SSC CGL · 4,800 questions

SSC CGL 2025 PYQs

Real previous year questions, subject-wise. Try the question, then open the answer and the explanation in Hindi & English – free, no login.

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1,200 questions in English Comprehension.

Q201.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence.
If I was a bird, I would fly to distant lands.
  1. Ais
  2. Bwere
  3. Cam
  4. Dbeen
Show answer

Concept: Unreal/imaginary 'if' clauses use 'were' with every subject.

  1. Being a bird is impossible ⇒ hypothetical condition.
  2. Pattern: If + subject + were …, subject + would + V1.
  3. So the clause becomes If I were a bird…

Trick: See 'would' in the main clause + an impossible wish ⇒ fill 'were' (If I were you / As if he were …).

Answer: (B) were

अवधारणा: काल्पनिक 'if' वाक्यों में हर subject के साथ 'were' आता है।

हल:

  1. पक्षी बनना असंभव है ⇒ काल्पनिक शर्त।
  2. ढाँचा: If + subject + were …, subject + would + V1.
  3. सही रूप: If I were a bird…

ट्रिक: Main clause में 'would' और असंभव इच्छा दिखे ⇒ 'were' (If I were you, As if he were …)।

उत्तर: (B) were

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSubjunctive mood – If I wereSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q202.
Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence.
She told her friend that she had visited that place.
  1. AShe told her friend, "I have visited this place."
  2. BShe said to her friend, "I visit this place."
  3. CShe told her friend, "I had visited that place."
  4. DShe said to her friend, "She visited that place."
Show answer

Concept: Undo the changes of reported speech.

  1. Past perfect 'had visited' goes back to present perfect 'have visited'.
  2. 'she' (speaker) → 'I'; 'that place' → 'this place'.
  3. Direct: She told her friend, "I have visited this place."

Trick: In direct speech, the quote uses the speaker's own words – look for 'I' and 'this'; that removes (C) and (D) at once.

Answer: (A) She told her friend, "I have visited this place."

अवधारणा: Reported speech के बदलाव उल्टे करें।

हल:

  1. Past perfect 'had visited' → present perfect 'have visited'.
  2. 'she' (वक्ता) → 'I'; 'that place' → 'this place'.
  3. Direct: She told her friend, "I have visited this place."

ट्रिक: Direct speech में वक्ता के अपने शब्द – 'I' और 'this' खोजें; (C), (D) तुरंत बाहर।

उत्तर: (A) She told her friend, "I have visited this place."

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionNarration – indirect to directSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q203.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: ALACRITY
  1. AEagerness
  2. BApathy
  3. CPromptness
  4. DGlee
Show answer

Concept: Alacrity = quick, cheerful willingness.

  1. Opposite needed: lack of interest/energy = Apathy.
  2. Eagerness, Promptness, Glee are close in meaning (synonym-type), not opposites.

Trick: Three options share one 'mood' (eager, prompt, glad) – the odd one with the opposite mood is the antonym.

Answer: (B) Apathy

अवधारणा: Alacrity = तत्परता, उत्साहपूर्ण तैयारी।

हल:

  1. विलोम चाहिए: उदासीनता = Apathy.
  2. Eagerness, Promptness, Glee लगभग समानार्थी हैं।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्प एक ही भाव (उत्साह) के हों तो अलग भाव वाला ही विलोम है।

उत्तर: (B) Apathy

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionAntonym – AlacritySSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q204.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom:
To throw dust in one's eyes
  1. ATo clean someone's eyes with dust
  2. BTo ignore someone’s presence
  3. CTo confuse or mislead someone deliberately
  4. DTo cause minor irritation
Show answer

Concept: Idioms carry a figurative meaning, not the literal one.

  1. To throw dust in someone's eyes = to deceive or mislead them on purpose.
  2. Example: The thief threw dust in the guard's eyes by posing as a delivery man.

Yaad rakhein: Hindi equivalent: 'आँखों में धूल झोंकना'. Similar idiom: 'pull the wool over someone's eyes'.

Answer: (C) To confuse or mislead someone deliberately

अवधारणा: मुहावरे का अर्थ लाक्षणिक होता है, शाब्दिक नहीं।

हल:

  1. To throw dust in someone's eyes = जानबूझकर धोखा देना/भ्रमित करना।
  2. (A) शाब्दिक अर्थ है – गलत।

याद रखें: हिंदी में ठीक यही मुहावरा है: 'आँखों में धूल झोंकना'। समान: 'pull the wool over someone's eyes'।

उत्तर: (C) To confuse or mislead someone deliberately

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – throw dust in one's eyesSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q205.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
A person who chooses to live a simple life, often for religious or spiritual reasons, abstaining from worldly pleasures.
  1. AHedonist
  2. BSybarite
  3. CAscetic
  4. DLibertine
Show answer

Concept: Match the definition word by word.

