SSC CPO · Topic Collection

English Comprehension PYQs

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, idiom usage, error spotting, sentence improvement, and cloze tests.

4100 Total Questions67 Official PapersYears: 2017–2025Search in English Comprehension
Showing questions 341–360 of 4100Page 18 of 100
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 341

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct option to rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

A. The old watch ticked steadily on the shelf.

B. It had survived generations of owners.

C. Each scratch and dent told a different story.

D. Time seemed frozen around it.

  1. AOption (a)

    ABCD

  2. BOption (b)

    BADC

  3. COption (c)

    ACBD

  4. DOption (d)

    CABD

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

ABCD

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 342

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct option to rearrange the following sentences:

A. The technician stared at the blinking server lights.

B. The system had crashed at the worst possible time.

C. Every second meant thousands in losses.

D. But panic wouldn't help now.

  1. AOption (a)

    BCAD

  2. BOption (b)

    ABCD

  3. COption (c)

    BACD

  4. DOption (d)

    ACBD

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

BCAD

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 343

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct option to rearrange the following sentences:

A. Every theory he proposed was dismissed as radical.

B. But centuries later, his equations solved modern problems.

C. He died penniless, never knowing his genius was real.

D. Time sometimes takes too long to apologize.

  1. AOption (a)

    ACBD

  2. BOption (b)

    CABD

  3. COption (c)

    ABCD

  4. DOption (d)

    DACB

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

ACBD

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 344

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the meaning of the idiom 'call it a day' in the sentence:

Let's call it a day and resume work tomorrow.

  1. AOption (a)

    Go for lunch

  2. BOption (b)

    Stop working for the day

  3. COption (c)

    Make a phone call

  4. DOption (d)

    Start the project

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Go for lunch

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 345

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the right meaning of the idiom 'take with a grain of salt' in the sentence:

You should take his claims with a grain of salt.

  1. AOption (a)

    Believe fully

  2. BOption (b)

    Ignore it completely

  3. COption (c)

    Accept with doubt

  4. DOption (d)

    Add salt to it

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Believe fully

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 346

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom 'play it by ear' in the sentence:

We don't have a fixed plan-let's play it by ear.

  1. AOption (a)

    Use a musical approach

  2. BOption (b)

    Act spontaneously without planning

  3. COption (c)

    Misunderstand instructions

  4. DOption (d)

    Avoid taking action

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Use a musical approach

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 347

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom 'off one's rocker' in the sentence:

Anyone who quits this job without a backup must be off their rocker.

  1. AOption (a)

    Mentally unstable or irrational

  2. BOption (b)

    Physically tired

  3. COption (c)

    Ready to retire

  4. DOption (d)

    Emotionally strong

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Mentally unstable or irrational

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 348

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct indirect speech of the sentence:

The general said, "May our nation always remain free."

  1. AOption (a)

    The general said our nation may always remain free.

  2. BOption (b)

    The general expressed the wish that their nation might always remain free.

  3. COption (c)

    The general hoped that his nation will remain free.

  4. DOption (d)

    The general wished the nation would stay free.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The general said our nation may always remain free.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 349

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct indirect speech of the sentence:

He said to his brother, "Please stop playing loud music."

  1. AOption (a)

    He requested his brother to stop playing loud music.

  2. BOption (b)

    He asked his brother please to stop loud music.

  3. COption (c)

    He said his brother to stop playing music.

  4. DOption (d)

    He told his brother that please stop the music.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

He requested his brother to stop playing loud music.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 350

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:

The doctor advised that he takes rest.

  1. AOption (a)

    that he rested

  2. BOption (b)

    for him to take rest

  3. COption (c)

    that he take rest

  4. DOption (d)

    that he should took rest

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

that he rested

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 351

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Identify the correct spelling of the misspelled word.

  1. AOption (a)

    assets

  2. BOption (b)

    assests

  3. COption (c)

    assetts

  4. DOption (d)

    asests

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

assets

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 352

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Identify the correct spelling of the misspelled word "convincable".

  1. AOption (a)

    convincing

  2. BOption (b)

    convincible

  3. COption (c)

    convinciable

  4. DOption (d)

    convinsible

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

convincing

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 353

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

He was late because he _____ heavy traffic on the way to work.

  1. AOption (a)

    ran into

  2. BOption (b)

    looked into

  3. COption (c)

    got through

  4. DOption (d)

    kept up

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

ran into

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 354

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The genesis of railway transportation marks one of humanity’s most transformative engineering feats, profoundly reshaping industrial, social, and economic landscapes. Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagonways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains, utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction and facilitate the movement of goods across short distances.

