SSC CGL 24 September 2025 · Shift 1 · English Comprehension — questions with answers

76

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice. The children will finish their homework by dinner time.

A.Their homework will be finished by the children by dinner time.
B.Their homework is finished by the children by dinner time.
C.Their homework would be finished by the children by dinner time.
D.Their homework has been finished by the children by dinner time.

Solution

Future passive "Will finish" is simple future active, so the passive is "will be finished". The object "their homework" becomes the subject. (b) is present, (c) uses "would" and (d) present perfect. Hence option (a).

77

Select the correct spelling to fill in the blank. The scientist's interpretation was based on a ____ understanding of nature.

A.supurficial
B.supperficial
C.superficial
D.supperficiall

Solution

Spelling — superficial 'Superficial' — shallow, not deep — is the correct spelling. It has a single p and an e after the first sup-. The others double the p or change the vowel. Hence option (c).

78

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. As a result, the demand for renewable energy sources has grown significantly in recent years. 2. The excessive use of fossil fuels has led to environmental degradation and global warming. 3. Renewable sources like solar and wind power are now being adopted worldwide as cleaner alternatives. 4. Governments and organisations are investing heavily in sustainable energy technologies.

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

Solution

Para jumble — renewable energy Sentence 2 states the problem — fossil fuels causing damage. Sentence 1 ("As a result…") gives the consequence and sentence 3 names the alternatives. Sentence 4 closes with the investment that follows. Order 2-1-3-4 — option (c).

79

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 enables machines to learn from data without explicit programming. 2. Machine learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence, is rapidly gaining prominence. 3. Algorithms are trained on vast datasets to recognize patterns and make predictions. 4. Consequently, it finds applications in diverse fields, from healthcare to finance.

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

Solution

Para jumble — machine learning Sentence 2 introduces machine learning — the opener. Sentence 3 explains how algorithms are trained, and sentence 1 ("This enables…") states what that achieves. Sentence 4 ("Consequently…") closes with the applications. Order 2-3-1-4 — option (b).

80

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: ADVANCED

A.Mature
B.Incipient
C.Developed
D.Progressed

Solution

Antonym — Advanced 'Advanced' means far on in development. 'Incipient' means just beginning to develop — the true opposite. Mature, developed and progressed are all synonyms of advanced. Hence option (b).

81

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given highlighted idiom: After the sudden change in the exam pattern, the students felt completely at sea.

A.An experienced person
B.Travelling all over the world
C.Feeling confused or perplexed
D.Gaining extreme wealth

Solution

Idiom — at sea 'To be at sea' means to be confused and unable to understand what is going on. The image is of a sailor lost with no land in sight. The sudden change left the students bewildered. Hence option (c).

82

Choose the correctly spelt word meaning the doctrine that all knowledge is derived from sense experience.

A.Empiricisim
B.Empiricism
C.Empiricalism
D.Empiricicm

Solution

Spelling — Empiricism 'Empiricism' is the correct spelling — empiric + ism. The doctrine holds that knowledge comes from sensory experience. The other three misplace or double the letters of the -ism ending. Hence option (b).

83

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'Deliberate breach of faith or a form of deceptive tactic'.

A.Heresy
B.Apostasy
C.Perfidy
D.Duplicity

Solution

One-word — Perfidy 'Perfidy' is a deliberate breach of faith or trust — treachery. Heresy is an opinion against accepted religious doctrine and apostasy the abandoning of one’s faith. Duplicity is double-dealing in speech, a narrower idea than a breach of faith. Hence option (c).

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. She enjoys reading novels (1)/, listening to music (2)/ and to paint landscapes (3)/ during her free time. (4)

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

Solution

Parallelism Items joined in a list must take the same grammatical form. The first two are gerunds — "reading" and "listening". So the third must also be a gerund: "and painting landscapes". Hence option (c).

85

Spot the correct spelling of a word that imitates sound.