  1. Ascetic = one who lives simply and gives up worldly pleasures, usually for spiritual reasons.
  2. Hedonist / Sybarite = pleasure-lover; Libertine = one without moral restraint – all opposite in spirit.

Yaad rakhein: Pleasure-seeker words (hedonist, sybarite, epicure) vs self-denial words (ascetic, anchorite, hermit) often appear as a pair in SSC.

Answer: (C) Ascetic

अवधारणा: परिभाषा को शब्द से मिलाएँ।

हल:

  1. Ascetic = तपस्वी, जो आध्यात्मिक कारण से सांसारिक सुख त्याग दे।
  2. Hedonist / Sybarite = भोगविलासी; Libertine = नैतिक बंधन न मानने वाला।

याद रखें: भोग वाले शब्द (hedonist, sybarite, epicure) बनाम त्याग वाले शब्द (ascetic, anchorite, hermit) – SSC में अक्सर साथ आते हैं।

उत्तर: (C) Ascetic

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – AsceticSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q206.
Select the correct spelling to fill in the blank.
The country witnessed an ____ rise in renewable energy investments over the past decade.
  1. Aunprecidented
  2. Bunprecedented
  3. Cunpresidented
  4. Dunpressedented
Show answer

Concept: Build the word from its root.

  1. un + precedent + ed = unprecedented (never happened before).
  2. 'precedent' has -ce- (not -ci-, not -si-, not -sse-).

Trick: Think 'precede' (to come before) – the 'pre-ce-de' part stays intact: un-pre-ce-dent-ed.

Answer: (B) unprecedented

अवधारणा: शब्द को उसके मूल से बनाएँ।

हल:

  1. un + precedent + ed = unprecedented (अभूतपूर्व)।
  2. 'precedent' में -ce- है (-ci-, -si-, -sse- नहीं)।

ट्रिक: 'precede' (पहले आना) याद रखें – 'pre-ce-de' भाग वैसा ही रहता है।

उत्तर: (B) unprecedented

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – UnprecedentedSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q207.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: SERENE
  1. ATurbulent
  2. BTranquil
  3. CChaotic
  4. DDisturbed
Show answer

Concept: Serene = calm, peaceful.

  1. Tranquil = calm and quiet ⇒ same meaning.
  2. Turbulent, Chaotic, Disturbed all mean restless – opposites.

Trick: When three options are similar to each other, the remaining one is usually the synonym (or antonym) asked.

Answer: (B) Tranquil

अवधारणा: Serene = शांत, निर्मल।

हल:

  1. Tranquil = शांत ⇒ समान अर्थ।
  2. Turbulent, Chaotic, Disturbed = अशांत – विलोम।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्प आपस में मिलते-जुलते हों तो बचा हुआ एक ही उत्तर होता है।

उत्तर: (B) Tranquil

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSynonym – SereneSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q208.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate collocation:
The CEO ____ a speech at the annual conference.
  1. Agave
  2. Bmade
  3. Cspoke
  4. Ddelivered
Show answer

Concept: Some nouns pair with fixed verbs.

  1. Formal pairing: deliver a speech / lecture / verdict.
  2. 'Spoke' needs 'spoke at/about'; 'made' and 'gave' are informal and less precise here.

Yaad rakhein: Other fixed pairs: pay attention, make a decision, take a step, give consent.

Answer: (D) delivered

अवधारणा: कुछ संज्ञाएँ निश्चित क्रियाओं के साथ आती हैं।

हल:

  1. औपचारिक जोड़ी: deliver a speech / lecture / verdict.
  2. 'Spoke' को 'at/about' चाहिए; 'made', 'gave' यहाँ अनौपचारिक हैं।

याद रखें: अन्य जोड़ियाँ: pay attention, make a decision, take a step, give consent.

उत्तर: (D) delivered

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionCollocation – deliver a speechSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q209.
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.
She apologised (1)/ of the delay and (2)/ promised to submit (3)/ the report soon. (4)
  1. A(4)
  2. B(1)
  3. C(3)
  4. D(2)
Show answer

Concept: apologise to a person for a fault.

  1. 'apologised of the delay' is wrong.
  2. Correct: She apologised for the delay and promised… – error in part (2).

