SSC CGL 12 September 2025 · Shift 1 · English Comprehension — questions with answers

76

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: TREACHEROUS

A.Devoted
B.Perfidious
C.Sincere
D.Loyal

Solution

Synonym — TREACHEROUS 'Treacherous' means guilty of betrayal or deception. 'Perfidious' carries exactly this sense of deceitful disloyalty. Devoted, sincere and loyal are opposites — option (b).

77

Select the most appropriate meaning of the highlighted idiom in the given sentence. With no other suppliers available, accepting the contract became Hobson's choice for the company.

A.A situation in which there is no real choice
B.A difficult decision between two bad alternatives
C.A choice made freely without pressure
D.An unfair demand forced by someone

Solution

Idiom — Hobson's choice A 'Hobson's choice' is a take-it-or-leave-it situation — apparently free but with only one thing actually on offer. With no other suppliers, the company effectively has no real choice. Hence option (a).

78

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: LOYAL

A.Reliable
B.Faithful
C.Perfidious
D.Sincere

Solution

Antonym — LOYAL 'Loyal' means firm and faithful in allegiance. Its opposite is 'perfidious' — treacherous, deceitful. Reliable, faithful and sincere are all synonyms — option (c).

79

Choose the incorrectly spelt part. To defenestrate an opponent (1)/ was seen as the (2)/ very quintessance of (3)/ political defiance. (4)

A.1
B.2
C.3
D.4

Solution

Spelling — quintessence The misspelt word is 'quintessance' — the correct spelling is 'quintessence'. It lies in part (3) of the sentence. 'Defenestrate' and 'defiance' in the other parts are spelt correctly — option (c).

80

Choose the correctly spelt word.

A.Ventriculoperitoneal
B.Vilificasion
C.Vantilation
D.Ventrilocation

Solution

Correct spelling 'Ventriculoperitoneal' (as in a VP shunt) is spelt correctly. The others should be 'vilification', 'ventilation' and 'ventriloquism/ventriloquation' respectively. Hence option (a).

81

Choose the one-word substitute for the below sentence. The board released a formal statement expressing severe disapproval and strong criticism of the policy.

A.Accusation
B.Denunciation
C.Censure
D.Conviction

Solution

One-word substitute A formal public statement of severe disapproval is a 'denunciation'. 'Censure' is strong disapproval too, but 'denunciation' best fits a released public statement condemning something. Hence option (b).

82

Select the correct option: The ancient manuscript was so fragile that the historian handled it with ____ care.

A.utmost
B.most
C.almost
D.mostly

Solution

Fill in the blank — utmost 'Utmost care' is the fixed collocation meaning the greatest possible care. 'Most care' is unidiomatic; 'almost' and 'mostly' are adverbs that do not fit. Hence option (a).

83

Select the correct option: The abstruse philosophical treatise delved ____ the very essence of existentialism.

A.into
B.onto
C.beside
D.above

Solution

Preposition — delve into The verb 'delve' takes the preposition 'into' — to delve into a subject means to examine it deeply. The other prepositions do not collocate with delve. Hence option (a).

84

Select the correct option: Despite initial optimism, the second attempt at the experiment was ____ successful than the first.

A.little
B.less
C.least
D.much

Solution

Comparative — less The word 'than' demands a comparative degree. 'Less successful than' is the correct comparative form. 'Least' is superlative and 'little'/'much' are not comparatives here — option (b).

85

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: Neither the students nor the teacher (1)/ were ready for the sudden fire drill, (2)/ leading to a moment of confusion (3)/ before everyone evacuated. (4)

A.(1)
B.(2)
C.(3)
D.(4)

Solution

Neither…nor agreement With 'neither … nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The nearer subject is 'the teacher' (singular), so it should be 'was ready', not 'were ready'. The error is in part (2) — option (b).

86

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: The profound implications of the burgeoning quantum theories (1)/, a field still largely inscrutable to the uninitiated, remains a contentious subject (2)/ amongst the most eminent physicists (3)/ engaging in spirited academic discourse. (4)

A.(1)
B.(2)
C.(3)
D.(4)

Solution

Subject–verb agreement The subject of the sentence is 'implications' — plural. Part (2) uses the singular verb 'remains'; it should be 'remain a contentious subject'. Hence the error is in part (2) — option (b).

