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Question 871

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.

The United Nations was formed after the Second World War.

P: It was established to prevent future global conflicts.

Q: Over the decades, it has expanded its roles.

R: Now it addresses issues like climate change and human rights.

S: Its peacekeeping missions have played a vital role in conflict zones.

  1. Despite criticisms, the UN remains a key international body.
  1. AOption (a)

    QPRS

  2. BOption (b)

    PRSQ

  3. COption (c)

    RPSQ

  4. DOption (d)

    PQSR

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

PQSR

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The passage begins with the context of the United Nations being formed after the Second World War and highlights its purpose and contributions.
  • Sentence P is the first in the logical sequence because it introduces the purpose of the UN:
  • "It was established to prevent future global conflicts."
  • Sentence Q follows as it explains the evolution of the UN’s role over the years:
  • "Over the decades, it has expanded its roles."
  • Sentence S comes next as it highlights the peacekeeping missions, which are one of the key roles of the UN:
  • "Its peacekeeping missions have played a vital role in conflict zones."
  • Sentence R is the last in the sequence as it mentions the current focus areas of the UN:
  • "Now it addresses issues like climate change and human rights."
  • The correct sequence is PQSR.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"The United Nations was formed after the Second World War. It was established to prevent future global conflicts. Over the decades, it has expanded its roles. Its peacekeeping missions have played a vital role in conflict zones. Now it addresses issues like climate change and human rights. Despite criticisms, the UN remains a key international body."

Question 872

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.

Agriculture is the backbone of our economy.

P: Farmers work hard despite unpredictable weather.

Q: They grow crops that feed the nation.

R: Yet, they face several challenges.

S: Modern technology can support better yield.

  1. Ensuring farmer welfare is national duty.
  1. AOption (a)

    PQRS

  2. BOption (b)

    PRQS

  3. COption (c)

    QPRS

  4. DOption (d)

    QRSP

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

PQRS

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1 (i.e. PQRS).

 

Key Points

  • Start with the general statement: “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy.”
  • Follow with P: Farmers work hard despite unpredictable weather — this introduces farmers’ effort (logical first detail).
  • Then Q: They grow crops that feed the nation — explains what farmers do and why their work matters.
  • Next R: Yet, they face several challenges — contrast that follows naturally after stating their contribution.
  • Finally S: Modern technology can support better yield — offers a solution/way forward before the concluding duty sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after arrangement (1 → P → Q → R → S → 6):

Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Farmers work hard despite unpredictable weather. They grow crops that feed the nation. Yet, they face several challenges. Modern technology can support better yield. Ensuring farmer welfare is national duty.

 

Additional Information

  • Option 2 (PRQS): P→R places the contrast (challenges) immediately after mentioning effort, but it skips explaining the farmers' contribution (Q) before the contrast — less smooth flow.
  • Option 3 (QPRS): Starting with Q (They grow crops…) before P (Farmers work hard…) makes the order less natural — we usually mention who does the work (P) then what they do (Q).
  • Option 4 (QRSP): Q→R puts the contribution then challenges but separates the statement about farmers working hard (P) and places the suggested solution (S) awkwardly; overall less logical.

Question 873

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Find the incorrect part of the sentence:

You should not laugh on others.

  1. AOption (a)

    Laugh on

  2. BOption (b)

    No error

  3. COption (c)

    You should not

  4. DOption (d)

    others

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Laugh on

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

  • The phrase "laugh on" is incorrect in this context.
  • The correct preposition to use with "laugh" in this sentence is "laugh at."
  • Using "on" in this context is grammatically incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning.
  • Thus, the error is located in Option 1 of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: "You should not laugh at others."

Question 874

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

The phrase 'A white elephant’ refers to:

  1. AOption (a)

    Lucky charm 

  2. BOption (b)

    Valuable item

  3. COption (c)

    Costly burden

  4. DOption (d)

    Rare animal 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Costly burden

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Costly burden.

Key Points

  • The phrase "A white elephant" refers to something that is expensive to maintain and of little practical value; it is a metaphor for a costly burden. (महंगा बोझ)
  • Example: The new stadium has become a white elephant for the city due to its high maintenance costs and lack of use.
  • White Elephant in English refers to an item that may seem valuable but becomes a burden because of its maintenance cost or impracticality. (महंगा और अनुपयोगी उपहार या वस्तु)
  • Example: The gifted luxury car turned into a white elephant for him as he couldn't afford its upkeep.
  • Hence, the correct answer is: Costly burden.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Costly burden.

Additional Information

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

  • Lucky charm (सौभाग्य का प्रतीक): An object believed to bring good luck.
  • Example: She always carries her lucky charm bracelet during exams.
  • Valuable item (मूल्यवान वस्तु): Something that has great value or importance.
  • Example: This antique vase is a valuable item passed down through generations in our family.
  • Rare animal (दुर्लभ पशु): An animal that is uncommon or endangered.
  • Example: The snow leopard is considered a rare animal due to its dwindling population.

Question 875

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

The train arrived late ______ the station.

  1. AOption (a)

    in

  2. BOption (b)

    to

  3. COption (c)

    at

  4. DOption (d)

    on

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

at

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is 'at'.

 

Key Points

  • The preposition "at" is used to indicate a specific point or location, such as a train station.
  • In this sentence, the train arrived late at the station, which is a specific location.
  • Options 1, 2, and 4 are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "The train arrived late at the station."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "in" is incorrect because "in" is used to refer to being inside something, which does not fit the context.
  • Option 2: "to" is incorrect because "to" is used to indicate movement toward a destination, not arrival.
  • Option 4: "on" is incorrect because "on" is used for surfaces and does not fit the context of arriving at a station.