The true revolution, however, ignited in the early 19th century with the advent of steam locomotives. Pioneers like George Stephenson, whose famous "Rocket" epitomized technological prowess, demonstrated the unprecedented potential of steam power to move both people and cargo efficiently. This innovation catalyzed the Industrial Revolution, knitting distant regions into cohesive economic fabrics and accelerating urbanization at an unparalleled pace.

Throughout the 20th century, the ascendancy of diesel and electric locomotives superseded steam technology, offering greater efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits. Bullet trains, inaugurated in Japan as the Shinkansen in 1964, redefined expectations regarding speed, safety, and technological sophistication, inspiring global high-speed rail networks. In the contemporary era, magnetic levitation (maglev) trains and hyperloop prototypes promise to further erode the barriers of distance and time, potentially rendering conventional rail obsolete.

Yet, amid this rapid evolution, trains remain emblematic not merely of mechanical ingenuity but of societal progression — testaments to human ambition to connect, accelerate, and transcend physical limitations. The trajectory of railway innovation encapsulates a narrative of relentless adaptation, one wherein each epoch shift reflects broader socio-technological metamorphoses.

Identify the tense and voice used in the sentence:

"Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagon ways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains..."

  1. AOption (a)

    Past Perfect Passive

  2. BOption (b)

    Simple Past Active

  3. COption (c)

    Present Perfect Active

  4. DOption (d)

    Past Continuous Passive

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Past Perfect Passive

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 355

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The genesis of railway transportation marks one of humanity’s most transformative engineering feats, profoundly reshaping industrial, social, and economic landscapes. Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagonways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains, utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction and facilitate the movement of goods across short distances.

The true revolution, however, ignited in the early 19th century with the advent of steam locomotives. Pioneers like George Stephenson, whose famous "Rocket" epitomized technological prowess, demonstrated the unprecedented potential of steam power to move both people and cargo efficiently. This innovation catalyzed the Industrial Revolution, knitting distant regions into cohesive economic fabrics and accelerating urbanization at an unparalleled pace.

Throughout the 20th century, the ascendancy of diesel and electric locomotives superseded steam technology, offering greater efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits. Bullet trains, inaugurated in Japan as the Shinkansen in 1964, redefined expectations regarding speed, safety, and technological sophistication, inspiring global high-speed rail networks. In the contemporary era, magnetic levitation (maglev) trains and hyperloop prototypes promise to further erode the barriers of distance and time, potentially rendering conventional rail obsolete.

Yet, amid this rapid evolution, trains remain emblematic not merely of mechanical ingenuity but of societal progression — testaments to human ambition to connect, accelerate, and transcend physical limitations. The trajectory of railway innovation encapsulates a narrative of relentless adaptation, one wherein each epoch shift reflects broader socio-technological metamorphoses.

What grammatical function does the phrase "utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction" serve in the sentence?

"Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagon ways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains, utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction and facilitate the movement of goods..."

  1. AOption (a)

    Adjective clause modifying "wagon ways"

  2. BOption (b)

    Adverbial phrase explaining the manner

  3. COption (c)

    Noun clause functioning as object

  4. DOption (d)

    Gerund phrase acting as the subject

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Adjective clause modifying "wagon ways"

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 356

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The genesis of railway transportation marks one of humanity’s most transformative engineering feats, profoundly reshaping industrial, social, and economic landscapes. Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagonways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains, utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction and facilitate the movement of goods across short distances.

The true revolution, however, ignited in the early 19th century with the advent of steam locomotives. Pioneers like George Stephenson, whose famous "Rocket" epitomized technological prowess, demonstrated the unprecedented potential of steam power to move both people and cargo efficiently. This innovation catalyzed the Industrial Revolution, knitting distant regions into cohesive economic fabrics and accelerating urbanization at an unparalleled pace.

Throughout the 20th century, the ascendancy of diesel and electric locomotives superseded steam technology, offering greater efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits. Bullet trains, inaugurated in Japan as the Shinkansen in 1964, redefined expectations regarding speed, safety, and technological sophistication, inspiring global high-speed rail networks. In the contemporary era, magnetic levitation (maglev) trains and hyperloop prototypes promise to further erode the barriers of distance and time, potentially rendering conventional rail obsolete.

Yet, amid this rapid evolution, trains remain emblematic not merely of mechanical ingenuity but of societal progression — testaments to human ambition to connect, accelerate, and transcend physical limitations. The trajectory of railway innovation encapsulates a narrative of relentless adaptation, one wherein each epoch shift reflects broader socio-technological metamorphoses.

In the passage, what is the closest meaning of the word "superseded"?

