SSC CGL 13 September 2025 · Shift 1 · English Comprehension — questions with answers

76

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: Sarcastic

A.Sweet
B.Gentle
C.Mild
D.Caustic

Solution

Synonym — SARCASTIC 'Sarcastic' means using sharp, cutting remarks meant to mock or wound. 'Caustic' carries the same biting, scathing sense. Sweet, gentle and mild are opposites — option (d).

77

Choose the idiom that means: To be very clear and direct about something.

A.Make no bones about it
B.Make a killing
C.Make ends meet
D.Make a beeline

Solution

Idiom — make no bones 'To make no bones about it' means to say something plainly, without hesitation. 'Make a killing' = earn big money; 'make ends meet' = manage expenses; 'make a beeline' = go straight towards. Hence option (a).

78

Select the most appropriate antonym of the word given in brackets to complete the sentence. Unlike passing trends, the monument represents values that are truly ____ (evanescent).

A.Momentary
B.Temporary
C.Enduring
D.Brief

Solution

Antonym in blank — evanescent 'Evanescent' means vanishing quickly, fleeting. Its antonym is 'enduring' — lasting — which is also what the contrast with 'passing trends' demands. Momentary, temporary and brief are synonyms of evanescent — option (c).

79

Identify the misspelt part. His inadvertant (1)/ elbow bump (2)/ knocked the vase (3)/ off the table. (4)

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

Solution

Misspelt part The correct spelling is 'inadvertent' — ending in -ent, not -ant. Part (1) has the misspelt 'inadvertant'. The remaining parts are correctly spelt — option (a).

80

Select the correct spelling of the highlighted word. The rock displayed a perphiroblastic texture.

A.Perphyroblastic
B.Porphyroblastik
C.Porphyroblastic
D.Prophiroblastik

Solution

Correct spelling The geological term comes from "porphyry" (large crystals in fine rock). The correct spelling is 'porphyroblastic' — porphyro + blastic. Hence option (c).

81

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: A government by the wealthy.

A.Hierarchy
B.Plutocracy
C.Oligarchy
D.Meritocracy

Solution

One-word — plutocracy 'Plutocracy' (Greek 'ploutos' = wealth) means government by the rich. 'Oligarchy' is rule by a few (not necessarily wealthy) and 'meritocracy' is rule by the able. Hence option (b).

82

Select the correct option: Hardly ever ____ the opportunity to witness such a rare celestial event.

A.we have
B.do we have
C.we had
D.did have we

Solution

Inversion — hardly ever When a sentence begins with a negative adverbial like 'Hardly ever', the subject and auxiliary invert. The correct form is 'do we have'. Hence option (b).

83

Select the correct option: The teacher's comment was so heavy with technical terminology that it verged on ____

A.opacity
B.optical
C.opulent
D.opal

Solution

Vocabulary — opacity 'Verged on' needs a noun; the sentence describes language too dense to understand. 'Opacity' — the quality of being unclear or hard to understand — fits perfectly. 'Optical' and 'opulent' are adjectives and 'opal' is a gemstone — option (a).

84

Select the correct option: Her explanation, although detailed, did not clearly ____ the main concern highlighted by the committee.

A.address
B.distress
C.circulate
D.elude

Solution

Vocabulary — address The blank needs a verb meaning to deal with or respond to an issue. 'Address the main concern' is the natural collocation. Distress, circulate and elude do not fit the sense — option (a).

85

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: The venerable institution aims to both preserve ancient texts (1)/ and promoting critical scholarship (2)/ among its burgeoning community (3)/ of young researchers. (4)

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

Solution

Error — parallelism 'Both … and' must join parallel forms: 'to preserve' pairs with 'promote'. Part (2) uses 'promoting', breaking the parallelism — it should be 'and promote'. Hence the error is in part (2) — option (b).

86

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: The profound impact of digital technology on societal norms (1)/, a phenomenon universally acknowledged by sociologists, (2)/ are increasingly becoming a topic (3)/ of interdisciplinary academic debate. (4)

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

Solution

Error — subject–verb The subject is 'impact' — singular ('of digital technology' is only a modifier). Part (3) uses the plural 'are'; it should be 'is increasingly becoming'. Hence the error is in part (3) — option (c).

87

Change the following from active to passive: The committee will publish the annual report next quarter.

A.The annual report would be published by the committee next quarter.
B.The annual report will be published by the committee next quarter.
C.The annual report has been published by the committee next quarter.
D.The annual report is being published by the committee next quarter.

Solution

Voice — future simple The active sentence is in the future simple ('will publish'). Its passive needs 'will be + past participle'. 'The annual report will be published by the committee next quarter.' — option (b).

