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Question 611

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.

According to the passage, what is one major obstacle to ensuring fairness and accountability in Al systems? 

  1. AOption (a)

    The high cost of building Al models. 

  2. BOption (b)

    The limited availability of data scientists. 

  3. COption (c)

    The inability to fully explain how Al systems reach conclusions. 

  4. DOption (d)

    The lack of government funding.  

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

The inability to fully explain how Al systems reach conclusions. 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The passage highlights the "black box" problem in AI systems.
  • This refers to the inability to fully explain how AI systems reach their conclusions, even by developers.
  • Such opacity makes it difficult to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency.
  • Hence, the major obstacle is clearly connected to the lack of explainability in AI systems.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "The high cost of building AI models" – Not mentioned as the central problem in the passage.
  • Option 2: "The limited availability of data scientists" – The passage does not discuss this issue.
  • Option 4: "The lack of government funding" – No reference is made to funding as the obstacle.

Question 612

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, debates around its ethical use are growing louder. Machines now make decisions that were once the (1) _______ of human judgment-from recommending medical treatments to scanning resumes. While Al offers speed and efficiency, it lacks moral (2) ________ raising concerns about bias, accountability, and transparency. Critics argue that without strict ethical frameworks, Al could reinforce social inequalities or even make harmful choices with no clear line of (3) _______  Developers face the challenge of embedding values into code-yet whose values should apply? in multicultural societies, defining what is "right" is rarely (4) __________ Some suggest collaborative oversight involving ethicists, technologists, and policymakers. Others warn that regulation must evolve faster than innovation to prevent misuse. In the race to build smarter systems, the real question remains: can we create machines that are not just intelligent, but also (5) ________?

What would come in (1)

  1. AOption (a)

    domain

  2. BOption (b)

    version

  3. COption (c)

    burden

  4. DOption (d)

    process

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

domain

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'domain'.

 

Key Points

  • The sentence states: "Machines now make decisions that were once the (1) _______ of human judgment."
  • "Domain" means an area of control or authority, which perfectly fits the idea of human judgment being replaced by AI.
  • Other options do not fit: "version" refers to a form or variant, "burden" means a load or responsibility, and "process" refers to a procedure, none of which convey the sense of ownership or authority like "domain".
  • Thus, the correct choice to fill the blank is "domain."

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Additional Information

  • Version: Means a particular form of something, which doesn’t convey the sense of authority.
  • Burden: Refers to responsibility or load, which doesn’t fit in the context of decision-making authority.
  • Process: Means a series of actions or steps, but the passage talks about an "area of judgment," making "domain" the best choice.

Question 613

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, debates around its ethical use are growing louder. Machines now make decisions that were once the (1) _______ of human judgment-from recommending medical treatments to scanning resumes. While Al offers speed and efficiency, it lacks moral (2) ________ raising concerns about bias, accountability, and transparency. Critics argue that without strict ethical frameworks, Al could reinforce social inequalities or even make harmful choices with no clear line of (3) _______  Developers face the challenge of embedding values into code-yet whose values should apply? in multicultural societies, defining what is "right" is rarely (4) __________ Some suggest collaborative oversight involving ethicists, technologists, and policymakers. Others warn that regulation must evolve faster than innovation to prevent misuse. In the race to build smarter systems, the real question remains: can we create machines that are not just intelligent, but also (5) ________?

What would come in (2)

  1. AOption (a)

    Clarity

  2. BOption (b)

    depth

  3. COption (c)

    instinct

  4. DOption (d)

    reasoning

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

instinct

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'instinct'.

 

Key Points

  • The passage highlights that although AI offers speed and efficiency, it lacks something essential that humans possess when making moral decisions.
  • Among the options, "instinct" best fits the context because moral instincts guide human behavior in ways that machines cannot replicate.
  • Other options like "clarity" or "reasoning" refer to cognitive processes, but AI already demonstrates reasoning and clarity in data-driven tasks.
  • "Depth" does not logically fit the context of morality and ethical decision-making.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3' i.e. instinct.

 

Additional Information

  • Clarity: Refers to being clear or understandable, but machines already operate with data precision, so it doesn’t fit.
  • Depth: Means intensity or complexity, which does not align with the context of moral decision-making.
  • Reasoning: Machines are capable of reasoning based on algorithms, so this option does not show the missing human quality.

Question 614

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, debates around its ethical use are growing louder. Machines now make decisions that were once the (1) _______ of human judgment-from recommending medical treatments to scanning resumes. While Al offers speed and efficiency, it lacks moral (2) ________ raising concerns about bias, accountability, and transparency. Critics argue that without strict ethical frameworks, Al could reinforce social inequalities or even make harmful choices with no clear line of (3) _______  Developers face the challenge of embedding values into code-yet whose values should apply? in multicultural societies, defining what is "right" is rarely (4) __________ Some suggest collaborative oversight involving ethicists, technologists, and policymakers. Others warn that regulation must evolve faster than innovation to prevent misuse. In the race to build smarter systems, the real question remains: can we create machines that are not just intelligent, but also (5) ________?

