SSC CGL 17 September 2025 · Shift 3 · English Comprehension — questions with answers

76

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice. The students were made to rewrite the essay twice.

A.The teacher made the students rewrite the essay twice.
B.The students made the teacher rewrite the essay twice.
C.The students rewrote the essay twice.
D.The teacher was making the students rewrite the essay twice.

Solution

Passive → active (causative) 'Were made to rewrite' is the passive of the causative verb 'make'. In the active voice the doer (the teacher) comes first and 'to' is dropped: made the students rewrite. (b) reverses the roles, (c) drops the causative, (d) changes the tense. Hence option (a).

77

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence. She made a decision after thinking for a long time.

A.did a decision
B.took a decision
C.had a decision
D.brought a decision

Solution

Collocation — take a decision 'Take a decision' is the standard collocation for deciding after consideration. It fits the idea of long thought before deciding. Did, had and brought do not collocate with ‘decision’. Hence option (b).

78

Select the most appropriate meaning of the highlighted idiom. He cries stinking fish about his achievements.

A.Undervaluing one's own efforts
B.Making fun of others
C.Feeling proud without showing it
D.Praising oneself loudly

Solution

Idiom — cry stinking fish 'To cry stinking fish' means to speak badly of one's own work or belittle oneself. The image is of a seller calling his own fish rotten. So he undervalues his own achievements. Hence option (a).

79

Choose the correct spelling.

A.Creede
B.Creed
C.Cread
D.Creid

Solution

Correct spelling 'Creed' — a set of beliefs or principles — is the correct spelling. It has a single e at the end. Creede, Cread and Creid are all wrong. Hence option (b).

80

Choose the correctly spelt word.

A.Deleterius
B.Delitterous
C.Deliterous
D.Deleterious

Solution

Correct spelling 'Deleterious' — causing harm or damage — is spelt correctly. It ends in -ious, not -ius or -ous. The other three misplace letters. Hence option (d).

81

Choose the one-word substitute for the below sentence. She is opposed to any war or violent conflict.

A.Pacifist
B.Terrorist
C.Mercenary
D.Revolutionary

Solution

One-word — Pacifist A 'pacifist' opposes war and violence on principle. A terrorist uses violence for political ends — the opposite. A mercenary is a hired soldier; a revolutionary seeks radical change. Hence option (a).

82

Choose the one-word substitute for the below sentence. Openly holding beliefs that go against the established religious doctrines.

A.Sedition
B.Heresy
C.Blasphemy
D.Faction

Solution

One-word — Heresy 'Heresy' is a belief that runs contrary to established religious doctrine. Sedition is incitement against the state; blasphemy is insulting sacred things. A faction is a small dissenting group within a larger body. Hence option (b).

83

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. Hardly had the train left the station ____ it started raining heavily.

A.when
B.than
C.before
D.until

Solution

Hardly … when 'Hardly … when' is a fixed conjunction pair. (The pair 'No sooner … than' uses 'than'.) So the blank takes 'when'. Hence option (a).

84

The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. The committee is committed (1)/ for ensuring that all members (2)/ have an equal opportunity (3)/ to voice their opinions. (4)

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

Solution

Error — committed to The adjective 'committed' takes the preposition TO, not 'for'. After 'to' the verb stays in the -ing form here. Correct: 'is committed to ensuring…' Hence option (b).

85

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice. They have completed the project successfully.

A.The project has completed successfully by them.
B.The project was completed successfully by them.
C.The project has been completed successfully by them.
D.The project is being completed successfully by them.

Solution

Active → passive (present perfect) 'Have completed' is present perfect active. Its passive is has/have been + past participle. (a) omits ‘been’, (b) shifts to simple past, (d) to present continuous. Hence option (c).

86

The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. It was not until she finished her degree (1)/ and gained some experience (2)/ did she feel confident enough (3)/ to start her own business. (4)

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

Solution

Error — It was not until The structure 'It was not until…' is followed by a THAT-clause in normal order. No inversion (did she feel) is allowed here. Correct: 'that she felt confident enough'. Hence option (c).

87

Choose the sentence that uses a homonym of the highlighted word: The mason carefully repaired the worn stone corbel.

A.The heavy corbel split under the pressure of the vaulted stone.
B.Gothic architects often decorated each corbel with intricate designs.
C.The strategist referred to a political corbel in his Machiavellian plan.
D.The monk sat in quiet meditation beneath the ancient corbel.

