SSC GD Constable 10 February 2025 · Shift 2 · English — questions with answers · ShikshaSphere
Chapter 69 of 210
10 February 2025 · Shift 2
English
20 questions ~20 min readFree
20 questions
A
61
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank and make the sentence meaningful.
Don't try to divert me my principles.
A.from
B.on
C.for
D.about
Solution
Preposition with 'divert'
'Divert' means to turn someone or something away from a set course, and the thing turned away from is introduced by 'from': divert somebody from something.
Here the principles are the fixed course the speaker is being pulled away from, so the blank takes 'from' - 'Don't try to divert me from my principles.'
'on', 'for' and 'about' are never used after 'divert' in this sense, so the correct option is (a).
62
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the highlighted word segment in the given sentence. If the sentence is grammatically correct, select 'No correction'.
She is attending the conference yesterday.
A.No correction
B.has attended
C.attended
D.was attending
Solution
Tense with past time marker
The adverb 'yesterday' fixes the action in finished past time, and a present continuous form ('is attending') cannot describe finished past time.
The tense that goes with a definite past time marker is the simple past, so the segment becomes 'attended' - 'She attended the conference yesterday.'
'has attended' is barred because a present perfect never takes a definite past time expression, and 'was attending' would need an interrupting action; so the correct option is (c).
63
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that contains an adverb-usage error.
Benjamin and Lucas gently volunteered for the disaster management task.
A.for the
B.Benjamin and Lucas
C.disaster management task.
D.gently volunteered
Solution
Adverb-usage error
An adverb must suit the verb it modifies. 'Gently' means softly or mildly, and it describes the manner of touching or speaking, not of offering to join a disaster-relief team.
Volunteering for disaster management calls for an adverb of willingness or eagerness - 'readily volunteered' or 'enthusiastically volunteered'.
The other three parts contain no adverb at all: 'Benjamin and Lucas' is the subject, 'for the' a preposition with its article and 'disaster management task.' a noun phrase.
So the adverb-usage error lies in (d).
64
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined word.
The conductor directed the orchestra with precision and grace.
A.Elegance and smoothness of movement
B.A type of flower
C.A style of music
D.A prayer before a meal
Solution
Meaning in context
'Grace' is paired here with 'precision', so both words describe the manner in which the conductor directed the orchestra.
In that sense 'grace' means elegance and smoothness of movement - an easy, flowing quality in the gestures.
'A prayer before a meal' is a different sense of the same word and does not fit a manner of conducting, while 'a type of flower' and 'a style of music' are not meanings of 'grace' at all; hence (a).
65
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate collocation.
We reached a conclusion after discussing the matter.
A.quick
B.big
C.heavy
D.clear
Solution
Adjective-noun collocation
A collocation is the word English habitually pairs with another; with the noun 'conclusion' the natural adjective here is 'clear'.
'We reached a clear conclusion' means a definite, unambiguous decision, which is exactly what follows 'after discussing the matter'.
'big conclusion' and 'heavy conclusion' are not English collocations, and a 'quick conclusion' contradicts a conclusion reached only after discussion; hence (d).
66
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the given sentence.
His strict adherence to the schedule was remarkable, displaying an extraordinary level of rigidity.
A.Uniformity
B.Consistency
C.Flexibility
D.Complexity
Solution
Antonym: rigidity
'Rigidity' is the quality of being stiff and unwilling to bend or change - in the sentence, sticking strictly to a schedule.
The opposite quality is the readiness to adapt and change, which is 'flexibility'.
'Uniformity' (sameness throughout) and 'consistency' (keeping the same standard) lie close to rigidity rather than against it, and 'complexity' is unrelated; hence (c).
67
Select the word from among the given options that is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the given sentence.
Ashok tried to justify his late arrival by sharing about the traffic jam he encountered on the way.
A.Mention
B.Intensify
C.Hesitate
D.Explain
Solution
Synonym: justify
'Justify' means to give reasons showing that an action was reasonable or excusable.
Ashok offers the traffic jam as his reason for arriving late, that is, he explains his late arrival; so 'explain' is closest in meaning.
'Mention' is merely to refer to something briefly, without offering a reason, while 'intensify' (make stronger) and 'hesitate' (pause) are unrelated; hence (d).
68
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.
You hit the nail on the head with this colour of wallpaper for the living room; it looks better than I expected.
