Search Previous Year Questions

Find real questions from previous competitive exam papers with answers and solutions.

Leave the keyword blank to browse saved questions for your selected exam, newest papers first. Add a keyword, year or topic to narrow the results.

Browse complete papers
Showing 10 question(s)
Clear

Question 601

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct sequence to form a meaningful sentence:

(A) the winner

(B) declared

(C) was

(D) yesterday

  1. AOption (a)

    CABD

  2. BOption (b)

    ACBD

  3. COption (c)

    BCAD

  4. DOption (d)

    CBAD

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

ACBD

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option (2) i.e. ACBD

Key Points

  • The sentence begins with the subject, "the winner," which is correctly indicated by part (A).
  • Following the subject, "was declared" (CB) continues the logical sequence, making it clear what happened to the winner.
  • The final part, "yesterday" (ACBD) completes the sentence by providing the time reference.

Therefore, the correct answer is ACBD

 

Additional Information

  • Option 2 (CABD): This option starts with "was the winner declared yesterday," which makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.
  • Option 3 (BCAD): This option starts with "declared was the winner yesterday," which disrupts the logical flow of the sentence.
  • Option 4 (CBAD): This option starts with "was declared the winner yesterday," which is not a coherent sequence for this context.

Question 602

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:

Progress in digital technology has (1) _______ transformed contemporary life. From artificial intelligence to smartphones, technologies are (2) ________transforming industries and societies. But with speed comes (3) _________ as numerous workers are left uncertain about their future jobs. To adapt to this disruption, people need to be (4) _________ constantly renewing their (5) _________ to stay competitive.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.

  1. AOption (a)

    marginally

  2. BOption (b)

    sporadically

  3. COption (c)

    occasionally

  4. DOption (d)

    drastically

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

drastically

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'drastically'.

 

Key Points

  • The passage highlights the significant influence of digital technology on modern life.
  • The blank requires an adverb that emphasizes the extent of transformation caused by technology.
  • "Drastically" means in a radical or extreme manner, which fits the context of how digital technology has reshaped life.
  • Other options like "marginally", "sporadically", and "occasionally" suggest limited or irregular impact, which does not match the overall meaning of the passage.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Additional Information

  • Marginally: Means slightly; too weak to fit the impact described.
  • Sporadically: Means occurring at irregular intervals; does not indicate large-scale impact.
  • Occasionally: Means sometimes; unsuitable for describing a major transformation.

Question 603

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:

Progress in digital technology has (1) _______ transformed contemporary life. From artificial intelligence to smartphones, technologies are (2) ________transforming industries and societies. But with speed comes (3) _________ as numerous workers are left uncertain about their future jobs. To adapt to this disruption, people need to be (4) _________ constantly renewing their (5) _________ to stay competitive.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.  

  1. AOption (a)

    hesitantly 

  2. BOption (b)

    rarely  

  3. COption (c)

    accidentally

  4. DOption (d)

    invariably

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

invariably

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option 4 – invariably'.

 

Key Points

  • The passage highlights how technologies are constantly and unavoidably reshaping industries and societies.
  • The word "invariably" means "always, without exception," which fits the context perfectly.
  • Other options like hesitantly, rarely, accidentally do not fit logically, as they contradict the rapid and continuous transformation described.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4 – invariably'.

 

Additional Information

  • Hesitantly: Means with reluctance, which does not fit the context of rapid digital progress.
  • Rarely: Means not often, contradicting the idea of constant transformation.
  • Accidentally: Means by chance, which does not align with deliberate technological change.

Question 604

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:

Progress in digital technology has (1) _______ transformed contemporary life. From artificial intelligence to smartphones, technologies are (2) ________transforming industries and societies. But with speed comes (3) _________ as numerous workers are left uncertain about their future jobs. To adapt to this disruption, people need to be (4) _________ constantly renewing their (5) _________ to stay competitive.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3. 

  1. AOption (a)

    celebration 

  2. BOption (b)

    incentive

  3. COption (c)

    harmony 

  4. DOption (d)

    disruption

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

disruption

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'disruption'.

