply, making it the logical conclusion of the sentence.