88

Select the option containing the homonym of the highlighted word: Each fanon is crafted from fine, high-quality white linen.

A.The Pope wore a silk fanon during the solemn mass.
B.Gold and silver stripes decorated the traditional papal fanon.
C.The priest carefully adjusted the fanon over his shoulders.
D.Fanon changed how people think about colonial history.

Solution

Homonym — fanon In the given sentence and in options (a), (b) and (c), 'fanon' is the papal shoulder vestment. Option (d) refers to Frantz Fanon, the thinker on colonialism — an entirely different sense of the word. Hence option (d).

89

Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure: It has been widely presumed by analysts that the market will stabilize next quarter.

A.Analysts have widely presumed that the market will stabilize next quarter.
B.Analysts had widely presumed that the market will stabilize next quarter.
C.That the market will stabilize next quarter has been widely presumed by analysts.
D.Analysts are widely presuming that the market will stabilize next quarter.

Solution

Passive → active — present perfect The passive is in the present perfect ('has been presumed'). Its active form keeps the tense: 'Analysts have widely presumed …'. Options (b) and (d) change the tense and (c) remains passive — hence option (a).

90

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The air in the kitchen was thick with unspoken words, heavier than the simmering stew on the hob. Fifteen-year-old Liam stared at his phone, thumb scrolling endlessly, while his mother, Sarah, meticulously arranged vegetables on a chopping board, each slice a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact. It had been like this for weeks, ever since the text message, the one that splintered their comfortable silence. "Why can't you just talk to me?" Sarah's voice was low, strained, finally breaking the quiet. Liam flinched, his jaw tightening. "There's nothing to talk about." A familiar, brick-wall response. He knew what she wanted — an explanation for his sudden withdrawal, the late nights, the abrupt change in his friend group. But how could he explain the pressure, the constant barrage of judgment from online 'friends' he barely knew, the relentless need to project an image of effortless cool? He remembered the first time he'd felt the sting of exclusion — a meme, shared widely in his class group chat, subtly mocking his older brother's passion for chess. He'd laughed along, a hollow, uncomfortable sound, desperate to fit in. Then came the 'dares,' escalating from minor pranks to something that made his stomach clench with fear. He'd tried to pull away, to mute the notifications, but the fear of being truly alone, ostracized from the only social circle he currently had, was suffocating. His old friends, the ones he'd shared genuine laughter with, felt distant, almost alien now. Sarah sighed, a sound of profound weariness. "Liam, I see you. I see you pulling away, shutting down. Whatever it is, we can face it together." He heard the tremor in her voice, the genuine concern, but a powerful knot of shame and fear kept his lips sealed. He glanced up, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting second — a cavern of unspoken anxiety reflected in his gaze before he retreated back behind the glow of his screen, the silent battle raging on.

What is the main reason for the tension between Liam and his mother, Sarah?

A.Liam's poor academic performance.
B.A recent argument about chores.
C.Liam's unexplained withdrawal and behavioral changes.
D.Sarah's disapproval of Liam's old friends.

Solution

RC — source of tension Sarah wants an explanation for Liam’s sudden withdrawal, late nights and changed friend group. His refusal to talk about these changes has filled the house with unspoken words. Hence option (c).

91

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The air in the kitchen was thick with unspoken words, heavier than the simmering stew on the hob. Fifteen-year-old Liam stared at his phone, thumb scrolling endlessly, while his mother, Sarah, meticulously arranged vegetables on a chopping board, each slice a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact. It had been like this for weeks, ever since the text message, the one that splintered their comfortable silence. "Why can't you just talk to me?" Sarah's voice was low, strained, finally breaking the quiet. Liam flinched, his jaw tightening. "There's nothing to talk about." A familiar, brick-wall response. He knew what she wanted — an explanation for his sudden withdrawal, the late nights, the abrupt change in his friend group. But how could he explain the pressure, the constant barrage of judgment from online 'friends' he barely knew, the relentless need to project an image of effortless cool? He remembered the first time he'd felt the sting of exclusion — a meme, shared widely in his class group chat, subtly mocking his older brother's passion for chess. He'd laughed along, a hollow, uncomfortable sound, desperate to fit in. Then came the 'dares,' escalating from minor pranks to something that made his stomach clench with fear. He'd tried to pull away, to mute the notifications, but the fear of being truly alone, ostracized from the only social circle he currently had, was suffocating. His old friends, the ones he'd shared genuine laughter with, felt distant, almost alien now. Sarah sighed, a sound of profound weariness. "Liam, I see you. I see you pulling away, shutting down. Whatever it is, we can face it together." He heard the tremor in her voice, the genuine concern, but a powerful knot of shame and fear kept his lips sealed. He glanced up, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting second — a cavern of unspoken anxiety reflected in his gaze before he retreated back behind the glow of his screen, the silent battle raging on.