 

Key Points

  • The passage talks about how digital technologies bring rapid changes but also create challenges for workers.
  • The appropriate noun should reflect a negative consequence or challenge caused by technological speed.
  • "Disruption" fits perfectly because it means disturbance or interruption, which matches the idea of workers being uncertain about future jobs.
  • Other options like "celebration", "incentive", and "harmony" do not convey the sense of difficulty or uncertainty in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Additional Information

  • Celebration: Means joy or festivity, which does not fit the context of challenges in technology.
  • Incentive: Refers to a motivating factor, not a challenge or problem.
  • Harmony: Means balance or peace, opposite of the intended meaning here.

Question 605

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:

Progress in digital technology has (1) _______ transformed contemporary life. From artificial intelligence to smartphones, technologies are (2) ________transforming industries and societies. But with speed comes (3) _________ as numerous workers are left uncertain about their future jobs. To adapt to this disruption, people need to be (4) _________ constantly renewing their (5) _________ to stay competitive.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4. 

  1. AOption (a)

    Proactive

  2. BOption (b)

    stubborn 

  3. COption (c)

    reactive 

  4. DOption (d)

    adaptable

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

adaptable

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The sentence says people must adapt to disruption in the labour market caused by rapid technological change.
  • Blank (4) needs a word that describes someone who can adjust to new conditions and therefore keep updating skills.
  • Adaptable means able to adjust easily to new conditions. (अनुकूलनीय)
  • Example: To survive in a fast-changing job market, workers must be adaptable and learn new skills.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4 — adaptable.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: Proactive (सक्रिय/पूर्व-सक्रिय) – Means taking initiative to act in advance. Useful trait, but the sentence stresses ability to adjust continually, so "adaptable" is a closer fit.

Example: A proactive employee anticipates problems and acts before they arise.

  • Option 2: Stubborn (ज़िद्दी) – Means refusing to change; opposite of what is needed here.

Example: Being stubborn about old methods can harm one’s career in a changing industry.

  • Option 3: Reactive (प्रतिक्रियाशील) – Means responding after events occur; less desirable than being adaptable (which implies flexible adjustment).

Example: A reactive strategy waits for change instead of adjusting proactively.

Question 606

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:

Progress in digital technology has (1) _______ transformed contemporary life. From artificial intelligence to smartphones, technologies are (2) ________transforming industries and societies. But with speed comes (3) _________ as numerous workers are left uncertain about their future jobs. To adapt to this disruption, people need to be (4) _________ constantly renewing their (5) _________ to stay competitive.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5. 

  1. AOption (a)

    strategies

  2. BOption (b)

    diversions 

  3. COption (c)

    obstacles 

  4. DOption (d)

    competencies

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

competencies

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'competencies'.

 

Key Points

  • The passage talks about adapting to disruption in the digital era by renewing skills.
  • The word that fits best in this context is "competencies", which refers to skills and abilities required to stay competitive.
  • Other options do not fit: strategies (plans, not personal abilities), diversions (distractions), and obstacles (hindrances).

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Additional Information

  • Strategies: Refers to plans or approaches, but the passage emphasizes personal renewal of skills, not planning.
  • Diversions: Means distractions, which is contextually irrelevant.
  • Obstacles: Refers to hindrances or barriers, which does not align with the need for skill development.

Question 607

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions: 

As artificial intelligence (Al) technologies continue to proliferate across every sector of human activity, the ethical implications of their deployment have become a matter of urgent concern. Once relegated to the realm of speculative fiction, Al now permeates decision-making in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, and criminal justice. While proponents argue that Al can increase efficiency, reduce human bias, and democratize access to services, critics warn of the potential for algorithmic discrimination, erosion of privacy, and the deepening of existing social inequalities.  

