SSC CGL 18 September 2025 · Shift 3 · English Comprehension — questions with answers

76

Choose the correct one-word substitute for the highlighted part. He lives entirely for pleasure and shows no interest in responsibility or restraint.

A.Hermit
B.Epicure
C.Glutton
D.Reveler

Solution

One-word — Epicure An 'epicure' devotes himself to pleasure, especially refined enjoyment of food and drink. A hermit lives in solitude — the opposite kind of life. A glutton merely overeats; a reveller enjoys noisy parties. Hence option (b).

77

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. The artist's ____ brushstrokes captured the essence of the landscape.

A.masterful
B.master
C.masterfully
D.mastery

Solution

Adjective — masterful The blank describes the noun "brushstrokes", so an ADJECTIVE is needed. "Masterful" is the adjective form. "Masterfully" is an adverb and "mastery" a noun. Hence option (a).

78

Select the idiom that means: A constant threat hanging over someone

A.Burn the midnight oil
B.Bad blood
C.The sword of Damocles
D.Cats and dogs

Solution

Idiom — sword of Damocles 'The sword of Damocles' means an ever-present danger hanging over a person. It comes from the Greek tale of a sword suspended by a single hair. Burn the midnight oil = work late; bad blood = ill feeling. Hence option (c).

79

Select the correct spelling.

A.Aadept
B.Adeppt
C.Adept
D.Adeept

Solution

Correct spelling 'Adept' — highly skilled — is the correct spelling. It has a single a, a single e and a single p. The other three double or add letters wrongly. Hence option (c).

80

Select the correct one-word substitute for: He believes that all events in life are controlled by fate.

A.Dreamer
B.Realist
C.Idealist
D.Fatalists

Solution

One-word — Fatalist A 'fatalist' believes everything is predetermined by fate. A realist deals with things as they are; an idealist follows high principles. A dreamer is impractical or imaginative. Hence option (d).

81

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. He seldom if never (1)/ visits his family, (2)/ even though they live (3)/ in the same town. (4)

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

Solution

Error — seldom if ever The fixed expression is 'seldom if ever', meaning very rarely. 'Seldom if never' is a double negative and is ungrammatical. Correct: 'He seldom if ever visits his family.' Hence option (a).

82

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. The professor, ____ reputation for rigorous research was widely known, retired last year.

A.who
B.whom
C.whose
D.when

Solution

Relative pronoun — whose The blank shows POSSESSION — the reputation belongs to the professor. The possessive relative pronoun is "whose". "Who" is a subject form, "whom" an object form and "when" refers to time. Hence option (c).

83

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. Regular reflection on one’s experiences helps solidify these lessons. 2. Personal growth is an ongoing journey that often stems from embracing new challenges. 3. Every setback, rather than being a failure, can be viewed as an opportunity to learn. 4. It is through these experiences that individuals gain resilience and deeper understanding.

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

Solution

Para jumble — personal growth Sentence 2 introduces personal growth as a journey — the opener. Sentence 3 explains how setbacks become learning opportunities. Sentence 4 ('It is through these experiences…') states the result, and sentence 1 closes with reflection. Order 2-3-4-1 — 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 recommended that the proposal (1)/ is reviewed by an independent expert (2)/ to ensure impartiality (3)/ in the final decision. (4)

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

Solution

Subjunctive after recommend After 'recommend that', English uses the SUBJUNCTIVE — the base form of the verb. So 'is reviewed' must become 'be reviewed'. Correct: 'recommended that the proposal be reviewed…' Hence option (b).

85

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice. The gardener waters the plants every morning.

A.The plants water the gardener every morning.
B.The garden is watered by plants every morning.
C.The plants are watered by the gardener every morning.
D.The plants watering the gardener every morning.

Solution

Active → passive (simple present) "Waters" is simple present active. Its passive is is/are + past participle: are watered. (a) and (b) reverse the roles; (d) is ungrammatical. Hence option (c).

