SSC Selection Post · Topic Collection

English Comprehension PYQs

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

2975 Total Questions119 Official PapersYears: 2019–2025Search in English Comprehension
Showing questions 501–520 of 2975Page 26 of 100
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 501

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Read the passage and answer the questions:

Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage. An efficient brain requires less room, which makes for a smaller head, which makes childbirth easier, and therefore makes survival more likely.

But conserving mental effort is only part of the story. Habits also have a powerful impact on our behaviors because once they are formed, they operate automatically. Even more importantly, habits can be changed, replaced, or ignored-but only if we understand how they work.

At the core of every habit is a neurological loop that consists of three parts: a cue, a routine, and a reward. This loop is the foundation of all habitual behaviors. The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is what helps your brain remember the loop in the future.

Understanding this loop is the first step in taking control of habits, whether you want to break a bad habit or create a new one.

Identify the correct passive voice form of the following sentence:

"Habits also have a powerful impact on our behaviors."

  1. AOption (a)

    Our behaviors are powerfully impacted by habits.

  2. BOption (b)

    A powerful impact is also had on our behaviors by habits.

  3. COption (c)

    Our behaviors have been impacted powerfully by habits.

  4. DOption (d)

    Habits impact our behaviors powerfully.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Our behaviors are powerfully impacted by habits.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 502

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Read the passage and answer the questions:

Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage. An efficient brain requires less room, which makes for a smaller head, which makes childbirth easier, and therefore makes survival more likely.

But conserving mental effort is only part of the story. Habits also have a powerful impact on our behaviors because once they are formed, they operate automatically. Even more importantly, habits can be changed, replaced, or ignored-but only if we understand how they work.

At the core of every habit is a neurological loop that consists of three parts: a cue, a routine, and a reward. This loop is the foundation of all habitual behaviors. The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is what helps your brain remember the loop in the future.

Understanding this loop is the first step in taking control of habits, whether you want to break a bad habit or create a new one.

Choose the correct indirect speech conversion of the sentence.

"Scientists say, 'Habits emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort'".

  1. AOption (a)

    Scientists say that habits emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort.

  2. BOption (b)

    Scientists said that habits emerged because the brain was constantly looking for ways to save effort.

  3. COption (c)

    Scientists say habits had emerged because the brain constantly looked for ways to save effort.

  4. DOption (d)

    Scientists have said that habits emerge as the brain constantly looks for ways to save effort.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Scientists say that habits emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 503

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Read the passage and answer the questions:

Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage. An efficient brain requires less room, which makes for a smaller head, which makes childbirth easier, and therefore makes survival more likely.

But conserving mental effort is only part of the story. Habits also have a powerful impact on our behaviors because once they are formed, they operate automatically. Even more importantly, habits can be changed, replaced, or ignored-but only if we understand how they work.

At the core of every habit is a neurological loop that consists of three parts: a cue, a routine, and a reward. This loop is the foundation of all habitual behaviors. The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is what helps your brain remember the loop in the future.

Understanding this loop is the first step in taking control of habits, whether you want to break a bad habit or create a new one.

What is the meaning of the word "emerge" in the sentence:

"Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort."

  1. AOption (a)

    To disappear gradually

  2. BOption (b)

    To come into existence or become known

  3. COption (c)

    To remain unchanged

  4. DOption (d)

    To move backward

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

To disappear gradually

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 504

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Read the passage and answer the questions:

Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage. An efficient brain requires less room, which makes for a smaller head, which makes childbirth easier, and therefore makes survival more likely.

But conserving mental effort is only part of the story. Habits also have a powerful impact on our behaviors because once they are formed, they operate automatically. Even more importantly, habits can be changed, replaced, or ignored-but only if we understand how they work.

At the core of every habit is a neurological loop that consists of three parts: a cue, a routine, and a reward. This loop is the foundation of all habitual behaviors. The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is what helps your brain remember the loop in the future.

Understanding this loop is the first step in taking control of habits, whether you want to break a bad habit or create a new one.

Choose the best synonym for the word "trigger" in the sentence:

"The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode."

  1. AOption (a)

    Barrier

  2. BOption (b)

    Initiator

  3. COption (c)

    Obstacle

  4. DOption (d)

    Conclusion

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Barrier

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 505

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Read the passage and answer the questions:

Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage. An efficient brain requires less room, which makes for a smaller head, which makes childbirth easier, and therefore makes survival more likely.

But conserving mental effort is only part of the story. Habits also have a powerful impact on our behaviors because once they are formed, they operate automatically. Even more importantly, habits can be changed, replaced, or ignored-but only if we understand how they work.

At the core of every habit is a neurological loop that consists of three parts: a cue, a routine, and a reward. This loop is the foundation of all habitual behaviors. The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is what helps your brain remember the loop in the future.

Understanding this loop is the first step in taking control of habits, whether you want to break a bad habit or create a new one.

According to the passage, why does the brain try to turn routines into habits?