At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental tension between technolagical progress and moral responsibility. Machines, no matter how sophisticated, lack consciousness and intrinsic values; they merely execute instructions based on data inputs and programmed algorithms. Thus, when an Al system makes a life-altering decision—such as denying a loan application or predicting a defendant's likelihood of reoffending—it is not the machine itself that is accountable, but the human architects behind its creation and training. 

Moreover, the opacity of many Al systems, often referred to as the "black box" problem, poses a significant ethical challenge. When even developers cannot fully explain how a machine arrived at a given outcome, the prospect of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability becomes deeply problematic. Addressing these concerns will require not only technical innovations, such as explainable Al, but also rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, ethicists, policymakers, and the public.

Which of the following correctly identifies the tense used predominantly in the first paragraph? 

  1. AOption (a)

    Past perfect 

  2. BOption (b)

    Present continuous 

  3. COption (c)

    Present perfect continuous 

  4. DOption (d)

    Present simple 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

Present simple 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The first paragraph mainly uses the Present Simple tense (e.g., "AI technologies continue," "AI now permeates," "critics warn").
  • The Present Simple is used to express general truths, facts, and ongoing realities.
  • This is appropriate in the context since the passage is describing the current state and ongoing debate about AI.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: Past Perfect – Used to describe an action completed before another action in the past (e.g., "He had left before she arrived"). Not suitable here.
  • Option 2: Present Continuous – Used for actions happening right now (e.g., "She is reading"). The passage doesn’t mainly use this tense.
  • Option 3: Present Perfect Continuous – Used to describe actions that began in the past and are still continuing (e.g., "They have been working since morning"). Not found in the paragraph.

Question 608

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions: 

As artificial intelligence (Al) technologies continue to proliferate across every sector of human activity, the ethical implications of their deployment have become a matter of urgent concern. Once relegated to the realm of speculative fiction, Al now permeates decision-making in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, and criminal justice. While proponents argue that Al can increase efficiency, reduce human bias, and democratize access to services, critics warn of the potential for algorithmic discrimination, erosion of privacy, and the deepening of existing social inequalities.  

At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental tension between technolagical progress and moral responsibility. Machines, no matter how sophisticated, lack consciousness and intrinsic values; they merely execute instructions based on data inputs and programmed algorithms. Thus, when an Al system makes a life-altering decision—such as denying a loan application or predicting a defendant's likelihood of reoffending—it is not the machine itself that is accountable, but the human architects behind its creation and training. 

Moreover, the opacity of many Al systems, often referred to as the "black box" problem, poses a significant ethical challenge. When even developers cannot fully explain how a machine arrived at a given outcome, the prospect of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability becomes deeply problematic. Addressing these concerns will require not only technical innovations, such as explainable Al, but also rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, ethicists, policymakers, and the public.

Identify the correct type of sentence used in the line:

"at the heart of the debate lies a fundamental tension between technological progress and moral responsibility."

  1. AOption (a)

    Compound  

  2. BOption (b)

    Complex

  3. COption (c)

    Simple

  4. DOption (d)

    Compound-Complex 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Simple

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • A simple sentence contains a single independent clause (one subject + one predicate) and may include phrases but no subordinate clauses. (सरल वाक्य)
  • The sentence "At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental tension between technological progress and moral responsibility." has one main clause: subject phrase ("a fundamental tension") and predicate ("lies").
  • The phrase "At the heart of the debate" is an introductory prepositional phrase and "between technological progress and moral responsibility" is a prepositional phrase adding detail — neither forms an additional clause.
  • Because there is only one independent clause and no subordinate or coordinate clauses, the sentence is best classified as simple.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: Compound – Requires two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction; not present here.
  • Option 2: Complex – Requires at least one subordinate clause; the sentence has none.
  • Option 4: Compound-Complex – Requires multiple independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause; not applicable.

Question 609

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions: 

As artificial intelligence (Al) technologies continue to proliferate across every sector of human activity, the ethical implications of their deployment have become a matter of urgent concern. Once relegated to the realm of speculative fiction, Al now permeates decision-making in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, and criminal justice. While proponents argue that Al can increase efficiency, reduce human bias, and democratize access to services, critics warn of the potential for algorithmic discrimination, erosion of privacy, and the deepening of existing social inequalities.  

