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SSC GD Constable 10 February 2025 · Shift 3 · English — questions with answers · ShikshaSphere

Chapter 74 of 210

10 February 2025 · Shift 3

English

20 questions ~20 min readFree

20 questions

The given sentence is divided into four segments. Select the option that has the segment with an adverbial usage error. frequent, / Clara fled / from the / angry dog.

A.Clara fled
B.angry dog.
C.from the
D.frequent,

Solution

Adverb vs adjective A word placed at the head of a sentence to tell how or how often the action happened modifies the verb, so it must be in adverb form. 'Frequent' is an adjective (a frequent visitor); the sentence needs the adverb 'frequently' - 'Frequently, Clara fled from the angry dog.' The other three segments are sound: 'Clara fled' (subject + verb), 'from the' and 'angry dog.' (preposition + adjective + noun). Hence the adverbial error lies in segment (d).

Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.

A.Quarterly
B.Frequently
C.Fortnitly
D.Occasionally

Solution

Spelling The correct spelling is 'Fortnightly' - fort + night + ly, the word coming from 'fourteen nights'. 'Fortnitly' drops the 'gh' of 'night', which must always be written even though it is silent. 'Quarterly', 'Frequently' and 'Occasionally' are all spelt correctly. Hence option (c) is the incorrectly spelt word.

Fill in the blank with the suitable option. We must

____

on our spiritual journey by first understanding the grace and significance of a pilgrimage.

A.embitter
B.embark
C.embrace
D.launch

Solution

Phrasal verb 'Embark on' is a fixed phrasal verb meaning to begin or set out on something new, especially a journey. The blank is followed by 'on our spiritual journey', so only 'embark' completes the collocation. 'Embitter' means to make someone bitter; 'embrace' takes a direct object (embrace a journey), never 'on'; and 'launch on a journey' is not idiomatic English. Hence option (b) is correct.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. Despite the

____

weather, the festival was a huge success.

A.inclement
B.temperate
C.balmy
D.mild

Solution

Vocabulary in context 'Despite' signals a contrast: something unfavourable existed, yet the festival still succeeded. 'Inclement' means unpleasantly cold, wet or stormy, so it supplies exactly the unfavourable idea the contrast needs. 'Temperate', 'balmy' and 'mild' all describe pleasant weather, which would leave 'despite' with nothing to contrast. Hence option (a) is correct.

Select the word from among the given options that is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the given sentence. Sheela was grateful for the support her colleagues provided during a difficult time.

A.Thankful
B.Undecided
C.Spontaneous
D.Creative

Solution

Synonym 'Grateful' means feeling and showing thanks for kindness or help received. Sheela felt thanks for the support her colleagues gave, so 'Thankful' carries the same meaning. 'Undecided' (not having decided), 'Spontaneous' (acting without planning) and 'Creative' (inventive) have nothing to do with gratitude. Hence option (a) is correct.

Select the option that rectifies the spelling error in the given sentence. The students have coordialy invited the teachers for their Freshers' function.

A.coordially
B.cordially
C.cordialy
D.cordaily

Solution

Spelling correction The correct spelling is 'cordially' - cordial + ly; the base word has a single 'o' and the adverb keeps the full '-ally'. The sentence should read 'The students have cordially invited the teachers for their Freshers' function.' 'coordially' adds an extra 'o', 'cordialy' drops one 'l', and 'cordaily' reverses the 'ia'. Hence option (b) is correct.

Fill in the blank with the most suitable collocation. They are

____

on the current projects of constructions.

A.make progress
B.having progress
C.making progress
D.inviting progress

Solution

Collocation and tense 'Make progress' is the fixed collocation for moving forward in a piece of work. The helping verb 'are' is already there, so the present continuous needs the '-ing' form: 'are making progress'. 'are make' is ungrammatical, while 'having progress' and 'inviting progress' are not English collocations at all. Hence option (c) is correct.