  1. AOption (a)

    Upgraded

  2. BOption (b)

    Replaced

  3. COption (c)

    Abandoned

  4. DOption (d)

    Destroyed

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Upgraded

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 357

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The genesis of railway transportation marks one of humanity’s most transformative engineering feats, profoundly reshaping industrial, social, and economic landscapes. Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagonways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains, utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction and facilitate the movement of goods across short distances.

The true revolution, however, ignited in the early 19th century with the advent of steam locomotives. Pioneers like George Stephenson, whose famous "Rocket" epitomized technological prowess, demonstrated the unprecedented potential of steam power to move both people and cargo efficiently. This innovation catalyzed the Industrial Revolution, knitting distant regions into cohesive economic fabrics and accelerating urbanization at an unparalleled pace.

Throughout the 20th century, the ascendancy of diesel and electric locomotives superseded steam technology, offering greater efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits. Bullet trains, inaugurated in Japan as the Shinkansen in 1964, redefined expectations regarding speed, safety, and technological sophistication, inspiring global high-speed rail networks. In the contemporary era, magnetic levitation (maglev) trains and hyperloop prototypes promise to further erode the barriers of distance and time, potentially rendering conventional rail obsolete.

Yet, amid this rapid evolution, trains remain emblematic not merely of mechanical ingenuity but of societal progression — testaments to human ambition to connect, accelerate, and transcend physical limitations. The trajectory of railway innovation encapsulates a narrative of relentless adaptation, one wherein each epoch shift reflects broader socio-technological metamorphoses.

What is the meaning of the word "epochal" in the sentence: "...each epochal shift reflects broader socio-technological metamorphoses."?

  1. AOption (a)

    Ancient

  2. BOption (b)

    Minor

  3. COption (c)

    Highly significant or defining

  4. DOption (d)

    Predictable

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Ancient

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
View full paper

Question 358

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The genesis of railway transportation marks one of humanity’s most transformative engineering feats, profoundly reshaping industrial, social, and economic landscapes. Early prototypes, such as horse-drawn wagonways in 16th-century Europe, represented rudimentary precursors to modern trains, utilizing wooden rails to minimize friction and facilitate the movement of goods across short distances.

The true revolution, however, ignited in the early 19th century with the advent of steam locomotives. Pioneers like George Stephenson, whose famous "Rocket" epitomized technological prowess, demonstrated the unprecedented potential of steam power to move both people and cargo efficiently. This innovation catalyzed the Industrial Revolution, knitting distant regions into cohesive economic fabrics and accelerating urbanization at an unparalleled pace.

Throughout the 20th century, the ascendancy of diesel and electric locomotives superseded steam technology, offering greater efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits. Bullet trains, inaugurated in Japan as the Shinkansen in 1964, redefined expectations regarding speed, safety, and technological sophistication, inspiring global high-speed rail networks. In the contemporary era, magnetic levitation (maglev) trains and hyperloop prototypes promise to further erode the barriers of distance and time, potentially rendering conventional rail obsolete.

Yet, amid this rapid evolution, trains remain emblematic not merely of mechanical ingenuity but of societal progression — testaments to human ambition to connect, accelerate, and transcend physical limitations. The trajectory of railway innovation encapsulates a narrative of relentless adaptation, one wherein each epoch shift reflects broader socio-technological metamorphoses.

Which of the following best captures the overall tone of the passage?

  1. AOption (a)

    Nostalgic and critical

  2. BOption (b)

    Analytical and celebratory

  3. COption (c)

    Indifferent and factual

  4. DOption (d)

    Cautionary and skeptical

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Nostalgic and critical

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 359

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Choose the correct synonym for the word 'Ambiguous'

  1. AOption (a)

    Clear

  2. BOption (b)

    Specific

  3. COption (c)

    Mysterious

  4. DOption (d)

    Vague

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Clear

Explanation not yet available.
SSC CPO 2025 Official Paper (Held On 12 Dec, 2025 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)·English Comprehension
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Question 360

SSC CPO 2025• English Comprehension• English Comprehension

Select the correct passive form of the given sentence.

We threw away the rubbish

  1. AOption (a)

    The rubbish was thrown away

  2. BOption (b)

    The rubbish thrown away

  3. COption (c)

    The rubbish was being thrown away

  4. DOption (d)

    The rubbish will be thrown away

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The rubbish was thrown away

Explanation not yet available.

How should I prepare for English Comprehension in SSC CPO?

Solving previous year questions by topic helps identify recurring concepts, question patterns, and frequently asked sub-topics. Attempt each question, review the step-by-step explanation, and note down key formulas or facts for quick revision before the exam.