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 701–720 of 2975Page 36 of 100
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 701

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

"The idea that space and time form a four-dimensional continuum was first suggested by Hermann Minkowski as a natural consequence of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. In this framework, time is not an independent, absolute entity, as Newton had assumed, but rather interwoven with the three spatial dimensions into a single fabric known as space-time. Events occur at points in this space-time, and their separation is governed not by traditional Euclidean distance but by the relativistic interval, which remains invariant under changes of reference frame. This deep connection between space and time implies that the passage of time is not universal but relative: what one observer perceives as simultaneous may differ for another observer in relative motion.

This concept becomes even more profound when we introduce gravity, as formulated in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Gravity is no longer thought of as a force in the Newtonian sense but rather as the curvature of space-time caused by the presence of mass and energy. Objects moving within this curved space-time follow geodesics—the natural paths dictated by the warping of space and time itself. This leads to the astonishing prediction that time runs differently in regions of varying gravitational potential: near a massive body, such as a black hole, time slows relative to an observer in free space. This effect, known as gravitational time dilation, has been confirmed through precise experiments, such as the observation that clocks aboard satellites tick slightly faster than those on Earth's surface due to weaker gravity."

Which of the following best describes the grammatical structure of the sentence:

"This deep connection between space and time implies that the passage of time is not universal but relative:"?

  1. AOption (a)

    Compound sentence

  2. BOption (b)

    Complex sentence

  3. COption (c)

    Simple sentence

  4. DOption (d)

    Compound-complex sentence

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Compound sentence

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 702

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

"The idea that space and time form a four-dimensional continuum was first suggested by Hermann Minkowski as a natural consequence of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. In this framework, time is not an independent, absolute entity, as Newton had assumed, but rather interwoven with the three spatial dimensions into a single fabric known as space-time. Events occur at points in this space-time, and their separation is governed not by traditional Euclidean distance but by the relativistic interval, which remains invariant under changes of reference frame. This deep connection between space and time implies that the passage of time is not universal but relative: what one observer perceives as simultaneous may differ for another observer in relative motion.

This concept becomes even more profound when we introduce gravity, as formulated in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Gravity is no longer thought of as a force in the Newtonian sense but rather as the curvature of space-time caused by the presence of mass and energy. Objects moving within this curved space-time follow geodesics—the natural paths dictated by the warping of space and time itself. This leads to the astonishing prediction that time runs differently in regions of varying gravitational potential: near a massive body, such as a black hole, time slows relative to an observer in free space. This effect, known as gravitational time dilation, has been confirmed through precise experiments, such as the observation that clocks aboard satellites tick slightly faster than those on Earth's surface due to weaker gravity."

What is the closest meaning of "geodesics" in the context of the passage?

  1. AOption (a)

    Straightest possible paths in curved space-time

  2. BOption (b)

    Gravitational waves moving through space

  3. COption (c)

    Circular orbits caused by gravitational pull

  4. DOption (d)

    Fixed points of measurement in space-time

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Straightest possible paths in curved space-time

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 703

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

"The idea that space and time form a four-dimensional continuum was first suggested by Hermann Minkowski as a natural consequence of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. In this framework, time is not an independent, absolute entity, as Newton had assumed, but rather interwoven with the three spatial dimensions into a single fabric known as space-time. Events occur at points in this space-time, and their separation is governed not by traditional Euclidean distance but by the relativistic interval, which remains invariant under changes of reference frame. This deep connection between space and time implies that the passage of time is not universal but relative: what one observer perceives as simultaneous may differ for another observer in relative motion.

This concept becomes even more profound when we introduce gravity, as formulated in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Gravity is no longer thought of as a force in the Newtonian sense but rather as the curvature of space-time caused by the presence of mass and energy. Objects moving within this curved space-time follow geodesics—the natural paths dictated by the warping of space and time itself. This leads to the astonishing prediction that time runs differently in regions of varying gravitational potential: near a massive body, such as a black hole, time slows relative to an observer in free space. This effect, known as gravitational time dilation, has been confirmed through precise experiments, such as the observation that clocks aboard satellites tick slightly faster than those on Earth's surface due to weaker gravity."

In the sentence "Gravity is no longer thought of as a force in the Newtonian sense but rather as the curvature of space-time...", what does the word "curvature" most likely refer to?

  1. AOption (a)

    Folding of physical objects

  2. BOption (b)

    Bending of the path of planets only

  3. COption (c)

    Warping of the structure of space and time

  4. DOption (d)

    Deformation of gravitational fields by energy

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Folding of physical objects

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 704

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Which of the following is incorrectly spelled?

  1. AOption (a)

    Obsolesence

  2. BOption (b)

    Scrumptious

  3. COption (c)

    Vanquish

  4. DOption (d)

    Capitulation

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Obsolesence

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 705

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Fill in the blank with the correctly spelt word.

The king's ________ reign led to widespread unrest among the people.

  1. AOption (a)

    despotick

  2. BOption (b)

    desppotic

  3. COption (c)

    despotic

  4. DOption (d)

    disspotic

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

despotick

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 706

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Choose the correct active form of the given sentence.

Admission was refused to Sheetal by the school.

  1. AOption (a)

    Sheetal was refused admission by the school.