Trick: Fixed pairs: apologise for, blame for, thank for, accuse of, afraid of.

Answer: (D) (2)

अवधारणा: apologise to व्यक्ति for गलती।

हल:

  1. 'apologised of the delay' गलत है।
  2. सही: She apologised for the delay… – त्रुटि भाग (2) में।

ट्रिक: जोड़ियाँ: apologise for, blame for, thank for, accuse of, afraid of.

उत्तर: (D) (2)

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionError spotting – preposition after apologiseSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q210.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The ancient city, ____ ruins lay buried beneath centuries of sand, was once a thriving metropolis.
  1. Awhat
  2. Bwhose
  3. Cthat
  4. Dits
Show answer

Concept: A possessive relative pronoun links the noun to what belongs to it.

  1. 'ruins' belong to 'the city' ⇒ possessive needed.
  2. 'whose' works for things too: The ancient city, whose ruins lay buried…
  3. 'its' cannot join two clauses; 'that/what' show no possession.

Trick: Blank followed directly by a noun (ruins) in a relative clause ⇒ 'whose'.

Answer: (B) whose

अवधारणा: स्वामित्व दिखाने के लिए possessive relative pronoun चाहिए।

हल:

  1. 'ruins' शहर के हैं ⇒ possessive चाहिए।
  2. 'whose' निर्जीव के लिए भी चलता है: The ancient city, whose ruins lay buried…
  3. 'its' दो clauses नहीं जोड़ता; 'that/what' स्वामित्व नहीं दिखाते।

ट्रिक: Relative clause में blank के ठीक बाद संज्ञा (ruins) हो ⇒ 'whose'।

उत्तर: (B) whose

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionRelative pronoun – whoseSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q211.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1. These structures modify natural water flow and impact aquatic habitats.
2. Rivers are vital arteries for ecosystems and human civilizations.
3. However, dam construction presents significant environmental challenges.
4. They provide fresh water, transport nutrients and support diverse biodiversity.
  1. A3-1-2-4
  2. B2-4-3-1
  3. C2-1-4-3
  4. D4-2-3-1
Show answer

Concept: General statement → details → contrast → effect.

  1. 2 introduces rivers (topic sentence).
  2. 4 'They provide…' adds their benefits (They = rivers).
  3. 3 'However…' turns to dams; 1 'These structures…' refers back to dams.

Trick: Pronoun links: 'They' needs a plural noun before it (rivers), 'These structures' needs 'dam construction' before it ⇒ 2-4-3-1.

Answer: (B) 2-4-3-1

अवधारणा: सामान्य कथन → विवरण → विरोध → प्रभाव।

हल:

  1. 2 नदियों का परिचय देता है (शुरुआती वाक्य)।
  2. 4 'They provide…' – लाभ (They = rivers)।
  3. 3 'However…' बाँधों की बात; 1 'These structures…' बाँधों का प्रभाव।

ट्रिक: सर्वनाम कड़ी: 'They' से पहले rivers, 'These structures' से पहले dam ⇒ 2-4-3-1.

उत्तर: (B) 2-4-3-1

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSentence rearrangement – rivers and damsSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q212.
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.
Hardly had the preliminary review been completed (1)/ when the auditors noticed (2)/ that several financial projections (3)/ was calculated using outdated parameters. (4)
  1. A(1)
  2. B(2)
  3. C(3)
  4. D(4)
Show answer

Concept: A plural subject takes a plural verb.

  1. Subject of the last clause: 'several financial projections' (plural).
  2. 'was calculated' → 'were calculated' – error in part (4).
  3. Part (1) 'Hardly had … when' is correctly used.

Trick: Word 'several' always signals plural – check the verb right after it.

Answer: (D) (4)

अवधारणा: बहुवचन subject के साथ बहुवचन क्रिया।

हल:

  1. अंतिम clause का subject: 'several financial projections' (बहुवचन)।
  2. 'was calculated' → 'were calculated' – त्रुटि भाग (4) में।
  3. भाग (1) में 'Hardly had … when' सही है।

ट्रिक: 'several' हमेशा बहुवचन बताता है – उसके बाद की क्रिया जाँचें।

उत्तर: (D) (4)

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionError spotting – subject–verb agreementSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q213.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice.
Nobody has raised concerns about the accuracy of the new data.
  1. AConcerns have not been raised about the accuracy of the new data.
  2. BConcerns were not being raised about the accuracy of the new data.
  3. CConcerns are not raised about the accuracy of the new data.
  4. DConcerns must not be raised about the accuracy of the new data.
Show answer

Concept: Nobody + affirmative verb ⇒ negative passive, agent dropped.