87

Change the following from active to passive: The renowned archaeologist is currently excavating an ancient Roman villa.

A.An ancient Roman villa has been currently excavated by the renowned archaeologist.
B.An ancient Roman villa is currently being excavated by the renowned archaeologist.
C.An ancient Roman villa was currently being excavated by the renowned archaeologist.
D.An ancient Roman villa is currently excavated by the renowned archaeologist.

Solution

Voice — present continuous The sentence is in the present continuous ('is excavating'). Its passive requires 'is being + past participle': 'is currently being excavated'. Only option (b) preserves the tense.

88

Select the option that uses the highlighted word with a different meaning from the given sentence. The priest waited for the introit to finish before speaking.

A.We stood as the organist played the opening introit.
B.The choir sang a beautiful introit to start mass.
C.She composed a solemn introit for the Sunday service.
D.Heavy iron gates guarded the introit to the private estate.

Solution

Homonym — introit In the given sentence 'introit' means the opening hymn or chant of a service. Options (a), (b) and (c) all use the same musical sense. Option (d) uses 'introit' in its rarer sense of an entrance or way in — a different meaning; hence (d).

89

Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure: It was being widely speculated by the media that the clandestine negotiations had been unduly influenced by external lobbyists.

A.External lobbyists had unduly influenced the clandestine negotiations, the media widely speculated.
B.The media was widely speculating that external lobbyists had unduly influenced the clandestine negotiations.
C.That external lobbyists had unduly influenced the clandestine negotiations was being widely speculated by the media.
D.The media widely speculated that external lobbyists had unduly influenced the clandestine negotiations.

Solution

Passive → active — past continuous The main clause 'was being speculated' is in the past continuous passive. Its active form must keep the same tense: 'the media was widely speculating that …', with the inner clause also turned active ('external lobbyists had unduly influenced …'). Only option (b) does both correctly.

90

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The burgeoning field of epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of heredity, extending beyond the simplistic Mendelian model of gene transmission. Traditionally, genetics focused on the DNA sequence itself as the sole determinant of an organism's traits. However, epigenetics reveals that environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even historical traumas can profoundly influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA code. These epigenetic modifications — such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation — act as molecular switches, turning genes on or off, or modulating their activity levels. This plasticity means that an identical twin, despite sharing an identical genome with their sibling, can develop different susceptibilities to disease or even exhibit distinct personality traits due to divergent epigenetic landscapes shaped by their individual experiences. Furthermore, some epigenetic tags can be inherited across generations, implying that the choices and environments of our ancestors might subtly predispose us to certain conditions or capabilities. This intergenerational inheritance challenges long-held notions of fixed genetic destiny, suggesting a dynamic interplay between nature and nurture where nurture can directly influence which parts of our nature are expressed. The implications are far-reaching, from developing novel therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer to reframing public health interventions that consider transgenerational environmental impacts. Understanding epigenetics compels us to view biological inheritance not as a rigid blueprint, but as a malleable score being continuously re-orchestrated by life itself.

What is the main focus of epigenetics according to the passage?

A.Altering DNA sequences directly.
B.The study of gene expression without changing DNA.
C.Mendelian patterns of inheritance.
D.Developing new genetic diseases.

Solution

RC — main focus The passage says epigenetics studies how factors influence gene expression "without altering the underlying DNA code". So its focus is gene expression, not changes to the DNA sequence itself. Hence option (b).

91

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The burgeoning field of epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of heredity, extending beyond the simplistic Mendelian model of gene transmission. Traditionally, genetics focused on the DNA sequence itself as the sole determinant of an organism's traits. However, epigenetics reveals that environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even historical traumas can profoundly influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA code. These epigenetic modifications — such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation — act as molecular switches, turning genes on or off, or modulating their activity levels. This plasticity means that an identical twin, despite sharing an identical genome with their sibling, can develop different susceptibilities to disease or even exhibit distinct personality traits due to divergent epigenetic landscapes shaped by their individual experiences. Furthermore, some epigenetic tags can be inherited across generations, implying that the choices and environments of our ancestors might subtly predispose us to certain conditions or capabilities. This intergenerational inheritance challenges long-held notions of fixed genetic destiny, suggesting a dynamic interplay between nature and nurture where nurture can directly influence which parts of our nature are expressed. The implications are far-reaching, from developing novel therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer to reframing public health interventions that consider transgenerational environmental impacts. Understanding epigenetics compels us to view biological inheritance not as a rigid blueprint, but as a malleable score being continuously re-orchestrated by life itself.