  2. BOption (b)

    The school refused admission to Sheetal.

  3. COption (c)

    Sheetal will be refused admission by the school.

  4. DOption (d)

    The school has been refusing admission to Sheetal.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Sheetal was refused admission by the school.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 707

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Fill in the blank with the appropriate adverb.

The policy was implemented ________, without prior public consultation.

  1. AOption (a)

    arbitrarily

  2. BOption (b)

    intuitively

  3. COption (c)

    pragmatically

  4. DOption (d)

    sequentially

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

arbitrarily

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 708

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Fill in the blank with the appropriate article.

The committee deliberated extensively over whether ______ increase in tuition fees was justifiable given the prevailing economic climate.

  1. AOption (a)

    a

  2. BOption (b)

    an

  3. COption (c)

    the

  4. DOption (d)

    no article

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

a

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 709

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Choose the one that correctly represents the sentence in direct speech.

Adit explained that he hadn't had the time to prepare his speech the day before.

  1. AOption (a)

    Adit said, "I haven't had the time to prepare my speech the day before."

  2. BOption (b)

    Adit said, "I didn't have the time to prepare my speech yesterday."

  3. COption (c)

    Adit said, "I didn't have the time to prepare my speech the day before."

  4. DOption (d)

    Adit said, "I hadn't had the time to prepare my speech yesterday."

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Adit said, "I haven't had the time to prepare my speech the day before."

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 710

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Which of the following is the correct indirect speech conversion of the given sentence?

Purna said, "Bravo! I have passed the entrance test."

  1. AOption (a)

    Purna happily announced that she have had passed the entrance test.

  2. BOption (b)

    Purna joyfully exclaimed that she had passed the entrance test.

  3. COption (c)

    Purna expressed with excitement that she had passed the entrance test.

  4. DOption (d)

    Purna said with joy that she had passed the entrance test.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Purna happily announced that she have had passed the entrance test.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 711

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Choose the option that best expresses the same sentence in indirect speech.

I said to him, "Does your sister know French?"

  1. AOption (a)

    I asked him whether his sister knows French.

  2. BOption (b)

    I asked him whether his sister knew French.

  3. COption (c)

    I told him whether his sister knew French.

  4. DOption (d)

    I said to him whether his sister knows French.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

I asked him whether his sister knows French.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 712

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Choose the correct active voice form from the given options.

The laptop may not be bought by her.

  1. AOption (a)

    She may not buy the laptop.

  2. BOption (b)

    She might not buy the laptop.

  3. COption (c)

    She should not have bought the laptop.

  4. DOption (d)

    She may not have bought the laptop.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

She may not buy the laptop.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 713

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in the correct order.

Ancient mythologies

P. while adapting to contemporary interpretations and themes

Q. influencing modern literature, cinema, and philosophy

R. preserving cultural traditions through oral storytelling

S. have transcended time and geographical boundaries,

  1. AOption (a)

    PRSQ

  2. BOption (b)

    QRPS

  3. COption (c)

    RPQS

  4. DOption (d)

    SQRP

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

PRSQ

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 714

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

What does the idiom "to keep the wolf away from the door" mean?

  1. AOption (a)

    To avoid financial hardship

  2. BOption (b)

    To escape from a dangerous situation

  3. COption (c)

    To protect oneself from enemies

  4. DOption (d)

    To stay away from risky opportunities

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

To avoid financial hardship

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 715

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Improve the sentence by selecting the correct form of tense from the options.

She said that she ______ the report before the deadline.

  1. AOption (a)

    will complete

  2. BOption (b)

    has completed

  3. COption (c)

    had completed

  4. DOption (d)

    completes

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

will complete

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 716

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

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

He work for an hour when I found him sleeping on the couch.

  1. AOption (a)

    had worked

  2. BOption (b)

    has worked

  3. COption (c)

    will have worked

  4. DOption (d)

    was working

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

had worked

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 717

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Read the sentence below and choose the meaning of the idiom that best fits the context:

"Mr. Smith: There's a little time before lunch. I think I'm going to lie down for a while and catch forty winks."

What does the idiom "catch forty winks" mean in this context?

  1. AOption (a)

    Eat a quick snack.

  2. BOption (b)

    Take a short nap.

  3. COption (c)

    Go for a walk.

  4. DOption (d)

    Daydream while lying down.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Eat a quick snack.

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 718

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Identify the error in the sentence.

Of the three runners, he was the faster.

  1. AOption (a)

    faster

  2. BOption (b)

    was

  3. COption (c)

    runners

  4. DOption (d)

    three

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

faster

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 719

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Choose the correct one-word substitution for the sentence below.

"In his extreme old age when he behaves like a fool, people often lose patience with him."

  1. AOption (a)

    Superannuation

  2. BOption (b)

    Dotage

  3. COption (c)

    Senescence

  4. DOption (d)

    Imbecility

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Superannuation

Explanation not yet available.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Graduate Level) Official Paper (Held On: 29 Aug, 2025 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)·English Language
View full paper

Question 720

SSC Selection Post 2025• English Language• English Language

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. INTRANSIGENT

  1. AOption (a)

    Unyielding

  2. BOption (b)

    Independent

  3. COption (c)

    Stubborn

  4. DOption (d)

    Objective

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

Unyielding

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.