86

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. He said, "Where will they hold the annual conference?"

A.He asked where would they hold the annual conference.
B.He asked where they will hold the annual conference.
C.He asked where they would hold the annual conference.
D.He asked if they would hold the annual conference.

Solution

Direct → indirect question In a reported question the word order becomes that of a statement and "will" backshifts to "would". So: He asked where they would hold the annual conference. (a) keeps the question order, (b) keeps "will", (d) changes a wh-question into a yes/no one. Hence option (c).

87

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The priest put on a silk amice over his alb for the service.

A.The sacristan brought the amice from the vestry room.
B.The writer compared her character's scarf to an amice.
C.The bishop straightened the amice before giving the benediction.
D.The amice featured intricate gold embroidery.

Solution

Homonym — amice In the given sentence 'amice' is a liturgical vestment worn by a priest. Options (a), (c) and (d) all use it in that religious sense. In (b) the word stands for an ordinary item of clothing — a different sense. Hence option (b).

88

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: SUBMISSIVE

A.Insecure
B.Complacent
C.Anxious
D.Vigilant

Solution

Synonym — Submissive 'Submissive' means ready to obey and meekly compliant. Among the choices, 'complacent' — obliging and easily pleased — comes closest. Insecure and anxious describe worry; vigilant means watchful. Hence option (b).

89

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice. It is expected by the management that operations will be streamlined by the new software.

A.That the new software will streamline operations is expected by the management.
B.The new software is expected to streamline operations by the management.
C.Management expects the new software to be streamlining operations.
D.The management expects that the new software will streamline operations.

Solution

Passive → active Both clauses are passive; the active form puts the management first and the software as the doer inside. So: The management expects that the new software will streamline operations. (a) and (b) stay passive, (c) changes the aspect wrongly. Hence option (d).

90

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence. The government suspected that the scientist had been knowing the solution to the complex problem for months.

A.known the solution
B.knowingly solved
C.knowing the solution
D.been known the solution

Solution

Stative verb — know 'Know' is a stative verb and is not used in continuous forms. The past perfect "had known" is correct for something true over past months. So: 'the scientist had known the solution…' Hence option (a).

91

Select the idiom that means: Serves generous and high-quality meals

A.Eat humble pie
B.Keeps a good table
C.Go the extra mile
D.Put one's shoulder to the wheel

Solution

Idiom — keeps a good table 'To keep a good table' means to serve generous, high-quality food. 'Eat humble pie' means to admit one's mistake. 'Go the extra mile' and 'put one's shoulder to the wheel' both refer to extra effort. Hence option (b).

92

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Honor

A.Respect
B.Opprobrium
C.Esteem
D.Dignity

Solution

Antonym — Honor 'Honor' means high respect or esteem. 'Opprobrium' means public disgrace and harsh criticism — the true opposite. Respect, esteem and dignity are all synonyms of honour. Hence option (b).

93

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. The designer admitted that he had overlooked a crucial detail, and that the oversight had significantly impacted the final outcome.

A.The designer said, "I overlooked a crucial detail, and that oversight significantly impacted the final outcome."
B.The designer said, "I have overlooked a crucial detail, and that oversight has significantly impacted the final outcome."
C.The designer said, "I overlook a crucial detail, and that oversight impacts the final outcome."
D.The designer said, "I had overlooked a crucial detail, and that oversight would significantly impact the final outcome."

Solution

Indirect → direct Reverse the backshift: reported past perfect comes from the present perfect. So "had overlooked" → "have overlooked" and "had impacted" → "has impacted". (a) uses the simple past, (c) the simple present, (d) keeps the past perfect. Hence option (b).

94

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence. The student studied diligently so he could pass the difficult examination.

A.so he passes
B.so that he might pass
C.so that he will pass
D.so he might passing

Solution

Purpose clause A purpose clause takes 'so that' followed by a modal. With a past main verb the modal becomes "might". So: 'so that he might pass the difficult examination'. Hence option (b).