Solution

Homonym — corbel In the given sentence 'corbel' means a stone or wooden bracket projecting from a wall. Options (a), (b) and (d) all use it in that architectural sense. Only (c) uses the word in a different, non-architectural sense. Hence option (c).

88

Directions (Qs. 88-92): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Industrialization in colonial India represented a paradox of progress — an appearance of modernization concealing deep economic subordination. The British industrial revolution, powered by technological innovation and capitalist expansion, found in India both a vast market and a limitless source of raw materials. Yet, rather than fostering indigenous industrial growth, colonial policies deliberately stifled it. India, once renowned for its textile craftsmanship, saw its thriving handloom sector dismantled through a combination of tariff manipulation, import domination, and the flooding of British-manufactured goods. The railways, often celebrated as symbols of modernization, primarily served the colonial purpose of resource extraction and troop movement rather than national integration. Similarly, irrigation and infrastructure projects were designed less for agricultural welfare and more for enhancing revenue collection and export efficiency. The colonial economy thus functioned as an appendage to British industry — structured to benefit the metropolis while impoverishing the colony. The decline of local industries displaced artisans and created widespread unemployment, while the agrarian population faced mounting land revenue demands and indebtedness. The resulting deindustrialization transformed India from a producer of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials like cotton, jute, and indigo. Even the emergence of Indian entrepreneurs in the late nineteenth century occurred within a highly restrictive framework that favoured British capital. Industrial growth was permitted only when it aligned with imperial interests, reinforcing dependency rather than self-sufficiency. This economic pattern laid the foundation for structural inequalities that persisted long after independence. The rhetoric of "development" during colonial rule thus masked an exploitative design, where progress was measured not by Indian prosperity but by the profitability of the empire.

What was the main objective of British industrial policy in India according to the passage?

A.Promoting local entrepreneurship
B.Encouraging technological independence
C.Supporting British economic interests
D.Strengthening rural self-reliance

Solution

RC — objective of policy The passage says colonial policies deliberately stifled indigenous industry. The colonial economy worked as an appendage to British industry, benefiting the metropolis. So the aim was to serve British economic interests. Hence option (c).

89

Directions (Qs. 88-92): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Industrialization in colonial India represented a paradox of progress — an appearance of modernization concealing deep economic subordination. The British industrial revolution, powered by technological innovation and capitalist expansion, found in India both a vast market and a limitless source of raw materials. Yet, rather than fostering indigenous industrial growth, colonial policies deliberately stifled it. India, once renowned for its textile craftsmanship, saw its thriving handloom sector dismantled through a combination of tariff manipulation, import domination, and the flooding of British-manufactured goods. The railways, often celebrated as symbols of modernization, primarily served the colonial purpose of resource extraction and troop movement rather than national integration. Similarly, irrigation and infrastructure projects were designed less for agricultural welfare and more for enhancing revenue collection and export efficiency. The colonial economy thus functioned as an appendage to British industry — structured to benefit the metropolis while impoverishing the colony. The decline of local industries displaced artisans and created widespread unemployment, while the agrarian population faced mounting land revenue demands and indebtedness. The resulting deindustrialization transformed India from a producer of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials like cotton, jute, and indigo. Even the emergence of Indian entrepreneurs in the late nineteenth century occurred within a highly restrictive framework that favoured British capital. Industrial growth was permitted only when it aligned with imperial interests, reinforcing dependency rather than self-sufficiency. This economic pattern laid the foundation for structural inequalities that persisted long after independence. The rhetoric of "development" during colonial rule thus masked an exploitative design, where progress was measured not by Indian prosperity but by the profitability of the empire.

What does the passage suggest about the railways under British rule?

A.They were built primarily for social reform.
B.They aimed to enhance colonial control and extraction.
C.They unified India's diverse population.
D.They promoted village-level trade.

Solution

RC — railways The passage calls the railways symbols of modernization only in appearance. They chiefly served resource extraction and troop movement, not national integration. So their purpose was colonial control and extraction. Hence option (b).

