SSC GD Constable 12 February 2025 · Shift 2 · English — questions with answers

61

The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a spelling error. The crescent/moon looked / fantastically gorgeous / and aluring.

A.moon looked
B.and aluring.
C.fantastically gorgeous
D.The crescent

Solution

Spelling error The question asks for the segment with a wrong spelling, and the last segment prints 'aluring'. The correct spelling is 'alluring' (very attractive or tempting), with a double 'l' after the 'a'. 'The crescent', 'moon looked' and 'fantastically gorgeous' are all spelt correctly. Hence option (b) is correct.

62

Select the most appropriate idiom that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. I appreciate the detailed report, but let's talk about the important points and not waste time; what's the bottom line ?

A.cut to the chase
B.hone your skills
C.think of the unthinkable
D.bear the stamp

Solution

Idiom substitution The speaker praises the report but wants its essentials without the preamble, so the idiom must mean 'come straight to the main point'. 'Cut to the chase' means exactly that - to leave out the unimportant details and get to the point. 'Hone your skills' means to sharpen an ability, 'think of the unthinkable' means to consider what seems impossible, and 'bear the stamp' means to carry the clear mark of something. Hence option (a) is correct.

63

In the sentence, 'The company's profits dwindled due to poor management', what is a synonym of the word 'dwindled' ?

A.Fluctuated
B.Increased
C.Decreased
D.Stabilised

Solution

Synonym 'Dwindle' means to become steadily less in size, amount or strength. Profits that fell because of poor management therefore 'decreased'. 'Fluctuated' means moved up and down irregularly, 'increased' is the opposite, and 'stabilised' means became steady - none of them shows a steady fall. Hence option (c) is correct.

64

Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.

A.Competitor
B.Psychiatry
C.Occassional
D.Ammunition

Solution

Incorrect spelling 'Occasional' is written with a double 'c' but a single 's'; the option prints 'Occassional'. 'Competitor', 'Psychiatry' and 'Ammunition' are all spelt correctly. Hence option (c) is correct.

65

The given sentence is divided into four segments. Select the option that has the segment with an adverbial usage error. Andrew and Victoria politely / skipped down / the street / near the apartment.

A.Andrew and Victoria politely
B.skipped down
C.near the apartment
D.the street

Solution

Adverb usage An adverb of manner must suit the verb it modifies. 'Skipped' is a light, hopping movement, and no one can hop 'politely' - politeness is shown towards people, not in the manner of skipping. The segment needs a manner adverb such as 'quietly' or 'merrily': 'Andrew and Victoria quietly skipped down the street near the apartment'. In the other segments 'down' is the particle of the verb 'skipped' and 'near the apartment' is a phrase of place, so neither carries an adverbial error. Hence option (a) is correct.

66

In the sentence 'His ideas were radical, what is the most appropriate ANTONYM of the word 'radical' ?

A.Progressive
B.Innovative
C.Conservative
D.Extreme

Solution

Antonym 'Radical' describes ideas that call for complete, fundamental change. The opposite outlook is 'conservative' - favouring established ways and resisting change. 'Progressive', 'innovative' and 'extreme' all lean the same way as 'radical', so none of them is its antonym. Hence option (c) is correct.

67

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. The team worked hard to

____

the deadline for the project.

A.ask
B.correct
C.meet
D.twist

Solution

Verb collocation 'Meet a deadline' is the fixed collocation for finishing work by the date fixed for it. The team's hard work is aimed at exactly that. 'Ask', 'correct' and 'twist' do not go with 'deadline' in English. Hence option (c) is correct.

68

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined phrase in the given sentence. Despite the failure, the startup managed to keep their heads above water.

A.avoid trouble
B.give up
C.succeed completely
D.fail miserably

Solution

Idiomatic phrase 'Keep one's head above water' means to manage to survive a difficulty - to stay just clear of debt or trouble. The sentence admits a failure and still says the startup 'managed' something, so the phrase must mean bare survival, that is, to avoid trouble. 'Succeed completely' is far too strong after a failure, while 'give up' and 'fail miserably' contradict 'managed to'. Hence option (a) is correct.

69

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. I am going to get an email with more details, ____ I?

A.won't
B.don't
C.aren't
D.can't

Solution

Question tag A question tag reverses the polarity of the statement, and the statement 'I am going to get an email with more details' is positive, so the tag must be negative. The tag repeats the auxiliary of the statement, which here is 'am'; the accepted negative tag for 'I am' is 'aren't I'. 'Won't', 'don't' and 'can't' bring in a different auxiliary, which a tag is not allowed to do. Hence option (c) is correct.