  1. Tense: 'has raised' = present perfect ⇒ has/have + been + V3.
  2. Object 'concerns' is plural ⇒ Concerns have not been raised about…

Trick: Keep the tense first: present perfect must show 'have been' – only (A) has it.

Answer: (A) Concerns have not been raised about the accuracy of the new data.

अवधारणा: Nobody + सकारात्मक क्रिया ⇒ नकारात्मक passive, कर्ता हटाएँ।

हल:

  1. काल: 'has raised' = present perfect ⇒ has/have + been + V3.
  2. 'concerns' बहुवचन ⇒ Concerns have not been raised about…

ट्रिक: पहले काल मिलाएँ: present perfect में 'have been' – केवल (A) में।

उत्तर: (A) Concerns have not been raised about the accuracy of the new data.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionVoice – present perfect with 'nobody'SSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q214.
Select the option which contains the most appropriate HOMONYM of the word given in bold/underline.
The botanist noted that the plant would yield more sap in warmer conditions.
  1. AThe miners expected the new site to yield a rich vein of ore.
  2. BHeavy traffic forced the drivers to yield at the junction.
  3. CThe negotiations will yield results by the end of the month.
  4. DFarmers hope the land will yield more wheat this season.
Show answer

Concept: A homonym is the same word with a different meaning.

  1. Given sentence: yield = produce (sap).
  2. (A) ore, (C) results, (D) wheat – all 'produce'.
  3. (B) yield at the junction = give way to traffic ⇒ different meaning.

Trick: Three options share the given sense – the one odd sense is the homonym.

Answer: (B) Heavy traffic forced the drivers to yield at the junction.

अवधारणा: Homonym = वही शब्द, अलग अर्थ।

हल:

  1. दिए वाक्य में yield = उत्पन्न करना (sap)।
  2. (A), (C), (D) में भी 'उत्पन्न करना/देना' अर्थ।
  3. (B) yield at the junction = रास्ता देना ⇒ अलग अर्थ।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्प समान अर्थ के हों तो अलग अर्थ वाला ही homonym।

उत्तर: (B) Heavy traffic forced the drivers to yield at the junction.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionHomonym – yieldSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q215.
Select the correct spelling of a word meaning 'inconsistent or logically incompatible'.
  1. AIncongruous
  2. BIncongroous
  3. CIncongerous
  4. DIncongruos
Show answer

Concept: in + congruous (agreeing) = incongruous (not fitting).

  1. Ending is -uous: con-gru-ous.
  2. Wrong: -groous (double o), -gerous (extra e), -gruos (missing u).

Trick: Rhymes with 'continuous', 'ambiguous' – all end in -uous.

Answer: (A) Incongruous

अवधारणा: in + congruous (मेल खाने वाला) = incongruous (असंगत)।

हल:

  1. अंत -uous: con-gru-ous.
  2. गलत रूप: -groous, -gerous, -gruos.

ट्रिक: 'continuous', 'ambiguous' की तरह -uous पर खत्म।

उत्तर: (A) Incongruous

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – IncongruousSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q216.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words:
An organism that is genetically identical to another organism.
  1. ABlueprint
  2. BPrototype
  3. CSchema
  4. DClone
Show answer

Concept: Genetically identical copy = clone.

  1. A clone has the same DNA as its parent organism.
  2. Blueprint, prototype, schema = designs or models, not living organisms.

Yaad rakhein: Dolly the sheep (1996, Scotland) was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

Answer: (D) Clone

अवधारणा: आनुवंशिक रूप से एकसमान प्रति = clone.

हल:

  1. Clone का DNA मूल जीव जैसा ही होता है।
  2. Blueprint, prototype, schema = नक्शा/मॉडल, जीव नहीं।

याद रखें: डॉली भेड़ (1996, स्कॉटलैंड) वयस्क कोशिका से बना पहला क्लोन स्तनधारी।

उत्तर: (D) Clone

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – CloneSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q217.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice.
The audience understood that the main act might be delayed because of technical issues.
  1. ATechnical issues delayed the main act, and the audience understood it.
  2. BThe main act may be delayed, and the audience understood it due to technical issues.
  3. CIt was understood by the audience that the main act might be delayed because of technical issues.
  4. DThe audience was understanding that the main act might be delayed due to technical issues.
Show answer

Concept: When the object is a that-clause, start the passive with 'It'.