90

Directions (Qs. 88-92): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Industrialization in colonial India represented a paradox of progress — an appearance of modernization concealing deep economic subordination. The British industrial revolution, powered by technological innovation and capitalist expansion, found in India both a vast market and a limitless source of raw materials. Yet, rather than fostering indigenous industrial growth, colonial policies deliberately stifled it. India, once renowned for its textile craftsmanship, saw its thriving handloom sector dismantled through a combination of tariff manipulation, import domination, and the flooding of British-manufactured goods. The railways, often celebrated as symbols of modernization, primarily served the colonial purpose of resource extraction and troop movement rather than national integration. Similarly, irrigation and infrastructure projects were designed less for agricultural welfare and more for enhancing revenue collection and export efficiency. The colonial economy thus functioned as an appendage to British industry — structured to benefit the metropolis while impoverishing the colony. The decline of local industries displaced artisans and created widespread unemployment, while the agrarian population faced mounting land revenue demands and indebtedness. The resulting deindustrialization transformed India from a producer of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials like cotton, jute, and indigo. Even the emergence of Indian entrepreneurs in the late nineteenth century occurred within a highly restrictive framework that favoured British capital. Industrial growth was permitted only when it aligned with imperial interests, reinforcing dependency rather than self-sufficiency. This economic pattern laid the foundation for structural inequalities that persisted long after independence. The rhetoric of "development" during colonial rule thus masked an exploitative design, where progress was measured not by Indian prosperity but by the profitability of the empire.

The term "deindustrialization" in the passage refers to -

A.Growth of British manufacturing in India
B.The collapse of indigenous industries
C.The expansion of small-scale crafts
D.Introduction of modern machinery

Solution

RC — 'deindustrialization' The handloom sector was dismantled and artisans were displaced. India turned from a producer of finished goods into a supplier of raw materials. That collapse of local industry is what deindustrialization means here. Hence option (b).

91

Directions (Qs. 88-92): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Industrialization in colonial India represented a paradox of progress — an appearance of modernization concealing deep economic subordination. The British industrial revolution, powered by technological innovation and capitalist expansion, found in India both a vast market and a limitless source of raw materials. Yet, rather than fostering indigenous industrial growth, colonial policies deliberately stifled it. India, once renowned for its textile craftsmanship, saw its thriving handloom sector dismantled through a combination of tariff manipulation, import domination, and the flooding of British-manufactured goods. The railways, often celebrated as symbols of modernization, primarily served the colonial purpose of resource extraction and troop movement rather than national integration. Similarly, irrigation and infrastructure projects were designed less for agricultural welfare and more for enhancing revenue collection and export efficiency. The colonial economy thus functioned as an appendage to British industry — structured to benefit the metropolis while impoverishing the colony. The decline of local industries displaced artisans and created widespread unemployment, while the agrarian population faced mounting land revenue demands and indebtedness. The resulting deindustrialization transformed India from a producer of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials like cotton, jute, and indigo. Even the emergence of Indian entrepreneurs in the late nineteenth century occurred within a highly restrictive framework that favoured British capital. Industrial growth was permitted only when it aligned with imperial interests, reinforcing dependency rather than self-sufficiency. This economic pattern laid the foundation for structural inequalities that persisted long after independence. The rhetoric of "development" during colonial rule thus masked an exploitative design, where progress was measured not by Indian prosperity but by the profitability of the empire.

Why were Indian entrepreneurs limited in their success during colonial rule?

A.They lacked technical knowledge
B.They faced an unsupportive domestic market
C.They operated within a biased system favouring British capital
D.They focused only on agriculture

Solution

RC — Indian entrepreneurs The passage says Indian entrepreneurs emerged within a highly restrictive framework. That framework favoured British capital, and growth was allowed only when it suited imperial interests. So the bias of the system limited them. Hence option (c).

92

Directions (Qs. 88-92): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Industrialization in colonial India represented a paradox of progress — an appearance of modernization concealing deep economic subordination. The British industrial revolution, powered by technological innovation and capitalist expansion, found in India both a vast market and a limitless source of raw materials. Yet, rather than fostering indigenous industrial growth, colonial policies deliberately stifled it. India, once renowned for its textile craftsmanship, saw its thriving handloom sector dismantled through a combination of tariff manipulation, import domination, and the flooding of British-manufactured goods. The railways, often celebrated as symbols of modernization, primarily served the colonial purpose of resource extraction and troop movement rather than national integration. Similarly, irrigation and infrastructure projects were designed less for agricultural welfare and more for enhancing revenue collection and export efficiency. The colonial economy thus functioned as an appendage to British industry — structured to benefit the metropolis while impoverishing the colony. The decline of local industries displaced artisans and created widespread unemployment, while the agrarian population faced mounting land revenue demands and indebtedness. The resulting deindustrialization transformed India from a producer of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials like cotton, jute, and indigo. Even the emergence of Indian entrepreneurs in the late nineteenth century occurred within a highly restrictive framework that favoured British capital. Industrial growth was permitted only when it aligned with imperial interests, reinforcing dependency rather than self-sufficiency. This economic pattern laid the foundation for structural inequalities that persisted long after independence. The rhetoric of "development" during colonial rule thus masked an exploitative design, where progress was measured not by Indian prosperity but by the profitability of the empire.