What do DNA methylation and histone acetylation do in epigenetics?

A.They change the DNA sequence.
B.They turn genes on or off.
C.They create new diseases.
D.They make genetic traits unchangeable.

Solution

RC — molecular switches The passage calls DNA methylation and histone acetylation "molecular switches". They turn genes on or off, or modulate their activity levels. Hence option (b).

92

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The burgeoning field of epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of heredity, extending beyond the simplistic Mendelian model of gene transmission. Traditionally, genetics focused on the DNA sequence itself as the sole determinant of an organism's traits. However, epigenetics reveals that environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even historical traumas can profoundly influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA code. These epigenetic modifications — such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation — act as molecular switches, turning genes on or off, or modulating their activity levels. This plasticity means that an identical twin, despite sharing an identical genome with their sibling, can develop different susceptibilities to disease or even exhibit distinct personality traits due to divergent epigenetic landscapes shaped by their individual experiences. Furthermore, some epigenetic tags can be inherited across generations, implying that the choices and environments of our ancestors might subtly predispose us to certain conditions or capabilities. This intergenerational inheritance challenges long-held notions of fixed genetic destiny, suggesting a dynamic interplay between nature and nurture where nurture can directly influence which parts of our nature are expressed. The implications are far-reaching, from developing novel therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer to reframing public health interventions that consider transgenerational environmental impacts. Understanding epigenetics compels us to view biological inheritance not as a rigid blueprint, but as a malleable score being continuously re-orchestrated by life itself.

How does epigenetics affect our idea of fixed genetic destiny?

A.It shows DNA sequences always change.
B.It shows the environment can change inherited traits.
C.It proves all twins are exactly alike.
D.It only focuses on physical looks.

Solution

RC — genetic destiny The passage says intergenerational epigenetic inheritance "challenges long-held notions of fixed genetic destiny". Environment and experience (nurture) can influence which inherited traits are expressed. Hence option (b).

93

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The burgeoning field of epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of heredity, extending beyond the simplistic Mendelian model of gene transmission. Traditionally, genetics focused on the DNA sequence itself as the sole determinant of an organism's traits. However, epigenetics reveals that environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even historical traumas can profoundly influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA code. These epigenetic modifications — such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation — act as molecular switches, turning genes on or off, or modulating their activity levels. This plasticity means that an identical twin, despite sharing an identical genome with their sibling, can develop different susceptibilities to disease or even exhibit distinct personality traits due to divergent epigenetic landscapes shaped by their individual experiences. Furthermore, some epigenetic tags can be inherited across generations, implying that the choices and environments of our ancestors might subtly predispose us to certain conditions or capabilities. This intergenerational inheritance challenges long-held notions of fixed genetic destiny, suggesting a dynamic interplay between nature and nurture where nurture can directly influence which parts of our nature are expressed. The implications are far-reaching, from developing novel therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer to reframing public health interventions that consider transgenerational environmental impacts. Understanding epigenetics compels us to view biological inheritance not as a rigid blueprint, but as a malleable score being continuously re-orchestrated by life itself.

What does 'malleable score' mean for our genetic inheritance?

A.A set plan that cannot be changed.
B.A fixed musical score.
C.A flexible genetic plan that life experiences can change.
D.Strict rules from our ancestors.

Solution

RC — 'malleable score' The passage contrasts a "rigid blueprint" with a "malleable score being continuously re-orchestrated by life itself". The metaphor means our inheritance is a flexible plan that life experiences keep reshaping. Hence option (c).