A.Hit the wall
B.Hit the floor
C.Analyse and understand the situation
D.Identify something exactly right
Solution
Idiom meaning
'Hit the nail on the head' is an idiom, so its literal sense is not taken; it means to say or do exactly the right thing.
The speaker praises the wallpaper colour as the perfectly right choice - 'it looks better than I expected' - so the idiom means identifying something exactly right.
(a) and (b) read the idiom literally, and 'analyse and understand the situation' describes studying a problem rather than getting it precisely right; hence (d).
69
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
Quick-witted
A.Patient
B.Foolish
C.Brave
D.Kind
Solution
Antonym: quick-witted
'Quick-witted' describes a person who thinks and responds intelligently and fast.
Its opposite is a want of intelligence and judgement, which is 'foolish'.
'Patient', 'brave' and 'kind' name entirely different traits - temperament, courage and warmth - and none of them contrasts with mental sharpness; hence (b).
70
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.
The camouflage look of army tanks saves them from enemy attack.
A.Exhibit
B.Obscure
C.Veiled
D.Disguised
Solution
Antonym: camouflage
'Camouflage' means to conceal something by making it blend into its surroundings - the very reason the tanks are safe from attack.
The opposite action is to show it openly, which is 'exhibit'.
'Obscure', 'veiled' and 'disguised' all carry the idea of hiding, so they are synonyms of camouflage, not antonyms; hence (a).
71
Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
A.Suspeciously
B.Wearily
C.Stealthily
D.Recklessly
Solution
Spelling
The adverb formed from 'suspicious' is 'suspiciously' - the 'i' of 'suspicion' is kept and no 'e' is added.
The option prints 'Suspeciously' with an extra 'e', so that is the incorrectly spelt word.
'Wearily', 'stealthily' and 'recklessly' are all correctly spelt, so the answer is (a).
72
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
Her attitude towards her colleagues made her a beloved team member.
A.apathetic
B.indifferent
C.belligerent
D.cordial
Solution
Vocabulary in context
The result clause 'made her a beloved team member' is the clue: the attitude described must be a warm and friendly one.
'Cordial' means warm, friendly and sincere, so it explains why her colleagues loved her.
'Apathetic' and 'indifferent' mean uncaring and 'belligerent' means aggressive - all three would make her disliked, not beloved; hence (d).
73
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
She is known for her spirit, always helping others in need.
A.selfish
B.generous
C.mean
D.greedy
Solution
Vocabulary in context
The phrase after the comma - 'always helping others in need' - defines the spirit being described.
A person who constantly helps others has a 'generous' spirit, that is, one willing to give freely of her time and means.
'Selfish', 'mean' and 'greedy' all describe the opposite behaviour and would contradict the second half of the sentence; hence (b).
74
In the following sentence, four words are given in bold out of which one is incorrectly spelt. Identify the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
The ridiculous pranks portrayed by the sykophants are intolerable, occasionally.
A.Ridiculous
B.Occasionally
C.Sykophants
D.Portrayed
Solution
Spelling in a sentence
'Sycophants' - flatterers who fawn on the powerful for their own gain - is spelt with a 'c' after 'sy', never with a 'k'.
The sentence prints 'sykophants', so that is the incorrectly spelt word.
'Ridiculous' (-ous, no 'e' after 'ul'), 'portrayed' (por-trayed) and 'occasionally' (double 'c', single 's', double 'l') are all correctly spelt; hence (c).
75
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 project was delayed/because of unforeseen issues;/consequency, we had/to adjust our timeline./
A.because of unforeseen issues;
B.to adjust our timeline
C.consequency, we had
D.The project was delayed
Solution
Error spotting: word form
The sentence needs a connector between the cause ('unforeseen issues') and its result ('we had to adjust our timeline').
That connector is the adverb 'consequently', meaning 'as a result'; there is no such word as 'consequency' in English, so the third part is wrong.
The corrected part reads 'consequently, we had', giving 'The project was delayed because of unforeseen issues; consequently, we had to adjust our timeline.'
The other parts are sound - 'was delayed' is a correct passive, 'because of' properly introduces a noun phrase and 'to adjust' is a correct infinitive; so the error is in (c).
76
Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Scholars have long noted that International Monetary Fund (IMF) restructuring programmes (76) winners and losers, but always in (77) to different sectors of the economy. For example, the fact that programmes
(78) to strengthen exports has been shown to favour farmers and business owners over urban middle class state employees like civil servants. The problem with purely (79) sectors is highlighted when you look at citizens' experiences. One (80) of the survey data, covering nine countries in Africa, showed that three out of ten civil servants actually thought IMF reforms made their lives better.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (76).