95

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. This led to a significant increase in demand for skilled workers in computing fields. 2. The advent of the internet fundamentally transformed global communication and commerce. 3. New industries emerged, centred around e-commerce, software development, and digital services. 4. Consequently, educational institutions rapidly adapted their curricula to meet these new needs.

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

Solution

Para jumble — internet Sentence 2 introduces the arrival of the internet — the opener. Sentence 3 describes the new industries it created. Sentence 1 ('This led to…') notes the demand for skilled workers, and sentence 4 ('Consequently…') closes with education. Order 2-3-1-4 — option (a).

96

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In an era defined by relentless technological acceleration, the concept of time has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a natural rhythm, guided by the alternation of day and night, has become an economic commodity subject to precision, measurement, and monetization. The Industrial Revolution marked the first decisive shift, synchronizing human activity with the ticking of the clock. Factory whistles replaced the crow of the rooster, and punctuality became a moral virtue. In the digital age, this commodification has intensified. Every moment is tracked, categorized, and optimized — an invisible currency traded in the global marketplace of attention. Time management is no longer a simple skill but an ideological expectation that governs modern life. The lexicon of efficiency has infiltrated both professional and personal spheres, equating speed with intelligence and busyness with value. Leisure, once considered restorative, is now subtly framed as unproductive or even wasteful. The pressure to constantly perform, respond, and produce has eroded the capacity for stillness. Humanity’s obsession with saving time paradoxically ensures that there is never enough of it. This mechanized relationship with time breeds a deep psychological alienation. The more individuals attempt to master time, the more subservient they become to its relentless quantification. Pre-industrial societies perceived time as cyclical and collective, attuned to the organic patterns of nature — the harvest, the tide, the moon. Time flowed with life, not against it. Today, however, the digital clock abstracts time from lived experience, rendering it uniform, fragmented, and detached from meaning. The day becomes a sequence of scheduled obligations rather than an unfolding of moments. The age of hyper-connectivity has further distorted temporal perception. Instant communication fosters impatience; delayed responses evoke anxiety. The constant flow of notifications creates an illusion of perpetual urgency, where silence feels like a void that must be filled. Reclaiming a humane relationship with time, therefore, demands more than better scheduling: it calls for reimagining time as a space for presence, reflection and meaning rather than as a commodity to be spent.

Which of the following best expresses the central idea of the passage?

A.The passage warns against the economic exploitation of natural resources.
B.It examines how technological and social changes have commodified time and altered human experience.
C.It explores how pre-industrial societies failed to measure time accurately.
D.It argues that leisure and work should be treated as identical pursuits.

Solution

RC — central idea The passage traces time from a natural rhythm to an economic commodity. It shows how industrial and digital change turned every moment into something measured and monetised. That transformation of human experience is its central idea. Hence option (b).

97

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In an era defined by relentless technological acceleration, the concept of time has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a natural rhythm, guided by the alternation of day and night, has become an economic commodity subject to precision, measurement, and monetization. The Industrial Revolution marked the first decisive shift, synchronizing human activity with the ticking of the clock. Factory whistles replaced the crow of the rooster, and punctuality became a moral virtue. In the digital age, this commodification has intensified. Every moment is tracked, categorized, and optimized — an invisible currency traded in the global marketplace of attention. Time management is no longer a simple skill but an ideological expectation that governs modern life. The lexicon of efficiency has infiltrated both professional and personal spheres, equating speed with intelligence and busyness with value. Leisure, once considered restorative, is now subtly framed as unproductive or even wasteful. The pressure to constantly perform, respond, and produce has eroded the capacity for stillness. Humanity’s obsession with saving time paradoxically ensures that there is never enough of it. This mechanized relationship with time breeds a deep psychological alienation. The more individuals attempt to master time, the more subservient they become to its relentless quantification. Pre-industrial societies perceived time as cyclical and collective, attuned to the organic patterns of nature — the harvest, the tide, the moon. Time flowed with life, not against it. Today, however, the digital clock abstracts time from lived experience, rendering it uniform, fragmented, and detached from meaning. The day becomes a sequence of scheduled obligations rather than an unfolding of moments. The age of hyper-connectivity has further distorted temporal perception. Instant communication fosters impatience; delayed responses evoke anxiety. The constant flow of notifications creates an illusion of perpetual urgency, where silence feels like a void that must be filled. Reclaiming a humane relationship with time, therefore, demands more than better scheduling: it calls for reimagining time as a space for presence, reflection and meaning rather than as a commodity to be spent.