  1. Active: The audience understood [that …].
  2. Passive: It was understood by the audience that the main act might be delayed…
  3. Past 'understood' → 'was understood'; the that-clause stays unchanged.

Trick: Verbs like say, believe, understand, know + that-clause ⇒ 'It is/was + V3 + that…'.

Answer: (C) It was understood by the audience that the main act might be delayed because of technical issues.

अवधारणा: Object यदि that-clause हो तो passive 'It' से शुरू करें।

हल:

  1. Active: The audience understood [that …].
  2. Passive: It was understood by the audience that…
  3. 'understood' (past) → 'was understood'; that-clause वैसा ही।

ट्रिक: say, believe, understand, know + that-clause ⇒ 'It is/was + V3 + that…'।

उत्तर: (C) It was understood by the audience that the main act might be delayed because of technical issues.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionVoice – that-clause as objectSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q218.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence.
He has been lived in London for five years.
  1. Ahas been living
  2. Bhas being lived
  3. Chave lived
  4. Dhave been lived
Show answer

Concept: Action from past continuing now + 'for/since' ⇒ has/have been + V-ing.

  1. Subject 'He' ⇒ 'has'.
  2. 'live' here is intransitive – no passive 'been lived'.
  3. Correct: He has been living in London for five years.

Trick: 'for + period' with an ongoing action ⇒ think 'has/have been + -ing'.

Answer: (A) has been living

अवधारणा: भूतकाल से अब तक जारी क्रिया + 'for/since' ⇒ has/have been + V-ing.

हल:

  1. Subject 'He' ⇒ 'has'.
  2. 'live' अकर्मक है – 'been lived' (passive) नहीं बनेगा।
  3. सही: He has been living in London for five years.

ट्रिक: 'for + अवधि' और जारी क्रिया ⇒ 'has/have been + -ing'।

उत्तर: (A) has been living

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionTense – present perfect continuousSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q219.
Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence.
She said, "Will you attend the seminar tomorrow?"
  1. AShe inquired if I would attend the seminar the next day.
  2. BShe inquired if I will be attending the seminar tomorrow.
  3. CShe inquired whether I would attend the seminar tomorrow.
  4. DShe inquired if would I be attending the seminar the next day.
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Concept: Yes/no question → if/whether + statement order + backshift.

  1. 'Will you attend' → 'if I would attend' (you → I, will → would).
  2. 'tomorrow' → 'the next day'.
  3. She inquired if I would attend the seminar the next day.

Trick: Tick three checks: 'would' (not will), 'the next day' (not tomorrow), subject before verb – only (A) passes all.

Answer: (A) She inquired if I would attend the seminar the next day.

अवधारणा: Yes/no प्रश्न → if/whether + सामान्य क्रम + काल परिवर्तन।

हल:

  1. 'Will you attend' → 'if I would attend' (you → I, will → would)।
  2. 'tomorrow' → 'the next day'.
  3. She inquired if I would attend the seminar the next day.

ट्रिक: तीन जाँच: 'would', 'the next day', subject क्रिया से पहले – केवल (A) में तीनों।

उत्तर: (A) She inquired if I would attend the seminar the next day.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionNarration – yes/no questionSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1
Q220.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1. Infectious diseases pose a significant global health challenge.
2. They are caused by pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.
3. These pathogens can spread rapidly, leading to widespread epidemics or even pandemics.
4. Thus, early diagnosis and swift treatment are paramount for positive outcomes.
  1. A2-4-1-3
  2. B3-1-4-2
  3. C1-2-3-4
  4. D4-3-2-1
    Cloze Test
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Concept: Topic → cause → spread → conclusion.

  1. 1 introduces the topic (infectious diseases).
  2. 2 'They are caused by…' – cause; 3 'These pathogens…' – picks up 'pathogenic microorganisms' from 2.
  3. 4 'Thus…' – the conclusion.

Trick: 'Thus' almost always marks the last sentence; 'They/These' can't open a paragraph.

Answer: (C) 1-2-3-4

अवधारणा: विषय → कारण → फैलाव → निष्कर्ष।

हल:

  1. 1 विषय का परिचय।
  2. 2 'They are caused by…' – कारण; 3 'These pathogens…' – 2 के microorganisms से जुड़ा।
  3. 4 'Thus…' – निष्कर्ष।

ट्रिक: 'Thus' प्रायः अंतिम वाक्य; 'They/These' से पैराग्राफ शुरू नहीं होता।

उत्तर: (C) 1-2-3-4

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSentence rearrangement – infectious diseasesSSC CGL 2025 · 25 Sep Shift 1