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate ANTONYM of the word given in brackets. There's no way he'd (consent)

____

to travel all the way from Boston.

A.authorise
B.decide
C.ratify
D.dissent

Solution

Antonym The blank must hold the opposite of the bracketed word 'consent', which means to agree or give permission. 'Dissent' means to disagree or withhold agreement, so it is the exact antonym. 'Authorise' and 'ratify' both mean to approve, so they are synonyms of 'consent'; 'decide' is neutral and shows no disagreement. Hence option (d) is correct.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. Many trees have growth rings that we can count and measure to

____

out how old they are and how fast they are growing.

A.bring
B.search
C.look
D.find

Solution

Phrasal verb 'Find out' is the phrasal verb for discovering information by checking, counting or measuring. Counting and measuring the growth rings is exactly how the age and rate of growth are discovered. 'bring out' means to reveal or publish, 'search out' needs a thing rather than a fact-clause, and 'look out' means to be careful. Hence option (d) is correct.

Identify the sentence with the INCORRECT usage of the adverb.

A.The teacher evaluated all the answer scripts figurative.
B.The teacher evaluated all the answer scripts angrily.
C.The teacher evaluated all the answer scripts appropriately.
D.The teacher evaluated all the answer scripts justly.

Solution

Adverb usage A verb is modified by an adverb, not by an adjective; here the word must tell how the teacher 'evaluated'. In (a) 'figurative' is an adjective, so the sentence needs the adverb 'figuratively'. 'angrily', 'appropriately' and 'justly' are all '-ly' adverbs and modify 'evaluated' correctly. Hence option (a) shows the incorrect usage.

Select the appropriate synonym of the given word. Abandon

A.Retain
B.Relinquish
C.Preserve
D.Maintain

Solution

Synonym 'Abandon' means to give up or leave something completely and permanently. 'Relinquish' also means to give up a claim, right or possession, so it is the closest synonym. 'Retain', 'Preserve' and 'Maintain' all mean to keep something - they are opposites of 'abandon'. Hence option (b) is correct.

In the sentence 'The leader's speech was invigorating', what is the most appropriate ANTONYM of the word 'invigorating' ?

A.Refreshing
B.Dull
C.Evocative
D.Suspicious

Solution

Antonym 'Invigorating' means filling the listener with fresh energy and enthusiasm. Its opposite is a speech that leaves the listener flat and bored, that is, 'Dull'. 'Refreshing' is a synonym, while 'Evocative' (stirring memories) and 'Suspicious' (full of doubt) are not opposites at all. Hence option (b) is correct.

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. ABC

A.Fair and honest
B.To be ready
C.Very common knowledge
D.Complete failure

Solution

Idiom The idiom 'ABC' points to the first three letters of the alphabet - the very first thing anyone learns. So the 'ABC' of a subject means its elementary, very common knowledge. E.g. Understanding simple interest is the ABC of banking. Hence option (c) is correct.

Select the most appropriate meaning of the highlighted word in the given sentence. The children decorated the classroom with a mellow yellow paint, creating a calming atmosphere for reading time.

A.soft and pleasant
B.rough and textured
C.dark and gloomy
D.bright and sunny

Solution

Word meaning 'Mellow' describes a colour, sound or flavour that is soft, gentle and pleasant rather than harsh. The paint creates a 'calming atmosphere', which confirms the soft and pleasant sense. 'rough and textured' describes a surface, while 'dark and gloomy' and 'bright and sunny' both clash with 'calming'. Hence option (a) is correct.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blanks. The (1)

____

conference room was (2)

____

with comfortable chairs, sleek tables and advanced multimedia systems for presentations, creating a professional (3)

____

for meetings.