A.Onomatopaeia
B.Onomatopoiea
C.Onomotopoeia
D.Onomatopoeia

Solution

Spelling — Onomatopoeia 'Onomatopoeia' is the correct spelling. It names words such as buzz and hiss that imitate the sound they describe. The ending is -poeia; the other options rearrange those vowels. Hence option (d).

86

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice. The decision was made by the management to close the branch office.

A.The management makes the decision to close the branch office.
B.The management made the decision to close the branch office.
C.The management had made the decision to close the branch office.
D.The decision to close the branch office made the management.

Solution

Passive → active "Was made" is simple past passive. Its active form keeps the same tense: made. (a) is present, (c) past perfect and (d) reverses the meaning. Hence option (b).

87

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence. By the time we finish dinner, the guests had already left.

A.finished
B.have finished
C.were finishing
D.had finished

Solution

Past perfect sequence The main clause "had already left" is in the past perfect, so the sentence is about the past. "By the time" then takes the simple past for the later action. Correct: ‘By the time we finished dinner, the guests had already left.’ Hence option (a).

88

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blanks. She wants to buy ____ new dress for ____ party next week.

A.a, the
B.the, a
C.an, a
D.a, an

Solution

Articles "New dress" is mentioned for the first time and begins with a consonant sound, so it takes "a". "Party next week" refers to one particular party already known to both speakers, so it takes "the". Correct: ‘a new dress for the party next week’. Hence option (a).

89

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The sound of the temple loudspeaker had a soothing bass quality.

A.The fisherman caught a large sea bass.
B.The bass guitar was out of tune.
C.Boys heard bass notes from the jazz club.
D.Rahman adjusted the bass settings on the stereo.

Solution

Homonym — bass In the given sentence "bass" means a low, deep sound. Options (b), (c) and (d) all use it in that same musical sense. In (a) it names a FISH — same spelling, different word and pronunciation. Hence option (a).

90

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. The teacher said to the students, "Be attentive while solving the equations."

A.The teacher requested the students that they must be attentive while solving the equations.
B.The teacher told the students that they should be attentive while solving equations.
C.The teacher said the students to be attentive while solving equations.
D.The teacher advised the students to be attentive while solving the equations.

Solution

Reported command An imperative in reported speech becomes a to-infinitive after a verb such as advised, told or ordered. "Be attentive" therefore becomes "to be attentive". (c) uses "said" with an object, which is wrong, and (a) and (b) change the structure unnecessarily. Hence option (d).

91

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given highlighted idiom: He cut the Gordian knot by taking a quick decision.

A.To tie up loose ends
B.To defer resolution
C.To solve a complex problem decisively
D.To create a new problem

Solution

Idiom — cut the Gordian knot 'To cut the Gordian knot' means to solve a difficult problem by a bold, decisive act. It refers to Alexander, who sliced through an impossibly tangled knot instead of untying it. The quick decision is exactly such an act. Hence option (c).

92

Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words: 'One who insists on strict adherence to rules or method'.

A.Martinet
B.Maverick
C.Iconoclast
D.Bohemian

Solution

One-word — Martinet A 'martinet' is a strict disciplinarian who demands exact obedience to rules. A maverick is an independent-minded non-conformist and an iconoclast attacks cherished beliefs. A bohemian lives outside conventional social norms. Hence option (a).

93

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: Harp on the same string

A.To repeat a single action or topic endlessly
B.To be fickle in opinion
C.To completely change in behaviour
D.To start a new work

Solution

Idiom — harp on the same string 'To harp on the same string' means to keep dwelling on one subject tediously. The image is of a musician plucking the same string over and over. It has nothing to do with change or fickleness. Hence option (a).

94

Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence. She said to me, "Where have you kept my notebook?"

A.She asked me where had I kept her notebook.
B.She asked me where I had kept her notebook.
C.She asked me where I have kept her notebook.
D.She said me where I had kept her notebook.