What would come in (3)

  1. AOption (a)

    argument 

  2. BOption (b)

    command 

  3. COption (c)

    accountability 

  4. DOption (d)

    conduct

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

accountability 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option 3' i.e. accountability.

 

Key Points

  • The passage discusses the ethical challenges of AI systems and the need for responsibility in decision-making.
  • The blank requires a noun that reflects the principle of being held responsible for one's actions.
  • "Accountability" fits perfectly as it denotes the obligation to take responsibility for actions, aligning with AI making decisions that could impact people.
  • Other options like "argument," "command," and "conduct" do not capture the concept of responsibility or ethical obligation in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Additional Information

  • Argument (विवाद/तर्क): Means a discussion or debate, which does not fit the ethical responsibility context.
  • Command (आदेश): Refers to giving orders or directives, which is unrelated to responsibility for decisions.
  • Conduct (आचरण): Refers to behavior or actions, which is related but does not directly convey being held responsible.

Question 615

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, debates around its ethical use are growing louder. Machines now make decisions that were once the (1) _______ of human judgment-from recommending medical treatments to scanning resumes. While Al offers speed and efficiency, it lacks moral (2) ________ raising concerns about bias, accountability, and transparency. Critics argue that without strict ethical frameworks, Al could reinforce social inequalities or even make harmful choices with no clear line of (3) _______  Developers face the challenge of embedding values into code-yet whose values should apply? in multicultural societies, defining what is "right" is rarely (4) __________ Some suggest collaborative oversight involving ethicists, technologists, and policymakers. Others warn that regulation must evolve faster than innovation to prevent misuse. In the race to build smarter systems, the real question remains: can we create machines that are not just intelligent, but also (5) ________?

What would come in (4)

  1. AOption (a)

    visible

  2. BOption (b)

    consistent

  3. COption (c)

    obvious

  4. DOption (d)

    universal

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

universal

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option 4' i.e. universal.

 

Key Points

  • The passage discusses the challenge of defining moral "right" in multicultural societies.
  • The missing word should indicate something that applies to all people or contexts without exception.
  • "Universal" fits best, as it means applicable everywhere or for everyone. (सर्वव्यापी)
  • Example: Human rights are considered universal, applying to every person regardless of nationality.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'universal'.

 

Additional Information

  • Visible (दृश्य): Able to be seen; not fitting in the context of abstract moral agreement.
  • Consistent (संगत): Acting or done in the same way over time; does not convey universality of moral values.
  • Obvious (स्पष्ट): Easily perceived or understood; too weak to indicate universally accepted principles.

Question 616

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, debates around its ethical use are growing louder. Machines now make decisions that were once the (1) _______ of human judgment-from recommending medical treatments to scanning resumes. While Al offers speed and efficiency, it lacks moral (2) ________ raising concerns about bias, accountability, and transparency. Critics argue that without strict ethical frameworks, Al could reinforce social inequalities or even make harmful choices with no clear line of (3) _______  Developers face the challenge of embedding values into code-yet whose values should apply? in multicultural societies, defining what is "right" is rarely (4) __________ Some suggest collaborative oversight involving ethicists, technologists, and policymakers. Others warn that regulation must evolve faster than innovation to prevent misuse. In the race to build smarter systems, the real question remains: can we create machines that are not just intelligent, but also (5) ________?

What would come in (5)

  1. AOption (a)

    controlled

  2. BOption (b)

    obedient

  3. COption (c)

    ethical

  4. DOption (d)

    productive

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

ethical

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'Option 3' i.e. ethical.

 

Key Points

  • The passage discusses AI integration into daily life and emphasizes the need for moral guidance in decision-making.
  • The blank refers to a quality that AI should possess beyond intelligence—something related to moral principles.
  • "Ethical" fits perfectly as it indicates that AI should act according to moral values and norms.
  • Other options like "controlled," "obedient," or "productive" do not capture the moral dimension required for responsible AI behavior.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'ethical'.

 

Additional Information

  • Controlled (नियंत्रित): Implies being regulated or restricted; does not convey moral responsibility.
  • Obedient (आज्ञाकारी): Refers to following instructions; lacks ethical judgment or moral reasoning.
  • Productive (उत्पादक): Means effective or yielding results; unrelated to ethics or morality.

Question 617

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in Direct to Indirect Speech.

She said, "O that I were a bird!"

  1. AOption (a)

    She said that she wished she were a bird

  2. BOption (b)

    She said that she has been a bird. 