At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental tension between technolagical progress and moral responsibility. Machines, no matter how sophisticated, lack consciousness and intrinsic values; they merely execute instructions based on data inputs and programmed algorithms. Thus, when an Al system makes a life-altering decision—such as denying a loan application or predicting a defendant's likelihood of reoffending—it is not the machine itself that is accountable, but the human architects behind its creation and training. 

Moreover, the opacity of many Al systems, often referred to as the "black box" problem, poses a significant ethical challenge. When even developers cannot fully explain how a machine arrived at a given outcome, the prospect of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability becomes deeply problematic. Addressing these concerns will require not only technical innovations, such as explainable Al, but also rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, ethicists, policymakers, and the public.

What does the word "proliferate" most nearly mean as used in the passage? 

  1. AOption (a)

    Decline slowly 

  2. BOption (b)

    Spread rapidly

  3. COption (c)

    Change unpredictably  

  4. DOption (d)

    Improve steadily 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Spread rapidly

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The word "proliferate" means to increase or spread rapidly.
  • In the passage, it is used to describe how AI technologies are quickly spreading across multiple sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
  • Thus, the most appropriate meaning in this context is "spread rapidly."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "Decline slowly" – Incorrect, as "proliferate" indicates growth, not decline.
  • Option 3: "Change unpredictably" – Incorrect, it refers to randomness, not spreading.
  • Option 4: "Improve steadily" – Incorrect, it suggests gradual improvement, not rapid increase.

Question 610

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions: 

As artificial intelligence (Al) technologies continue to proliferate across every sector of human activity, the ethical implications of their deployment have become a matter of urgent concern. Once relegated to the realm of speculative fiction, Al now permeates decision-making in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, and criminal justice. While proponents argue that Al can increase efficiency, reduce human bias, and democratize access to services, critics warn of the potential for algorithmic discrimination, erosion of privacy, and the deepening of existing social inequalities.  

At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental tension between technolagical progress and moral responsibility. Machines, no matter how sophisticated, lack consciousness and intrinsic values; they merely execute instructions based on data inputs and programmed algorithms. Thus, when an Al system makes a life-altering decision—such as denying a loan application or predicting a defendant's likelihood of reoffending—it is not the machine itself that is accountable, but the human architects behind its creation and training. 

Moreover, the opacity of many Al systems, often referred to as the "black box" problem, poses a significant ethical challenge. When even developers cannot fully explain how a machine arrived at a given outcome, the prospect of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability becomes deeply problematic. Addressing these concerns will require not only technical innovations, such as explainable Al, but also rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, ethicists, policymakers, and the public.

In the context of the passage, the phrase "algorithmic discrimination" most likely refers to:

  1. AOption (a)

    Computers correcting human mistakes. 

  2. BOption (b)

    AI systems treating individuals unfairly based on biased programming

  3. COption (c)

    Al systems achieving perfect objectivity. 

  4. DOption (d)

    The classification of data without errors.  

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

AI systems treating individuals unfairly based on biased programming

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The passage warns that AI can reproduce or amplify human biases when trained on biased data or programmed without safeguards. (एल्गोरिदमिक पक्षपात)
  • “Algorithmic discrimination” therefore refers to AI systems treating people unfairly—for example, denying loans or misclassifying applicants—because of biased inputs, models, or design choices.
  • The passage links this risk to the “black box” problem and emphasizes human responsibility for design and oversight, stressing the need for explainability and interdisciplinary ethics.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: Computers correcting human mistakes — Incorrect. This is the opposite of discrimination and not what the phrase implies in the passage.
  • Option 3: AI systems achieving perfect objectivity — Incorrect. The passage specifically questions claims of objectivity and warns that AI may deepen biases.
  • Option 4: The classification of data without errors — Incorrect. The phrase concerns unfair treatment of people, not flawless data classification.
Page 61