What long-term impact of colonial economic policy does the passage highlight?

A.Industrial self-sufficiency after independence
B.Enduring structural economic inequalities
C.Rapid technological development
D.Decline of British influence in global trade

Solution

RC — long-term impact The passage states that this economic pattern laid the foundation for structural inequalities. Those inequalities persisted long after independence. So the lasting impact is enduring structural economic inequality. Hence option (b).

93

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. She said, "Where are you going?"

A.She asked where was I going.
B.She asked where I was going.
C.She said where I was going.
D.She told where was I going.

Solution

Direct → indirect question In reported questions the word order becomes that of a statement: subject before verb. 'Are you going' → 'I was going'; 'said' becomes 'asked'. (a) and (d) keep the question order; (c) uses the wrong reporting verb. Hence option (b).

94

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. The teacher said, "Let the students submit their homework tomorrow."

A.The teacher ordered the students to submit their homework the next day.
B.The teacher said that let the students submit their homework tomorrow.
C.The teacher told the students submit their homework tomorrow.
D.The teacher advised the students submitting homework the next day.

Solution

Direct → indirect (imperative) An imperative in reported speech takes ordered/told + object + to + base verb. 'Tomorrow' changes to 'the next day'. (b) keeps 'let', (c) omits 'to', (d) uses a gerund wrongly. Hence option (a).

95

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. She said that if she had known about the meeting, she would have attended it.

A."If I knew about the meeting, I would attend it," she said.
B."Had I known about the meeting, I would have attended it," she said.
C."If I would have known about the meeting, I would attend it," she said.
D."Had I know about the meeting, I would attend it," she said.

Solution

Indirect → direct (third conditional) A third conditional does not backshift further, so it stays as it is in direct speech. 'Had I known… I would have attended it' is the correct inverted third conditional. (a) is a second conditional, (c) misuses ‘would have’ in the if-clause, (d) is ungrammatical. Hence option (b).

96

Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph. 1. Such events cause widespread destruction and displacement. 2. Global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather. 3. Communities must develop better preparedness and resilience strategies. 4. Examples include more powerful hurricanes and prolonged droughts.

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

Solution

Para jumble — climate Sentence 2 introduces the main idea — global warming and extreme weather. Sentence 4 gives examples, and sentence 1 (‘Such events…’) states their effect. Sentence 3 concludes with what communities must do. Order 2-4-1-3 — option (a).

97

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: Disobedient

A.Submissive
B.Obedient
C.Rebellious
D.Amenable

Solution

Synonym — Disobedient 'Disobedient' means refusing to follow rules or commands. 'Rebellious' means resisting authority — the closest synonym. Submissive, obedient and amenable all mean the opposite. Hence option (c).

98

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: Tribute

A.Eulogy
B.Criticism
C.Disrespect
D.Condemnation

Solution

Synonym — Tribute A 'tribute' is an act or statement showing respect and admiration. A 'eulogy' is a speech or writing in high praise — the closest synonym. Criticism, disrespect and condemnation are opposites. Hence option (a).

99

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Morality

A.Virtue
B.Integrity
C.Turpitude
D.Truthfulness

Solution

Antonym — Morality 'Morality' means principles of right conduct. 'Turpitude' means depravity or moral wickedness — the true opposite. Virtue, integrity and truthfulness are all synonyms of morality. Hence option (c).

100

Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph. 1. It refers to the ability to bounce back from adversity. 2. Resilience is a critical psychological trait. 3. Individuals with high resilience can cope better with stress and setbacks. 4. Consequently, building resilience is important for mental well-being.

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

Solution

Para jumble — resilience Sentence 2 names the subject — resilience — so it opens. Sentence 1 ('It refers to…') defines it, and sentence 3 gives its benefit. Sentence 4 ('Consequently…') concludes. Order 2-1-3-4 — option (a).