A.(1) equipped ; (2) environment ; (3) spacious
B.(1) spacious ; (2) equipped ; (3) environment
C.(1) environment ; (2) equipped ; (3) spacious
D.(1) spacious ; (2) environment ; (3) equipped

Solution

Cloze - word order Blank (1) stands before the noun 'conference room', so it needs an adjective of size - 'spacious'. Blank (2) comes after 'was' and before 'with', so it needs the past participle of the pattern 'equipped with'. Blank (3) follows 'a professional' and must be a noun, and 'environment' is the only noun offered. The order spacious - equipped - environment appears only in option (b).

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. During the Renaissance, artists focused (76)

____

depicting the beauty of the human form and nature. They (77)

____

to capture realism, using techniques like chiaroscuro to create depth and shadow. This period saw a shift (78)

____

religious themes to a celebration of individualism and classical knowledge. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left an incredible mark, (79)

____

art (80)

____

centuries.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (76).

A.on
B.with
C.at
D.in

Solution

Preposition The verb 'focus' always takes the preposition 'on' before what the attention is fixed upon. The artists focused on depicting beauty, which follows the fixed pattern 'focus on + -ing form'. 'with', 'at' and 'in' are never used after 'focused' in this sense. Hence option (a) is correct.

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. During the Renaissance, artists focused (76)

____

depicting the beauty of the human form and nature. They (77)

____

to capture realism, using techniques like chiaroscuro to create depth and shadow. This period saw a shift (78)

____

religious themes to a celebration of individualism and classical knowledge. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left an incredible mark, (79)

____

art (80)

____

centuries.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (77).

A.had aimed
B.was aiming
C.aimed
D.were aiming

Solution

Tense in a narrative The passage narrates the Renaissance in the simple past - 'focused', 'saw', 'left'. The blank must keep that same tense, so the simple past 'aimed' is required: 'They aimed to capture realism'. 'was aiming' cannot follow the plural subject 'They'; 'had aimed' needs a later past action for the aiming to precede; and 'were aiming' breaks the simple-past narration. Hence option (c) is correct.

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. During the Renaissance, artists focused (76)

____

depicting the beauty of the human form and nature. They (77)

____

to capture realism, using techniques like chiaroscuro to create depth and shadow. This period saw a shift (78)

____

religious themes to a celebration of individualism and classical knowledge. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left an incredible mark, (79)

____

art (80)

____

centuries.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (78).

A.along
B.around
C.through
D.from

Solution

Preposition pair 'A shift from X to Y' is the fixed pattern for a change from one state to another. The sentence already carries 'to a celebration of individualism', so the blank needs its partner 'from'. Religious themes were the earlier state and individualism the new one, which is exactly what 'from … to' expresses. Hence option (d) is correct.

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. During the Renaissance, artists focused (76)

____

depicting the beauty of the human form and nature. They (77)

____

to capture realism, using techniques like chiaroscuro to create depth and shadow. This period saw a shift (78)

____

religious themes to a celebration of individualism and classical knowledge. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left an incredible mark, (79)

____

art (80)

____

centuries.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (79).

A.encourage
B.influencing
C.instill
D.motivate

Solution

Participle phrase The main clause already has its verb - 'left an incredible mark'. After the comma the blank begins a participle phrase showing the result, so the '-ing' form 'influencing' is needed. 'encourage', 'instill' and 'motivate' are bare verb forms and cannot be joined to the clause without a conjunction. Hence option (b) is correct.

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. During the Renaissance, artists focused (76)

____

depicting the beauty of the human form and nature. They (77)

____

to capture realism, using techniques like chiaroscuro to create depth and shadow. This period saw a shift (78)

____

religious themes to a celebration of individualism and classical knowledge. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left an incredible mark, (79)

____

art (80)

____

centuries.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (80).

A.by
B.after
C.on
D.for

Solution

Preposition of time 'For' is used with a length of time to show how long something has continued. 'centuries' is a stretch of time, so 'influencing art for centuries' is correct. 'by' and 'after' mark a point of time, and 'on' is used with dates and days, not with a duration. Hence option (d) is correct.

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