SSC CGL (Prelims) English questions with solutions

Q1. Select the incorrectly spelt word.

1. Possession
2. Unfourseen
3. Referred
4. Weather

Answer: Unfourseen

The word 'Unfourseen' is misspelt. The correct spelling is 'unforeseen'. The other options are correctly spelt.

Q2. Select the most appropriate antonym to replace the word in brackets. The author's writing was so captivating that readers were [enthralled], while the other book left them completely uninterested.

1. interested
2. agreement
3. bored
4. intrigued

Answer: bored

"Enthralled" means fascinated or captivated. The opposite is "bored," which means uninterested or not engaged. The other options are either similar in meaning or unrelated.

Q3. Select the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word in the given sentence. This library building is very high and has 25 floors.

1. Low
2. Sturdy
3. Hale
4. Elevated

Answer: Low

The word "high" refers to height. Its antonym is "low." The other options do not express the opposite of height.

Q4. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Ranveer never has the habit of making a beeline for his academic activities.

1. behaving abnormally
2. selecting inconsiderately
3. going straight and quick
4. immediately responding to things

Answer: going straight and quick

The idiom "make a beeline for" means to go directly and quickly toward someone or something. Among the options, "going straight and quick" best matches this meaning. The other options do not fit the idiom.

Q5. Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice. Rohit did not slap Kunal.

1. Kunal was not being slapped by Rohit.
2. Kunal had not been slapped by Rohit.
3. Kunal was not slapped by Rohit.
4. Kunal has not been slapped by Rohit.

Answer: Kunal was not slapped by Rohit.

The active sentence is in simple past negative: "did not slap." In passive voice, the object "Kunal" becomes the subject and the verb changes to "was not slapped." This preserves the tense and meaning correctly.

Q6. Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. The company understood that these small protests of employees regarding low wages were just the tip of the iceberg.

1. A small, noticeable part of a problem, the total size of which is non-existent
2. A small, noticeable part of a problem, the total size of which is solvable
3. A large part of a problem which is really noticeable
4. A small, noticeable part of a problem, the total size of which is really much greater

Answer: A small, noticeable part of a problem, the total size of which is really much greater

"The tip of the iceberg" means a small visible part of a much larger problem. The protests are only the surface indication of deeper issues. So the correct meaning is that the total size is much greater than what is seen.

Q7. Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the following sentence. Sejal visits the nearby temple off and on.

1. Periodically
2. Constantly
3. Continuously
4. Regularly

Answer: Periodically

The idiom “off and on” means occasionally or at intervals. Among the options, “periodically” is the closest meaning.

Q8. Parts of a sentence are given below in jumbled order. Select the option that arranges the parts in the correct sequence to form a meaningful sentence. (P) unlock their potential (Q) empowers individuals to (O) and shape their future (R) the power of education

1. QROP
2. OPRQ
3. RQPO
4. RPOQ

Answer: RQPO

“The power of education” is the natural opening subject, followed by the verb phrase “empowers individuals to.” Then comes “unlock their potential” and finally “and shape their future.” This gives a complete and meaningful sentence.

Q9. The following sentence has been divided into four segments. Identify the segment that contains an error. Mr. Suman / asked me / to pack / my luggages.

1. asked me
2. my luggages.
3. to pack
4. Mr. Suman

Answer: my luggages.

The error is in “my luggages” because “luggage” is an uncountable noun and is not normally used in the plural form. The correct phrase is “my luggage.”

Q10. Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words. A place to park aeroplanes

1. Hanger
2. Depot
3. Shed
4. Hangar

Answer: Hangar

A building used for parking or storing aeroplanes is called a hangar. “Hanger” is a different word and does not mean an aircraft parking place.

Q11. Select the option that expresses the following sentence in passive voice. The baker baked the cake.

1. The cake was baked by the baker
2. The cake had been baked by the baker.
3. The baker has been baking the cake.
4. The cake has been baked by the baker.

Answer: The cake was baked by the baker

The sentence is in simple past tense: “baked.” In passive voice, the object “the cake” becomes the subject and takes “was baked.”

Q12. Select the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word in the following sentence. The teammates made several jibes at the opponent team members during the interview.

1. Consolation
2. Mockery
3. Inspiration
4. Contradict

Answer: Contradict

“Jibes” means mocking or taunting remarks. The closest opposite among the options is “contradict,” which means to oppose or deny, unlike mockery or consolation.

Q13. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Athens was suffering under the rule of a powerful small group that had no concern for the people's welfare.

1. a democracy
2. an oligarchy
3. a monarchy
4. a missionary

Answer: an oligarchy

A powerful small group ruling a state is called an oligarchy. The sentence describes rule by a few people with power and no concern for public welfare.

Q14. Select the correct spelling to fill in the blank. I often fail to remember someone's name ________.

1. accurately
2. accuratially
3. acusatively

Answer: accurately

The sentence needs an adverb meaning "in a correct manner." "Accurately" is the correct spelling and fits the meaning. The other options are misspelled or unrelated.