A.calibrate
B.calculate
C.celibate
D.create
Solution
Cloze: verb choice
The blank is the verb of the clause, and its object is 'winners and losers': the programmes bring winners and losers into being.
'Create' means to cause something to exist, so 'programmes create winners and losers' is the required sense.
'Calibrate' (to adjust an instrument precisely) and 'calculate' (to compute) cannot take 'winners and losers' as an object, and 'celibate' is an adjective, not a verb at all; hence (d).
77
Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Scholars have long noted that International Monetary Fund (IMF) restructuring programmes (76) winners and losers, but always in (77) to different sectors of the economy. For example, the fact that programmes
(78) to strengthen exports has been shown to favour farmers and business owners over urban middle class state employees like civil servants. The problem with purely (79) sectors is highlighted when you look at citizens' experiences. One (80) of the survey data, covering nine countries in Africa, showed that three out of ten civil servants actually thought IMF reforms made their lives better.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (77).
A.objection
B.anticipation
C.narration
D.relation
Solution
Cloze: fixed phrase
The blank sits inside the frame 'in ____ to', and the fixed English phrase built on that frame is 'in relation to', meaning 'with reference to'.
The sentence says the winners and losers are always identified with reference to different sectors of the economy, which is exactly that sense.
'Objection' and 'narration' do not form a phrase with 'in ... to', and 'anticipation' takes 'of', not 'to'; hence (d).
78
Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Scholars have long noted that International Monetary Fund (IMF) restructuring programmes (76) winners and losers, but always in (77) to different sectors of the economy. For example, the fact that programmes
(78) to strengthen exports has been shown to favour farmers and business owners over urban middle class state employees like civil servants. The problem with purely (79) sectors is highlighted when you look at citizens' experiences. One (80) of the survey data, covering nine countries in Africa, showed that three out of ten civil servants actually thought IMF reforms made their lives better.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (78).
A.separate
B.negate
C.integrate
D.attempt
Solution
Cloze: verb with infinitive
The blank is a verb followed directly by the infinitive 'to strengthen exports', so it must be a verb that takes a 'to'-infinitive.
'Attempt to do something' is such a verb and gives the guarded sense the passage needs: the programmes try to strengthen exports.
'Separate', 'negate' and 'integrate' are not followed by a 'to'-infinitive in this way, and negating or separating exports would contradict the rest of the sentence; hence (d).
79
Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Scholars have long noted that International Monetary Fund (IMF) restructuring programmes (76) winners and losers, but always in (77) to different sectors of the economy. For example, the fact that programmes
(78) to strengthen exports has been shown to favour farmers and business owners over urban middle class state employees like civil servants. The problem with purely (79) sectors is highlighted when you look at citizens' experiences. One (80) of the survey data, covering nine countries in Africa, showed that three out of ten civil servants actually thought IMF reforms made their lives better.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (79).
A.compering
B.comparing
C.compiling
D.compelling
Solution
Cloze: participle as modifier
The blank is an -ing form modifying 'sectors' - 'the problem with purely ____ sectors' - so it must name the activity the writer finds inadequate.
The paragraph has just set one sector against another (farmers and business owners versus civil servants), and the next sentence shows civil servants themselves disagreeing about the reforms.
So the flaw lies in merely 'comparing' sectors, which hides the differences inside a sector.
'Compering' (hosting a show), 'compiling' (collecting into a list) and 'compelling' (forcing) make no sense with 'sectors'; hence (b).
80
Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Scholars have long noted that International Monetary Fund (IMF) restructuring programmes (76) winners and losers, but always in (77) to different sectors of the economy. For example, the fact that programmes
(78) to strengthen exports has been shown to favour farmers and business owners over urban middle class state employees like civil servants. The problem with purely (79) sectors is highlighted when you look at citizens' experiences. One (80) of the survey data, covering nine countries in Africa, showed that three out of ten civil servants actually thought IMF reforms made their lives better.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (80).
A.segment
B.ligament
C.fragment
D.payment
Solution
Cloze: noun choice
The blank is a noun in 'One ____ of the survey data', so it must name one defined part of a larger body of data.
'Segment' is the standard word for such a portion: 'One segment of the survey data ... showed that three out of ten civil servants ...'
'Ligament' (a band of body tissue) and 'payment' are irrelevant, and 'fragment' suggests a broken-off scrap rather than a deliberate subdivision of data; hence (a).
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