Solution

Reported wh-question A reported question takes statement word order — subject before the verb. "Have kept" backshifts to "had kept" and "my" becomes "her". (a) keeps the question order, (c) keeps the present perfect and (d) uses "said me". 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. Regular analysis of this feedback helps companies refine their offerings. 2. Customer satisfaction is a critical metric for business success. 3. It often involves surveys, direct interviews and social media monitoring. 4. Understanding customer needs and preferences is therefore paramount.

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

Solution

Para jumble — customer feedback Sentence 2 states the main idea — customer satisfaction matters. Sentence 4 ("therefore…") follows with the need to understand customers, and sentence 3 tells how that is done. Sentence 1 ("this feedback…") closes with the use made of it. Order 2-4-3-1 — option (d).

96

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Language, as a living system, mirrors the evolution of human society, thought and culture. It constantly adapts to new contexts, reflecting the values and innovations of each era. Unlike static symbols, words possess an inherent flexibility that allows them to gain fresh meanings, discard outdated ones, and reshape themselves to suit changing human experiences. The rise of digital communication has accelerated this linguistic evolution, blending written and spoken forms in unprecedented ways. Abbreviations, emojis and informal expressions have become integral to modern communication, reshaping how people convey tone, emotion and nuance. While some view these shifts as a decline in linguistic standards or a threat to grammatical purity, others interpret them as evidence of language’s vitality. The continual adaptation of vocabulary and structure illustrates that language, far from weakening, grows stronger through innovation. Just as societies evolve to meet new realities, so too does language transform to reflect technological, cultural and emotional developments. Its strength lies not in resisting change but in absorbing it, ensuring that communication remains meaningful and relevant across generations. Ultimately, language endures because it mirrors the adaptability of the human mind itself, always seeking new ways to express thought and feeling.

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

A.Language must remain unchanged to preserve its cultural value.
B.The flexibility of language allows it to survive and stay relevant.
C.Digital communication has weakened the purpose of language.
D.Words should retain their original meanings to ensure clarity.

Solution

RC — central idea The passage repeatedly stresses that words are flexible and adapt to new contexts. It concludes that language’s strength lies in absorbing change, not resisting it. So the central idea is that flexibility keeps language alive and relevant. Hence option (b).

97

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Language, as a living system, mirrors the evolution of human society, thought and culture. It constantly adapts to new contexts, reflecting the values and innovations of each era. Unlike static symbols, words possess an inherent flexibility that allows them to gain fresh meanings, discard outdated ones, and reshape themselves to suit changing human experiences. The rise of digital communication has accelerated this linguistic evolution, blending written and spoken forms in unprecedented ways. Abbreviations, emojis and informal expressions have become integral to modern communication, reshaping how people convey tone, emotion and nuance. While some view these shifts as a decline in linguistic standards or a threat to grammatical purity, others interpret them as evidence of language’s vitality. The continual adaptation of vocabulary and structure illustrates that language, far from weakening, grows stronger through innovation. Just as societies evolve to meet new realities, so too does language transform to reflect technological, cultural and emotional developments. Its strength lies not in resisting change but in absorbing it, ensuring that communication remains meaningful and relevant across generations. Ultimately, language endures because it mirrors the adaptability of the human mind itself, always seeking new ways to express thought and feeling.

According to the passage, how has digital communication influenced language?

A.It has restricted the creative use of words.
B.It has made written and spoken language more distinct.
C.It has blended written and spoken forms through new symbols and abbreviations.
D.It has eliminated the need for grammar and structure.

Solution

RC — digital communication The passage says digital communication has blended written and spoken forms in unprecedented ways. Abbreviations, emojis and informal expressions are given as examples. Far from making the two more distinct, it has brought them together. Hence option (c).