Question 876

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

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

She said, "I dare not oppose him."

  1. AOption (a)

    She said she has not dared to oppose him.

  2. BOption (b)

    She said she had dared not oppose him.

  3. COption (c)

    She said she dared not oppose him.

  4. DOption (d)

    She said she dare not oppose him.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

She said she dared not oppose him.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • Indirect Speech: She said she dared not oppose him.
  • Key Conversions:
  • "I dare not oppose him" becomes "she dared not oppose him."
  • The reporting verb "said" does not change as the sentence remains declarative.
  • Pronoun "I" is replaced with "she" to match the subject in the indirect speech.
  • Verb "dare" is converted to "dared" to reflect the past tense in indirect speech.
  • The structure "not oppose him" remains unchanged.
  • Punctuation and Format:
  • Quotation marks are removed in indirect speech.
  • The sentence structure is adjusted to fit the indirect speech format.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "She said she dared not oppose him."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "She said she has not dared to oppose him."
  • The verb "has not dared" incorrectly uses present perfect tense, which does not match the original sentence's past context.
  • Option 2: "She said she had dared not oppose him."
  • The structure "had dared not" is grammatically incorrect and changes the meaning.
  • Option 4: "She said she dare not oppose him."
  • The verb "dare" is incorrectly used in present tense instead of past tense.

Question 877

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Select the correct active form of the given sentence.

"The bills are paid by him every month."

  1. AOption (a)

    He paid the bills every month.

  2. BOption (b)

    He pays the bills every month.

  3. COption (c)

    He was paying the bills every month.

  4. DOption (d)

    He is paying the bills every month.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

He pays the bills every month.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • Passive voice structure: The object of the active voice sentence becomes the subject of the passive voice sentence.
  • In the given sentence, "The bills are paid by him every month" is in the passive voice.
  • To convert to active voice: Place the subject "he" at the beginning.
  • Change the passive verb form "are paid" to the active verb form "pays" to maintain the present simple tense.
  • Ensure the time phrase "every month" remains at the end of the sentence for clarity.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "He pays the bills every month."

 

Additional Information

  • Option 1: "He paid the bills every month." – Incorrect tense (past simple instead of present simple).
  • Option 3: "He was paying the bills every month." – Incorrect tense (past continuous instead of present simple).
  • Option 4: "He is paying the bills every month." – Incorrect tense (present continuous instead of present simple).

Question 878

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Find the word with a spelling mistake.

  1. AOption (a)

    Ephemeral

  2. BOption (b)

    Preposterous

  3. COption (c)

    Alterior

  4. DOption (d)

    Paraphernalia

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Alterior

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

The misspelled word is 'Alterior'.

  • The correct spelling would be 'Ulterior'.
  • The word 'ulterior' is an adjective which means 'existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden'. (गुप्त या छुपा हुआ)
  • For Example -
  • She had ulterior motives for helping him.

Therefore, the correct answer would be 'Alterior'.

Additional Information

Let's understand the meanings of the other marked words - 

  • Ephemeral - things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time (क्षणभंगुर चीजें)
  • Preposterous - contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous (हास्यास्पद)
  • Paraphernalia - miscellaneous articles, especially the equipment needed for a particular activity (सामान)

Question 879

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Identify the part containing a grammatical or structural error:

The manager together with his staff have gone for lunch.

  1. AOption (a)

    together with his staff

  2. BOption (b)

    No error

  3. COption (c)

    The manager

  4. DOption (d)

    have gone for lunch 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

have gone for lunch 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence is "The manager," which is singular.
  • When a singular subject is followed by a phrase such as "together with," "along with," or "as well as," the verb agrees with the singular subject.
  • The verb "have" is incorrect because it implies plural agreement. It should instead be "has."
  • Thus, the error is located in part 4 of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: "The manager, together with his staff, has gone for lunch."

Question 880

SSC Stenographer 2025• English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct one-word substitution for:

"A person who studies the origin and development of human societies and cultures."

  1. AOption (a)

    Sociologist

  2. BOption (b)

    Historian

  3. COption (c)

    Archaeologist

  4. DOption (d)

    Anthropologist

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

Anthropologist

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is: Anthropologist.

Key Points

  • The word "Anthropologist" refers to a person who studies the origin, development, and cultural behaviors of human societies. (मानव विज्ञानी)
  • Example: The anthropologist traveled to remote villages to study their unique cultural practices.
  • An "Anthropologist" focuses on understanding human evolution, social norms, and cultural diversity through research and fieldwork. (मानव विज्ञान का अध्ययन करने वाला व्यक्ति)
  • Example: Margaret Mead is a famous anthropologist known for her work on cultural anthropology.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Anthropologist.

Additional Information

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

  • Sociologist (समाजशास्त्री): A person who studies the structure, development, and functioning of human society.
  • Example: The sociologist analyzed the impact of social media on modern relationships.
  • Historian (इतिहासकार): A person who studies and writes about the past, particularly human history.
  • Example: The historian wrote a detailed account of the ancient Roman Empire.
  • Archaeologist (पुरातत्ववेत्ता): A person who studies human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and analysis of artifacts.
  • Example: The archaeologist discovered an ancient burial site in the desert.