70

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word. Extrusion

A.Welcome
B.Exile
C.Suspension
D.Banish

Solution

Antonym 'Extrusion' is the act of thrusting or forcing something out. The opposite act is receiving someone in warmly - 'welcome'. 'Exile' and 'banish' also mean driving out, so they repeat the idea instead of reversing it, and 'suspension' is only a temporary stopping. Hence option (a) is correct.

71

The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.

A.B
B.D
C.A
D.C

Solution

Error spotting Segment (D) reads 'who thoughtful celebrated their birthdays', where the word standing before the verb 'celebrated' must be an adverb. 'Thoughtful' is an adjective and can qualify only a noun; the verb needs 'thoughtfully' - 'who thoughtfully celebrated their birthdays'. Segments (A), (B) and (C) are sound: 'carefully' already modifies 'planned', 'ensuring' is a correct participle, and the singular 'was' agrees with 'everything'. The faulty segment is (D), which is given in option (b).

72

Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Loss of reflective sea ice has been link in more extreme weather patterns in Eurasia and North America.

A.has link to more
B.has linked to more
C.has been linked by more
D.has been linked to more

Solution

Passive voice The subject 'Loss of reflective sea ice' receives the action, so the verb must be passive: 'has been + past participle'. The past participle of 'link' is 'linked', and this verb takes the fixed preposition 'to' when one thing is connected with another. 'Has link to' has no participle at all, 'has linked to' is active, and 'linked by' would introduce whoever did the linking, not the thing it is linked with. Hence option (d) is correct.

73

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word. The company decided to withhold the bonuses until the project's completion to ensure everyone stayed motivated until the end.

A.Plant
B.Keep
C.Grant
D.Save

Solution

Antonym 'Withhold' means to hold something back and refuse to give it. Its opposite is 'grant' - to give or allow what is asked for, which is what the company would do at the project's completion. 'Keep' and 'save' also mean retaining, like 'withhold', and 'plant' has nothing to do with giving. Hence option (c) is correct.

74

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Esteemed

A.Prominent
B.Large
C.Happy
D.Peaceful

Solution

Synonym 'Esteemed' means held in high regard and greatly respected. Only 'prominent' carries that standing - a prominent person is well known and looked up to. 'Large' speaks of size, 'happy' of feeling and 'peaceful' of calm; none of them speaks of respect. Hence option (a) is correct.

75

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

____

displayed delicate strokes, bold colours and a captivating (2)

____

making it one of the most impressive pieces in the (3)

____

.

A.(1) composition; (2) painting; (3) gallery
B.(1) painting; (2) composition; (3) gallery
C.(1) gallery; (2) composition; (3) painting
D.(1) composition; (2) gallery; (3) painting

Solution

Fill in the blanks Blank (1) names the work that 'displayed delicate strokes, bold colours', and only a 'painting' can show brush strokes and colours. Blank (2) is one more quality of that same work, so it is its 'composition' - the way the elements are arranged. Blank (3) is the place that holds 'the most impressive pieces', which is a 'gallery'. Only option (b) gives the order painting - composition - gallery.

76

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child (76)

____

good parents and they are fed, looked after and loved, whatever they may do, it is improbable that they will ever again in life (77)

____

given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child. A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain or in the snow. Their first visit to the seaside is a marvelous adventure. However, a child has their pains; they are not free to do as they wish; they are continually being told not to do things or are being (78)

____

. Their life is therefore not perfectly happy. When the young individual starts to earn their own living, they become free from the discipline of school and parents, but at the same time they are forced to accept responsibilities. They can no longer expect others to pay for food, clothes and room, but they have to work if they want to live (79)

____

. If they spend most of their time playing about in the way that they used to as a child, they will go hungry. Moreover, if they break the laws of society just as they used to break the laws of their parents, they may go to prison. However, by working, keeping out of (80)

____

and having good health, they can have the great happiness of seeing themselves make steady progress in their job and of building up for themselves their own position in society.

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

A.will
B.has
C.have
D.are

Solution

Cloze test The clause is 'If a child (76) good parents', so a present-tense verb meaning 'possesses' is needed. 'A child' is a third person singular subject, and its present-tense form of 'have' is 'has'. 'Have' and 'are' are plural forms, and 'will' would leave the clause with no main verb at all. Hence option (b) is correct.

77

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child (76)

____

good parents and they are fed, looked after and loved, whatever they may do, it is improbable that they will ever again in life (77)

____

given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child. A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain or in the snow. Their first visit to the seaside is a marvelous adventure. However, a child has their pains; they are not free to do as they wish; they are continually being told not to do things or are being (78)

____

. Their life is therefore not perfectly happy. When the young individual starts to earn their own living, they become free from the discipline of school and parents, but at the same time they are forced to accept responsibilities. They can no longer expect others to pay for food, clothes and room, but they have to work if they want to live (79)

____

. If they spend most of their time playing about in the way that they used to as a child, they will go hungry. Moreover, if they break the laws of society just as they used to break the laws of their parents, they may go to prison. However, by working, keeping out of (80)

____

and having good health, they can have the great happiness of seeing themselves make steady progress in their job and of building up for themselves their own position in society.