94

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The burgeoning field of epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of heredity, extending beyond the simplistic Mendelian model of gene transmission. Traditionally, genetics focused on the DNA sequence itself as the sole determinant of an organism's traits. However, epigenetics reveals that environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even historical traumas can profoundly influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA code. These epigenetic modifications — such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation — act as molecular switches, turning genes on or off, or modulating their activity levels. This plasticity means that an identical twin, despite sharing an identical genome with their sibling, can develop different susceptibilities to disease or even exhibit distinct personality traits due to divergent epigenetic landscapes shaped by their individual experiences. Furthermore, some epigenetic tags can be inherited across generations, implying that the choices and environments of our ancestors might subtly predispose us to certain conditions or capabilities. This intergenerational inheritance challenges long-held notions of fixed genetic destiny, suggesting a dynamic interplay between nature and nurture where nurture can directly influence which parts of our nature are expressed. The implications are far-reaching, from developing novel therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer to reframing public health interventions that consider transgenerational environmental impacts. Understanding epigenetics compels us to view biological inheritance not as a rigid blueprint, but as a malleable score being continuously re-orchestrated by life itself.

Which of these is NOT something we learn from epigenetics, according to the passage?

A.New ways to treat diseases.
B.New ideas for public health.
C.That genes are always stronger than environment.
D.How environment affects future generations.

Solution

RC — NOT learnt The passage mentions novel therapies, public-health reframing and transgenerational environmental effects as implications. It argues the opposite of genes always dominating — nurture can influence which parts of nature are expressed. So option (c) is NOT learnt from the passage — hence (c).

95

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined/bold segment in the given sentence. The manager insisted on meet the deadline.

A.to meet the deadline
B.on meeting the deadline
C.to have met the deadline
D.for meeting the deadline

Solution

Gerund after preposition The verb 'insist' takes the preposition 'on', and a preposition must be followed by a gerund. So the correct form is 'insisted on meeting the deadline'. Hence option (b).

96

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined/bold segment in the given sentence. The librarian instructed the patrons to return books on time and keeping noise levels down in the reading area.

A.to return books on time and to keep the noise levels down
B.returning books on time and keeping noise levels down
C.to return books on time and keep down the noise levels
D.returning books on time and to keep noise levels down

Solution

Parallel structure The two instructed actions must be in parallel form. With 'instructed … to', both verbs take the infinitive: 'to return … and to keep …'. Option (a) keeps perfect parallelism — hence (a).

97

Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence. She remarked, "I visited that museum last week."

A.She remarked that she had visited that museum the previous week.
B.She remarked that I had visited that museum last week.
C.She remarked that she visited that museum the previous week.
D.She remarked that she has visited that museum the previous week.

Solution

Direct → indirect speech After a past reporting verb, the simple past shifts to the past perfect. 'I' becomes 'she' and 'last week' becomes 'the previous week'. 'She remarked that she had visited that museum the previous week' — option (a).

98

Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence. She said to them, "Will you be attending the conference?"

A.She asked them if they would be attending the conference.
B.She asked them will they be attending the conference.
C.She asked them whether they will be attending the conference.
D.She asked them whether would they be attending the conference.

Solution

Interrogative → indirect A yes/no question is reported with 'if/whether' and statement word order. 'Will' changes to 'would' after the past reporting verb 'asked'. 'She asked them if they would be attending the conference' — option (a).

99

Rearrange the following sentences in correct order to make a logical passage: 1. Raw data from these sensors was then streamed to a central processing unit. 2. Machine learning algorithms were deployed to identify anomalies in the data patterns. 3. Environmental sensors were installed across the industrial facility. 4. Early detection of equipment malfunction became possible due to this system.

A.3-1-2-4
B.1-3-2-4
C.3-2-1-4
D.2-1-3-4

Solution

Para jumble — sensors Sentence 3 sets the scene (sensors installed), so it opens; sentence 1 ('these sensors') must follow it. Sentence 2 describes processing of that data, and sentence 4 states the outcome. Order: 3-1-2-4 — option (a).

100

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. They monitor seismic activity, atmospheric pressure, and ground deformation. 2. Predicting volcanic eruptions remains a complex scientific challenge. 3. Advanced sensor networks are crucial for collecting vital precursory data. 4. However, the exact timing and magnitude often elude precise forecasting.

A.2, 3, 1, 4
B.3, 1, 2, 4
C.2, 4, 3, 1
D.1, 3, 2, 4

Solution

Para jumble — volcanoes Sentence 2 introduces the challenge, so it opens the paragraph; sentence 3 brings in sensor networks as the response. Sentence 1 ('They monitor …') elaborates on those networks, and sentence 4 ('However …') closes with the limitation. Order: 2, 3, 1, 4 — option (a).