What does the author mean by the statement, "Humanity’s obsession with saving time paradoxically ensures that there is never enough of it"?

A.Saving time allows people to be more productive.
B.The more people try to optimize time, the more they feel deprived of it.
C.People have stopped measuring time altogether.
D.The industrial era made time infinite and abundant.

Solution

RC — paradox of saving time The passage says the pressure to perform and produce has eroded the capacity for stillness. The harder people try to optimise every moment, the more scarce time feels. That is the paradox being described. Hence option (b).

98

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In an era defined by relentless technological acceleration, the concept of time has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a natural rhythm, guided by the alternation of day and night, has become an economic commodity subject to precision, measurement, and monetization. The Industrial Revolution marked the first decisive shift, synchronizing human activity with the ticking of the clock. Factory whistles replaced the crow of the rooster, and punctuality became a moral virtue. In the digital age, this commodification has intensified. Every moment is tracked, categorized, and optimized — an invisible currency traded in the global marketplace of attention. Time management is no longer a simple skill but an ideological expectation that governs modern life. The lexicon of efficiency has infiltrated both professional and personal spheres, equating speed with intelligence and busyness with value. Leisure, once considered restorative, is now subtly framed as unproductive or even wasteful. The pressure to constantly perform, respond, and produce has eroded the capacity for stillness. Humanity’s obsession with saving time paradoxically ensures that there is never enough of it. This mechanized relationship with time breeds a deep psychological alienation. The more individuals attempt to master time, the more subservient they become to its relentless quantification. Pre-industrial societies perceived time as cyclical and collective, attuned to the organic patterns of nature — the harvest, the tide, the moon. Time flowed with life, not against it. Today, however, the digital clock abstracts time from lived experience, rendering it uniform, fragmented, and detached from meaning. The day becomes a sequence of scheduled obligations rather than an unfolding of moments. The age of hyper-connectivity has further distorted temporal perception. Instant communication fosters impatience; delayed responses evoke anxiety. The constant flow of notifications creates an illusion of perpetual urgency, where silence feels like a void that must be filled. Reclaiming a humane relationship with time, therefore, demands more than better scheduling: it calls for reimagining time as a space for presence, reflection and meaning rather than as a commodity to be spent.

According to the passage, how did pre-industrial societies experience time differently from modern societies?

A.They ignored time completely and lived without schedules.
B.They perceived time as cyclical and harmonious with nature rather than mechanical and fragmented.
C.They used more accurate systems for tracking time.
D.They prioritized personal ambition over collective harmony.

Solution

RC — pre-industrial time The passage says such societies saw time as cyclical and collective. It was attuned to the harvest, the tide and the moon — time flowed WITH life. Modern digital time, by contrast, is uniform and fragmented. Hence option (b).