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

A.are
B.be
C.is
D.has

Solution

Cloze test The blank falls between 'they will ever again in life' and 'given', so the pattern is 'will + ___ + given'. The future passive is formed as 'will be + past participle', which makes 'will be given' the only possible fit. A modal like 'will' is always followed by the bare infinitive, so the finite forms 'are', 'is' and 'has' cannot stand there. Hence option (b) is correct.

78

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child (76)

____

good parents and they are fed, looked after and loved, whatever they may do, it is improbable that they will ever again in life (77)

____

given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child. A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain or in the snow. Their first visit to the seaside is a marvelous adventure. However, a child has their pains; they are not free to do as they wish; they are continually being told not to do things or are being (78)

____

. Their life is therefore not perfectly happy. When the young individual starts to earn their own living, they become free from the discipline of school and parents, but at the same time they are forced to accept responsibilities. They can no longer expect others to pay for food, clothes and room, but they have to work if they want to live (79)

____

. If they spend most of their time playing about in the way that they used to as a child, they will go hungry. Moreover, if they break the laws of society just as they used to break the laws of their parents, they may go to prison. However, by working, keeping out of (80)

____

and having good health, they can have the great happiness of seeing themselves make steady progress in their job and of building up for themselves their own position in society.

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

A.rewarded
B.punished
C.displayed
D.granted

Solution

Cloze test The sentence is listing a child's pains: 'they are continually being told not to do things or are being (78)'. 'Or' joins a second unpleasant experience to being scolded, so the blank must name a penalty - 'punished'. 'Rewarded' and 'granted' are pleasant and would contradict 'pains', and 'displayed' cannot be said of a child here. Hence option (b) is correct.

79

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child (76)

____

good parents and they are fed, looked after and loved, whatever they may do, it is improbable that they will ever again in life (77)

____

given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child. A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain or in the snow. Their first visit to the seaside is a marvelous adventure. However, a child has their pains; they are not free to do as they wish; they are continually being told not to do things or are being (78)

____

. Their life is therefore not perfectly happy. When the young individual starts to earn their own living, they become free from the discipline of school and parents, but at the same time they are forced to accept responsibilities. They can no longer expect others to pay for food, clothes and room, but they have to work if they want to live (79)

____

. If they spend most of their time playing about in the way that they used to as a child, they will go hungry. Moreover, if they break the laws of society just as they used to break the laws of their parents, they may go to prison. However, by working, keeping out of (80)

____

and having good health, they can have the great happiness of seeing themselves make steady progress in their job and of building up for themselves their own position in society.

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

A.granting
B.contrasting
C.comfortably
D.revolutionary

Solution

Cloze test The blank completes 'they have to work if they want to live (79)', so it must be an adverb telling how they live. 'Comfortably' is the only adverb offered, and the passage confirms the sense - without work 'they will go hungry'. 'Granting' and 'contrasting' are participles and 'revolutionary' is an adjective, so none of them can modify the verb 'live'. Hence option (c) is correct.

80

Directions (Qs. 76-80): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child (76)

____

good parents and they are fed, looked after and loved, whatever they may do, it is improbable that they will ever again in life (77)

____

given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child. A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain or in the snow. Their first visit to the seaside is a marvelous adventure. However, a child has their pains; they are not free to do as they wish; they are continually being told not to do things or are being (78)

____

. Their life is therefore not perfectly happy. When the young individual starts to earn their own living, they become free from the discipline of school and parents, but at the same time they are forced to accept responsibilities. They can no longer expect others to pay for food, clothes and room, but they have to work if they want to live (79)

____

. If they spend most of their time playing about in the way that they used to as a child, they will go hungry. Moreover, if they break the laws of society just as they used to break the laws of their parents, they may go to prison. However, by working, keeping out of (80)

____

and having good health, they can have the great happiness of seeing themselves make steady progress in their job and of building up for themselves their own position in society.

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

A.troubles
B.rewards
C.comforts
D.blessings

Solution

Cloze test The blank stands in 'by working, keeping out of (80) and having good health' - three habits that together build a steady life. 'Keep out of trouble' is the fixed expression for staying clear of difficulty, and the previous sentence has just warned that those who break the laws of society 'may go to prison'. 'Rewards', 'comforts' and 'blessings' all name desirable things, and keeping out of them would work against the happiness the sentence promises. Hence option (a) is correct.