Q15. Select the most appropriate option that can rectify the incorrectly spelt word in the following sentence. I doubt that these lifts can accommodate 100 people.

1. acommodate
2. accommodatte
3. accomodate
4. accommodate

Answer: accommodate

The correct spelling is "accommodate." It is the standard form of the verb meaning to provide space or make suitable. The other options are misspellings.

Q16. Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Dissipate

1. Glorious
2. Malicious
3. Haste
4. Spend

Answer: Spend

"Dissipate" can mean to scatter, waste, or spend carelessly. Among the options, "Spend" is the closest synonym. The other choices do not match the meaning.

Q17. Select the sentence that is expressed in passive voice.

1. I prefer tea to coffee.
2. Children are participating in sand-art competition.
3. She sketches beautifully.
4. The consignment was delivered yesterday.

Answer: The consignment was delivered yesterday.

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. "The consignment was delivered yesterday" uses "was delivered," which is passive. The other sentences are in active voice.

Q18. Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. This year's budget is unlikely to pass as law since the president's proposed budgets typically face a jaundiced eye, but this one has gotten even more scepticism.

1. Jealousy
2. Confidence
3. Resentment
4. Good will

Answer: Resentment

"A jaundiced eye" means a prejudiced, cynical, or hostile attitude. Among the given options, "Resentment" is the closest match to that negative feeling. The other options do not convey suspicion or bias.

Q19. Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Dodge

1. Avoid
2. Force
3. Boarding
4. Amount

Answer: Avoid

"Dodge" means to avoid or evade. "Avoid" is the closest synonym among the options. The other choices are unrelated.

Q20. Select the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word in the given sentence. Her behaviour was so ostentatious that it attracted the attention of everyone in the room.

1. Attractive
2. Restrained
3. Gentle
4. Repulsive

Answer: Restrained

"Ostentatious" means showy or designed to attract attention. Its antonym is "restrained," which means controlled, modest, or not excessive. The other options do not directly oppose the meaning.

Q21. Select the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word. Her remarks were relevant to the discussion.

1. Inappropriate
2. Suitable
3. Introductory
4. Conclusive

Answer: Inappropriate

"Relevant" means related or applicable to the topic. Its antonym is "inappropriate," which means not suitable or not relevant. The other options are not opposites.

Q22. Select the option with the correct use of future tense.

1. By next December, I will have been completed six years in this home.
2. By next December, I will be completed six years in this home.
3. By next December, I will have complete six years in this home.
4. By next December, I will have completed six years in this home.

Answer: By next December, I will have completed six years in this home.

The phrase 'by next December' indicates a future deadline before which the action will be completed. The future perfect tense is used for such completed actions in the future.

Q23. Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined words in the given sentence. Ranjith failed in all his exams as he had been addicted to social media.

1. as he had been addicted at
2. as he had been addicted on
3. as he had been addicted in
4. as he had been addicted to

Answer: as he had been addicted to

'Addicted' is followed by the preposition 'to' when referring to a habit or dependency. So the corrected phrase is 'addicted to social media'.

Q24. Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Lethargic.

1. Active
2. Languid
3. Moderate
4. Angry

Answer: Active

'Lethargic' means sluggish, inactive, or lacking energy. Its antonym is 'Active', which means energetic and full of movement.

Q25. Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words: The evening time when the sun has just set and it is almost dark.

1. Dusk
2. Night
3. Dawn
4. Day break

Answer: Dusk

'Dusk' means the time in the evening when the sun has just set and it is nearly dark. The other options refer to different times of day.

Q26. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. The cynical investors believed in every word the analysts said.

1. credulous
2. distrustful
3. persuasive
4. credible

Answer: credulous

'Credulous' means willing to believe things too easily, which matches the idea of believing every word. The other options do not fit this meaning.

Q27. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary ________ of average accomplishment in important areas of human development.

1. regiment
2. assessment
3. involvement
4. collect

Answer: assessment

HDI is a composite measure used to assess average achievement in key dimensions of human development. Among the options, 'assessment' best matches the meaning.

Q28. The HDI includes living a long and healthy life, being informed and ________ a good quality of living.

1. segregating
2. exaggerating
3. including
4. manifesting

Answer: including

The sentence refers to the dimensions of HDI, which include living a long and healthy life, being informed, and having a decent standard of living. 'Including' is the only option that fits the intended meaning in this context.

Q29. The HDI is the geometric mean of the normalised ________ for each dimension.

1. features
2. contents
3. indices
4. glimpses

Answer: indices

HDI is calculated using the geometric mean of normalized indices for its dimensions. 'Indices' is the correct term because it refers to the dimension-wise measures used in the calculation.

Q30. The health component is ________ by life expectancy at birth.

1. levitated
2. escaped
3. triggered
4. measured

Answer: measured

The health component in development indices is assessed using life expectancy at birth. Among the options, only "measured" fits both the meaning and grammar of the sentence.