99

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In an era defined by relentless technological acceleration, the concept of time has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a natural rhythm, guided by the alternation of day and night, has become an economic commodity subject to precision, measurement, and monetization. The Industrial Revolution marked the first decisive shift, synchronizing human activity with the ticking of the clock. Factory whistles replaced the crow of the rooster, and punctuality became a moral virtue. In the digital age, this commodification has intensified. Every moment is tracked, categorized, and optimized — an invisible currency traded in the global marketplace of attention. Time management is no longer a simple skill but an ideological expectation that governs modern life. The lexicon of efficiency has infiltrated both professional and personal spheres, equating speed with intelligence and busyness with value. Leisure, once considered restorative, is now subtly framed as unproductive or even wasteful. The pressure to constantly perform, respond, and produce has eroded the capacity for stillness. Humanity’s obsession with saving time paradoxically ensures that there is never enough of it. This mechanized relationship with time breeds a deep psychological alienation. The more individuals attempt to master time, the more subservient they become to its relentless quantification. Pre-industrial societies perceived time as cyclical and collective, attuned to the organic patterns of nature — the harvest, the tide, the moon. Time flowed with life, not against it. Today, however, the digital clock abstracts time from lived experience, rendering it uniform, fragmented, and detached from meaning. The day becomes a sequence of scheduled obligations rather than an unfolding of moments. The age of hyper-connectivity has further distorted temporal perception. Instant communication fosters impatience; delayed responses evoke anxiety. The constant flow of notifications creates an illusion of perpetual urgency, where silence feels like a void that must be filled. Reclaiming a humane relationship with time, therefore, demands more than better scheduling: it calls for reimagining time as a space for presence, reflection and meaning rather than as a commodity to be spent.

What does the passage imply about the effect of hyper-connectivity on human behavior?

A.It strengthens patience and long-term focus.
B.It fosters calm reflection and silence.
C.It creates impatience, anxiety, and a constant sense of urgency.
D.It restores the contemplative rhythm of life.

Solution

RC — hyper-connectivity Instant communication fosters impatience and delayed replies cause anxiety. Endless notifications create an illusion of perpetual urgency. So hyper-connectivity breeds impatience and unease. Hence option (c).

100

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In an era defined by relentless technological acceleration, the concept of time has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a natural rhythm, guided by the alternation of day and night, has become an economic commodity subject to precision, measurement, and monetization. The Industrial Revolution marked the first decisive shift, synchronizing human activity with the ticking of the clock. Factory whistles replaced the crow of the rooster, and punctuality became a moral virtue. In the digital age, this commodification has intensified. Every moment is tracked, categorized, and optimized — an invisible currency traded in the global marketplace of attention. Time management is no longer a simple skill but an ideological expectation that governs modern life. The lexicon of efficiency has infiltrated both professional and personal spheres, equating speed with intelligence and busyness with value. Leisure, once considered restorative, is now subtly framed as unproductive or even wasteful. The pressure to constantly perform, respond, and produce has eroded the capacity for stillness. Humanity’s obsession with saving time paradoxically ensures that there is never enough of it. This mechanized relationship with time breeds a deep psychological alienation. The more individuals attempt to master time, the more subservient they become to its relentless quantification. Pre-industrial societies perceived time as cyclical and collective, attuned to the organic patterns of nature — the harvest, the tide, the moon. Time flowed with life, not against it. Today, however, the digital clock abstracts time from lived experience, rendering it uniform, fragmented, and detached from meaning. The day becomes a sequence of scheduled obligations rather than an unfolding of moments. The age of hyper-connectivity has further distorted temporal perception. Instant communication fosters impatience; delayed responses evoke anxiety. The constant flow of notifications creates an illusion of perpetual urgency, where silence feels like a void that must be filled. Reclaiming a humane relationship with time, therefore, demands more than better scheduling: it calls for reimagining time as a space for presence, reflection and meaning rather than as a commodity to be spent.

Which of the following best captures the author's proposed remedy for modern alienation from time?

A.Strictly limiting the use of digital technology.
B.Increasing productivity through better time management techniques.
C.Reimagining time as a space for presence, reflection, and meaning rather than as a commodity.
D.Returning to pre-industrial methods of labor and agriculture.

Solution

RC — remedy The passage says reclaiming a humane relationship with time needs more than better scheduling. It calls for seeing time as a space for presence, reflection and meaning. So the remedy is a change of outlook, not merely of technique. Hence option (c).