SSC CGL (Prelims) General: English Language and Comprehension questions with solutions

Q1. Identify the sentence that uses a homonym of the highlighted word in: "The researcher cited a bailey in Norman defensive design."

1. Bailey presented the findings on Norman fortifications at the seminar.
2. The outer bailey enclosed the motte and was guarded by watchtowers.
3. The soldiers fell back into the bailey when the main gate gave way.
4. A wooden palisade was put up around the bailey for added protection.

Answer: Bailey presented the findings on Norman fortifications at the seminar.

"Bailey" in the given sentence refers to a castle enclosure, but in the correct option it is used as a surname. That makes it a homonym with a different meaning and context.

Q2. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error: The fact that citizens have no remedy available (1)/ when environmental breaches are ignored at the ministerial level (2)/ highlight a broader decline in (3)/ constitutional accountability. (4)

1. Segment (1)
2. Segment (2)
3. Segment (3)
4. Segment (4)

Answer: Segment (3)

The subject is 'The fact', which is singular. Therefore the verb should be 'highlights' instead of 'highlight'. The error is in segment (3).

Q3. Reorder the following sentences into a coherent paragraph: 1. It is a systematic and impartial investigation conducted to discover new facts or to confirm existing knowledge. 2. Research is the foundation of progress in both academia and science. 3. It may be theoretical, aimed at deepening understanding, or applied, aimed at solving a practical problem. 4. The findings are then documented and assessed through peer review to ensure their reliability and authenticity.

1. 2, 1, 3, 4
2. 1, 2, 4, 3
3. 4, 3, 2, 1
4. 3, 4, 1, 2

Answer: 2, 1, 3, 4

Sentence 2 introduces the topic of research. Sentence 1 defines it, sentence 3 explains its types, and sentence 4 gives the concluding step of documentation and peer review. So the logical order is 2, 1, 3, 4.

Q4. Identify the correctly spelled name of an electron-transport protein.

1. Cytocrhome
2. Cytocrom
3. Cytochrome
4. Cytohrom

Answer: Cytochrome

Cytochrome is the correct spelling of the electron-transport protein. The other options are misspellings.

Q5. Identify the segment that contains an error: The authority's decision to delay the rollout (1)/ was linked partly to pressure from the industry (2)/ and partly because of legal uncertainty (3)/ related to the latest amendments. (4)

1. Part (1)
2. Part (2)
3. Part (3)
4. Part (4)

Answer: Part (3)

The error is in part (3) because the structure should be parallel: "partly due to pressure... and partly due to legal uncertainty" or similar. The phrase "partly because of" breaks the parallel construction.

Q6. Choose the correctly spelled name of a microchip patterning technique.

1. Nanoimprint lithography
2. Nanoimprient lithography
3. Nanoimprint lithographie
4. Nanoimprnt lithography

Answer: Nanoimprint lithography

The correct scientific term is 'Nanoimprint lithography'. The other options contain spelling errors in either 'imprint' or 'lithography'.

Q7. Fill in the blank with the most suitable phrasal verb: The reporter refused to ______ her sources even under heavy questioning.

1. hand out
2. turn over
3. give away
4. back down

Answer: give away

'Give away' means to reveal or disclose something, which fits the context of sources being kept confidential. The other options do not match this meaning.

Q8. Arrange the four sentences into a logical paragraph: 1. This mechanism, central to evolution, ensures that the individuals best suited to their surroundings survive to reproduce. 2. Over vast stretches of time, the diversity of life emerges through slow, continuous change. 3. As a result, beneficial traits gradually become more common in the population. 4. The process starts with inherited differences, where some individuals hold advantages over others.

1. 4, 2, 3, 1
2. 2, 4, 1, 3
3. 2, 1, 4, 3
4. 1, 4, 3, 2

Answer: 2, 4, 1, 3

Sentence 2 gives the broad introduction about evolution over time. Sentence 4 introduces inherited differences, sentence 1 explains the selection mechanism, and sentence 3 gives the result of that mechanism. So the logical order is 2, 4, 1, 3.