What caused Liam to initially participate in activities he was uncomfortable with?

A.A genuine interest in pranks and dares.
B.Pressure from his mother.
C.The fear of exclusion and desire to fit in.
D.His older brother's influence.

Solution

RC — why he joined in Liam laughed along with the meme "desperate to fit in". The fear of being ostracized from his only social circle felt suffocating to him. Hence option (c).

92

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The air in the kitchen was thick with unspoken words, heavier than the simmering stew on the hob. Fifteen-year-old Liam stared at his phone, thumb scrolling endlessly, while his mother, Sarah, meticulously arranged vegetables on a chopping board, each slice a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact. It had been like this for weeks, ever since the text message, the one that splintered their comfortable silence. "Why can't you just talk to me?" Sarah's voice was low, strained, finally breaking the quiet. Liam flinched, his jaw tightening. "There's nothing to talk about." A familiar, brick-wall response. He knew what she wanted — an explanation for his sudden withdrawal, the late nights, the abrupt change in his friend group. But how could he explain the pressure, the constant barrage of judgment from online 'friends' he barely knew, the relentless need to project an image of effortless cool? He remembered the first time he'd felt the sting of exclusion — a meme, shared widely in his class group chat, subtly mocking his older brother's passion for chess. He'd laughed along, a hollow, uncomfortable sound, desperate to fit in. Then came the 'dares,' escalating from minor pranks to something that made his stomach clench with fear. He'd tried to pull away, to mute the notifications, but the fear of being truly alone, ostracized from the only social circle he currently had, was suffocating. His old friends, the ones he'd shared genuine laughter with, felt distant, almost alien now. Sarah sighed, a sound of profound weariness. "Liam, I see you. I see you pulling away, shutting down. Whatever it is, we can face it together." He heard the tremor in her voice, the genuine concern, but a powerful knot of shame and fear kept his lips sealed. He glanced up, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting second — a cavern of unspoken anxiety reflected in his gaze before he retreated back behind the glow of his screen, the silent battle raging on.

How does Liam's interaction with his old friends compare to his current social circle?

A.His old friends are closer to him now.
B.His current social circle offers more genuine laughter.
C.His old friends feel distant, almost alien now.
D.He has completely cut off communication with his old friends.

Solution

RC — old vs new friends The passage says his old friends — with whom he shared genuine laughter — now feel distant, almost alien. His current circle, by contrast, is a source of pressure, not genuine connection. Hence option (c).

93

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The air in the kitchen was thick with unspoken words, heavier than the simmering stew on the hob. Fifteen-year-old Liam stared at his phone, thumb scrolling endlessly, while his mother, Sarah, meticulously arranged vegetables on a chopping board, each slice a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact. It had been like this for weeks, ever since the text message, the one that splintered their comfortable silence. "Why can't you just talk to me?" Sarah's voice was low, strained, finally breaking the quiet. Liam flinched, his jaw tightening. "There's nothing to talk about." A familiar, brick-wall response. He knew what she wanted — an explanation for his sudden withdrawal, the late nights, the abrupt change in his friend group. But how could he explain the pressure, the constant barrage of judgment from online 'friends' he barely knew, the relentless need to project an image of effortless cool? He remembered the first time he'd felt the sting of exclusion — a meme, shared widely in his class group chat, subtly mocking his older brother's passion for chess. He'd laughed along, a hollow, uncomfortable sound, desperate to fit in. Then came the 'dares,' escalating from minor pranks to something that made his stomach clench with fear. He'd tried to pull away, to mute the notifications, but the fear of being truly alone, ostracized from the only social circle he currently had, was suffocating. His old friends, the ones he'd shared genuine laughter with, felt distant, almost alien now. Sarah sighed, a sound of profound weariness. "Liam, I see you. I see you pulling away, shutting down. Whatever it is, we can face it together." He heard the tremor in her voice, the genuine concern, but a powerful knot of shame and fear kept his lips sealed. He glanced up, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting second — a cavern of unspoken anxiety reflected in his gaze before he retreated back behind the glow of his screen, the silent battle raging on.

What emotional barrier prevents Liam from opening up to his mother?

A.Anger and resentment.
B.A powerful knot of shame and fear.
C.A desire for independence.
D.Lack of trust in his mother.

Solution

RC — emotional barrier Liam hears the genuine concern in his mother’s voice. Yet "a powerful knot of shame and fear kept his lips sealed". Hence option (b).