  3. COption (c)

    She said that she wanted to be a bird. 

  4. DOption (d)

    She said that she was a bird. 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

She said that she wished she were a bird

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: She said that she wished she were a bird.
  • Key Conversions:
  • "O that I were a bird!" becomes "she wished she were a bird"
  • The exclamatory phrase "O that" is converted to "she wished" to express the desire in indirect speech.
  • Pronoun "I" is changed to "she" to match the subject in indirect speech.
  • Verb "were" remains unchanged as it expresses an unreal or hypothetical condition.
  • Reporting verb:
  • Reporting verb "said" remains the same, as it introduces the exclamation.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • Exclamatory "O that" is removed in indirect speech.
  • Sentence is formatted as a statement without exclamatory punctuation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: "She said that she wished she were a bird."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 2: "She said that she has been a bird."
  • Incorrect tense: "has been" implies a completed action, which does not align with the original sentence's hypothetical desire.
  • Option 3: "She said that she wanted to be a bird."
  • Incorrect verb: "wanted" changes the meaning to a past desire instead of a hypothetical wish.
  • Option 4: "She said that she was a bird."
  • Incorrect meaning: "was a bird" implies a statement of fact, not a wish or hypothetical condition.

Question 618

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Find the incorrect part of the sentence:

She is angry upon me.

  1. AOption (a)

    me

  2. BOption (b)

    no error

  3. COption (c)

    angry upon

  4. DOption (d)

    She is

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

angry upon

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The phrase "angry upon" is incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "angry" in this context is "with."
  • The preposition "upon" is generally used in formal contexts to indicate something happening immediately after or as a result of something else, which is not applicable here.
  • Thus, the correct phrase should be "She is angry with me."
  • This error is located in part 3 of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "She is angry with me."

Question 619

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

In the following question, the first and the last parts of the sentence/passage are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the sentence/passage is split into four parts P, Q, R, and S. These four parts are not given in their proper order. Read the sentence/passage and find the most logical order of the parts between 1 and 6.

Economic inflation affects both consumers and businesses.

P: Businesses struggle to maintain profit margins.

Q: Rising prices reduce the purchasing power of individuals.

R: Governments may intervene through monetary policy.

S: It creates uncertainty in long-term investment planning.

  1. Managing inflation is crucial for economic stability.
  1. AOption (a)

    QPRS

  2. BOption (b)

    PQRS

  3. COption (c)

    QRSP

  4. DOption (d)

    SQPR

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

QPRS

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • The paragraph begins with the idea that economic inflation affects both consumers and businesses, setting the context for its impacts.
  • Sentence Q is the first sentence after the introduction as it directly explains how inflation reduces the purchasing power of individuals:
  • "Rising prices reduce the purchasing power of individuals."
  • Sentence P follows as it discusses the challenges businesses face due to inflation, maintaining the logical progression:
  • "Businesses struggle to maintain profit margins."
  • Sentence R is next as it introduces the potential role of governments in managing inflation through monetary policy:
  • "Governments may intervene through monetary policy."
  • Sentence S is the last in the sequence before the conclusion as it discusses the uncertainty inflation creates in long-term investment planning:
  • "It creates uncertainty in long-term investment planning."
  • The correct sequence is QPRS.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Economic inflation affects both consumers and businesses. Rising prices reduce the purchasing power of individuals. Businesses struggle to maintain profit margins. Governments may intervene through monetary policy. It creates uncertainty in long-term investment planning. Managing inflation is crucial for economic stability."

Question 620

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct meaning of idiom: 'Face the music'

  1. AOption (a)

    Poor Weather

  2. BOption (b)

    Bear consequences

  3. COption (c)

    Earn Money

  4. DOption (d)

    Give money

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

Bear consequences

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Option 2 i.e., Bear consequences.

Key Points

  • The idiom "Face the music" means to accept and deal with the negative consequences of one's actions or decisions. (अपने कार्यों के परिणामों को स्वीकार करना और उनसे निपटना)
  • Example: After failing to complete the project on time, John had to face the music during the team meeting.
  • Bear consequences refers to the act of accepting responsibility for something that has gone wrong or for one's actions. (परिणाम भुगतना)
  • Example: She had to bear the consequences of her decision to skip the important meeting.
  • Hence, we can conclude that the meaning of "Face the music" aligns with "Bear consequences".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 2.

Additional Information

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

  • Poor Weather (खराब मौसम): Refers to unfavorable or bad weather conditions.
  • Example: The trip was canceled due to poor weather.
  • Earn Money (पैसे कमाना): Refers to making an income through work or business activities.
  • Example: He works hard every day to earn money for his family.
  • Give Money (पैसे देना): Refers to the act of offering or donating money to someone.
  • Example: She decided to give money to the charity for a good cause.