98

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Language, as a living system, mirrors the evolution of human society, thought and culture. It constantly adapts to new contexts, reflecting the values and innovations of each era. Unlike static symbols, words possess an inherent flexibility that allows them to gain fresh meanings, discard outdated ones, and reshape themselves to suit changing human experiences. The rise of digital communication has accelerated this linguistic evolution, blending written and spoken forms in unprecedented ways. Abbreviations, emojis and informal expressions have become integral to modern communication, reshaping how people convey tone, emotion and nuance. While some view these shifts as a decline in linguistic standards or a threat to grammatical purity, others interpret them as evidence of language’s vitality. The continual adaptation of vocabulary and structure illustrates that language, far from weakening, grows stronger through innovation. Just as societies evolve to meet new realities, so too does language transform to reflect technological, cultural and emotional developments. Its strength lies not in resisting change but in absorbing it, ensuring that communication remains meaningful and relevant across generations. Ultimately, language endures because it mirrors the adaptability of the human mind itself, always seeking new ways to express thought and feeling.

What does the author imply by stating that "language mirrors the adaptability of the human mind"?

A.Language changes only when people change their values.
B.Language evolves because humans are capable of innovation and flexibility.
C.Language follows strict, unchanging rules of human thought.
D.Language adapts automatically without human involvement.

Solution

RC — adaptability The passage links the survival of language to human innovation. Since the mind keeps seeking new ways to express thought, language keeps changing with it. Option (d) removes the human role, which the sentence actually emphasises. Hence option (b).

99

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Language, as a living system, mirrors the evolution of human society, thought and culture. It constantly adapts to new contexts, reflecting the values and innovations of each era. Unlike static symbols, words possess an inherent flexibility that allows them to gain fresh meanings, discard outdated ones, and reshape themselves to suit changing human experiences. The rise of digital communication has accelerated this linguistic evolution, blending written and spoken forms in unprecedented ways. Abbreviations, emojis and informal expressions have become integral to modern communication, reshaping how people convey tone, emotion and nuance. While some view these shifts as a decline in linguistic standards or a threat to grammatical purity, others interpret them as evidence of language’s vitality. The continual adaptation of vocabulary and structure illustrates that language, far from weakening, grows stronger through innovation. Just as societies evolve to meet new realities, so too does language transform to reflect technological, cultural and emotional developments. Its strength lies not in resisting change but in absorbing it, ensuring that communication remains meaningful and relevant across generations. Ultimately, language endures because it mirrors the adaptability of the human mind itself, always seeking new ways to express thought and feeling.

The phrase "linguistic purity" as used in the passage refers to:

A.Maintaining traditional forms and avoiding modern variations.
B.Encouraging creativity in communication.
C.Using a mix of languages and expressions.
D.Promoting simplicity in speech.

Solution

RC — linguistic purity The passage speaks of a decline in linguistic standards and a threat to grammatical purity — that is the idea being asked about. Purity here means holding on to traditional, correct forms of the language. It stands opposed to the informal innovations the passage describes. Hence option (a).

100

Directions (Qs. 96-100): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Language, as a living system, mirrors the evolution of human society, thought and culture. It constantly adapts to new contexts, reflecting the values and innovations of each era. Unlike static symbols, words possess an inherent flexibility that allows them to gain fresh meanings, discard outdated ones, and reshape themselves to suit changing human experiences. The rise of digital communication has accelerated this linguistic evolution, blending written and spoken forms in unprecedented ways. Abbreviations, emojis and informal expressions have become integral to modern communication, reshaping how people convey tone, emotion and nuance. While some view these shifts as a decline in linguistic standards or a threat to grammatical purity, others interpret them as evidence of language’s vitality. The continual adaptation of vocabulary and structure illustrates that language, far from weakening, grows stronger through innovation. Just as societies evolve to meet new realities, so too does language transform to reflect technological, cultural and emotional developments. Its strength lies not in resisting change but in absorbing it, ensuring that communication remains meaningful and relevant across generations. Ultimately, language endures because it mirrors the adaptability of the human mind itself, always seeking new ways to express thought and feeling.

Which of the following words best describes the author's attitude toward linguistic change?

A.Critical
B.Appreciative
C.Indifferent
D.Pessimistic

Solution

RC — author's attitude The author calls change evidence of language’s vitality and says it grows stronger through innovation. That is a welcoming, positive view. A critical or pessimistic writer would have called such change a decline. Hence option (b).