  1. AOption (a)

    Because habits help conserve mental effort, making survival easier.

  2. BOption (b)

    Because habits make the brain grow larger and more powerful.

  3. COption (c)

    Because habits prevent the brain from making automatic decisions.

  4. DOption (d)

    Because habits eliminate the need for learning new things.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Because habits help conserve mental effort, making survival easier.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 506

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Which of the following is incorrectly spelled?

  1. AOption (a)

    Disambiguate

  2. BOption (b)

    Inadvertently

  3. COption (c)

    Unequavocal

  4. DOption (d)

    Equilibrium

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Disambiguate

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 507

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Improve the sentence by selecting the appropriate tense of the underlined word.

They lives in this city for ten years before they moved to the countryside.

  1. AOption (a)

    live

  2. BOption (b)

    lived

  3. COption (c)

    had lived

  4. DOption (d)

    have lived

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

live

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 508

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. ADULATION

  1. AOption (a)

    Condemnation

  2. BOption (b)

    Devotion

  3. COption (c)

    Flattery

  4. DOption (d)

    Praise

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Condemnation

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 509

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Tenacious

  1. AOption (a)

    Persistent

  2. BOption (b)

    Fragile

  3. COption (c)

    Yielding

  4. DOption (d)

    Firm

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Persistent

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 510

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Select the correctly spelt word meaning 'a person who flatters to gain advantage'.

  1. AOption (a)

    Sycophannt

  2. BOption (b)

    Psychophant

  3. COption (c)

    Sycophant

  4. DOption (d)

    Sycopent

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Sycophannt

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 511

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Identify the misspelt word:

  1. AOption (a)

    Pedagogy

  2. BOption (b)

    Psephology

  3. COption (c)

    Hagiography

  4. DOption (d)

    Psephallogy

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Pedagogy

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 512

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Which term refers to: "A narrative technique that involves a backward shift in the chronology of the story, where the plot jumps to an earlier time in the character's life."

  1. AOption (a)

    Analepsis

  2. BOption (b)

    Prolepsis

  3. COption (c)

    Flashback

  4. DOption (d)

    Foreshadowing

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Analepsis

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 513

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Which of the following terms describes: "The inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities"?

  1. AOption (a)

    Euphoria

  2. BOption (b)

    Anhedonia

  3. COption (c)

    Dysphoria

  4. DOption (d)

    Alexithymia

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Euphoria

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 514

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Choose the correct meaning of idiom: Throw down the gauntlet

  1. AOption (a)

    Admit defeat

  2. BOption (b)

    Issue a challenge

  3. COption (c)

    Surrender peacefully

  4. DOption (d)

    Apologize publicly

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Admit defeat

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 515

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

By the time the audit team (1)/ reaches the headquarters (2)/ the financial report (3)/ would already be submitted. (4)

  1. AOption (a)

    1

  2. BOption (b)

    2

  3. COption (c)

    3

  4. DOption (d)

    4

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

1

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 516

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

The manager insisted that (1)/ every member completes (2)/ the survey before (3)/ the deadline expired. (4)

  1. AOption (a)

    1

  2. BOption (b)

    2

  3. COption (c)

    3

  4. DOption (d)

    4

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

1

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 517

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:

Among the shortlisted candidates, she presented the ___ argument with impeccable logic and evidence.

  1. AOption (a)

    most compelling

  2. BOption (b)

    more compelling

  3. COption (c)

    much compelling

  4. DOption (d)

    most compelled

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

most compelling

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 518

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Change the following from active to passive:

The ethics committee will be evaluating the implications of the findings over the next quarter.

  1. AOption (a)

    The implications of the findings will be being evaluated by the ethics committee over the next quarter.

  2. BOption (b)

    The findings' implications were evaluated by the committee over the next quarter.

  3. COption (c)

    The implications will have been evaluated by the committee over the next quarter.

  4. DOption (d)

    The committee would be evaluating the implications over the next quarter.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The implications of the findings will be being evaluated by the ethics committee over the next quarter.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 519

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure:

The project is being evaluated by the panel.

  1. AOption (a)

    The panel was evaluating the project.

  2. BOption (b)

    The panel has evaluated the project.

  3. COption (c)

    The panel is evaluating the project.

  4. DOption (d)

    The panel evaluates the project.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The panel was evaluating the project.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 24 Jul, 2025 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
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Question 520

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure:

The security protocols had been overlooked by the administration prior to the incident.

  1. AOption (a)

    The administration has overlooked the security protocols prior to the incident.

  2. BOption (b)

    The administration overlooks the security protocols prior to the incident.

  3. COption (c)

    The administration was overlooking the security protocols prior to the incident.

  4. DOption (d)

    The administration had overlooked the security protocols prior to the incident.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The administration has overlooked the security protocols prior to the incident.

Explanation not yet available.

How should I prepare for English Comprehension in SSC Selection Post?

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.