94

Directions (Qs. 90-94): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The air in the kitchen was thick with unspoken words, heavier than the simmering stew on the hob. Fifteen-year-old Liam stared at his phone, thumb scrolling endlessly, while his mother, Sarah, meticulously arranged vegetables on a chopping board, each slice a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact. It had been like this for weeks, ever since the text message, the one that splintered their comfortable silence. "Why can't you just talk to me?" Sarah's voice was low, strained, finally breaking the quiet. Liam flinched, his jaw tightening. "There's nothing to talk about." A familiar, brick-wall response. He knew what she wanted — an explanation for his sudden withdrawal, the late nights, the abrupt change in his friend group. But how could he explain the pressure, the constant barrage of judgment from online 'friends' he barely knew, the relentless need to project an image of effortless cool? He remembered the first time he'd felt the sting of exclusion — a meme, shared widely in his class group chat, subtly mocking his older brother's passion for chess. He'd laughed along, a hollow, uncomfortable sound, desperate to fit in. Then came the 'dares,' escalating from minor pranks to something that made his stomach clench with fear. He'd tried to pull away, to mute the notifications, but the fear of being truly alone, ostracized from the only social circle he currently had, was suffocating. His old friends, the ones he'd shared genuine laughter with, felt distant, almost alien now. Sarah sighed, a sound of profound weariness. "Liam, I see you. I see you pulling away, shutting down. Whatever it is, we can face it together." He heard the tremor in her voice, the genuine concern, but a powerful knot of shame and fear kept his lips sealed. He glanced up, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting second — a cavern of unspoken anxiety reflected in his gaze before he retreated back behind the glow of his screen, the silent battle raging on.

What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?

A.To criticize parental overreach in adolescent lives.
B.To highlight the dangers of excessive screen time.
C.To explore the internal and external pressures teenagers face in social dynamics.
D.To advocate for stricter rules regarding online communication.

Solution

RC — author’s purpose The passage portrays peer pressure, online judgment, fear of exclusion and the shame that silences a teenager. Its focus is the inner and outer pressures shaping adolescent social life, not rules or screen time as such. Hence option (c).

95

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: The teacher insisted that every student answers the question carefully.

A.answered the question carefully
B.answer the question carefully
C.has answered the question carefully
D.should answers the question carefully

Solution

Insist + subjunctive After 'insisted that', the subjunctive base verb is used. 'Every student answer the question carefully' is the correct form. Hence option (b).

96

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: She is accustomed to working long hours during peak season.

A.to work
B.for working
C.with working
D.to working

Solution

Accustomed to + -ing 'Accustomed to' is followed by a noun or an -ing form — 'to' here is a preposition. 'Accustomed to working' is therefore correct as given. Hence option (d).

97

A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech. Sarah said, "Tom plays football well."

A.Sarah said that Tom had played football well.
B.Sarah said that Tom plays football well.
C.Sarah said that Tom is playing football well.
D.Sarah said that Tom played football well.

Solution

Reported speech — habit With the past reporting verb 'said', the present simple normally moves back to the past simple. 'Plays' becomes 'played'. 'Sarah said that Tom played football well.' — option (d).

98

A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. The witness stated that he had seen the suspect near the crime scene the previous evening.

A."He saw the suspect near the crime scene the previous evening," the witness stated.
B."I have seen the suspect near the crime scene last evening," the witness stated.
C."I saw the suspect near the crime scene last evening," the witness stated.
D."I am seeing the suspect near the crime scene now," the witness stated.

Solution

Indirect → direct — statement 'Had seen' moves back to the simple past 'saw', 'he' becomes 'I', and 'the previous evening' becomes 'last evening'. The direct form is: "I saw the suspect near the crime scene last evening." Hence option (c).

99

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. Cyberpunk, for instance, envisions dystopian futures dominated by advanced technology and corporate control. 2. Within science fiction, various subgenres have emerged, each exploring distinct themes and aesthetics. 3. This thematic diversity allows the genre to appeal to a broad range of readers and intellectual interests. 4. Meanwhile, space opera focuses on grand interstellar conflicts and epic voyages across vast galaxies.

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

Solution

Para jumble — sci-fi subgenres Sentence 2 introduces the idea of subgenres, so it opens; sentence 1 ('for instance') gives the first example. Sentence 4 ('Meanwhile') adds the second example, and sentence 3 ('This thematic diversity') concludes. Order: 2, 1, 4, 3 — option (a).

100

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. This enables organisms to adapt to changing environments and ensures the survival of species. 2. Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution. 3. It describes the process where individuals with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. 4. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population.

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

Solution

Para jumble — natural selection Sentence 2 introduces natural selection, so it opens; sentence 3 ('It describes') explains the process. Sentence 1 ('This enables') states the outcome, and sentence 4 closes with the long-term effect. Order: 2, 3, 1, 4 — option (b).