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SSC CGL 2025 PYQs

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1,200 questions in English Comprehension.

Q501.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: IRRITABLE
  1. AGrumpy
  2. BFriendly
  3. CPolite
  4. DCalm
Show answer

Concept: Irritable = easily annoyed; short-tempered.

  1. Grumpy = bad-tempered, easily cross → same meaning.
  2. Friendly, polite, calm are opposite in tone.

Trick: Three options are "pleasant" words – the lone negative-mood word is the synonym of a negative word.

Answer: (A) Grumpy

अवधारणा: Irritable = जो जल्दी चिढ़ जाए; चिड़चिड़ा।

  1. Grumpy = चिड़चिड़ा, बदमिज़ाज → समान अर्थ।
  2. Friendly, Polite, Calm – विपरीत भाव वाले शब्द।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्प सुखद भाव के हैं – नकारात्मक शब्द का synonym वही अकेला नकारात्मक विकल्प है।

उत्तर: (A) Grumpy

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSynonym – IrritableSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q502.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word.
Eternal
  1. APerpetual
  2. BTransitory
  3. CEndless
  4. DImmortal
Show answer

Concept: Eternal = lasting forever.

  1. Transitory = lasting a short time, temporary → opposite.
  2. Perpetual, endless, immortal all mean "never ending" – synonyms, not antonyms.

Trick: When three options share one meaning, the odd one is usually the antonym.

Answer: (B) Transitory

अवधारणा: Eternal = सदा रहने वाला, शाश्वत।

  1. Transitory = क्षणिक, अस्थायी → विपरीत।
  2. Perpetual, Endless, Immortal – सबका अर्थ "कभी न खत्म होने वाला" – ये synonyms हैं।

ट्रिक: जब तीन विकल्पों का अर्थ एक जैसा हो, तो अलग वाला ही antonym होता है।

उत्तर: (B) Transitory

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionAntonym – EternalSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q503.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom:
He was clearly drawing the long bow while describing his achievements.
  1. ATo romanticize historical events
  2. BTo fabricate or exaggerate with little credibility
  3. CTo delay justice deliberately
  4. DTo conflate myth with realism
Show answer

Concept: "Draw the long bow" = to exaggerate or tell unbelievable stories.

  1. He was boasting about his achievements beyond the truth.
  2. Option (B) "fabricate or exaggerate with little credibility" fits exactly.

Yaad rakhein: Similar idioms: "spin a yarn", "tell a tall tale" – all mean exaggerating.

Answer: (B) To fabricate or exaggerate with little credibility

अवधारणा: "Draw the long bow" = बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर या अविश्वसनीय बातें कहना।

  1. वह अपनी उपलब्धियों को सच से बढ़ाकर बता रहा था।
  2. विकल्प (B) "गढ़ना या अविश्वसनीय रूप से बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर कहना" सटीक है।

याद रखें: समान idioms: "spin a yarn", "tell a tall tale" – सबका अर्थ बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर कहना।

उत्तर: (B) To fabricate or exaggerate with little credibility

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – draw the long bowSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q504.
Choose the correct spelling.
  1. ATreaty
  2. BTrrety
  3. CTreeti
  4. DTritye
Show answer

Concept: Treaty = a formal agreement between countries.

  1. Correct form: T-R-E-A-T-Y (treat + y).
  2. Trrety, Treeti, Tritye change letters/vowels.

Trick: Think "treat + y": a treaty is how nations treat each other.

Answer: (A) Treaty

अवधारणा: Treaty = देशों के बीच औपचारिक संधि।

  1. सही रूप: T-R-E-A-T-Y (treat + y)।
  2. Trrety, Treeti, Tritye में अक्षर/स्वर बदले हैं।

ट्रिक: "treat + y" याद रखो – संधि बताती है देश एक-दूसरे से कैसा व्यवहार (treat) करेंगे।

उत्तर: (A) Treaty

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – TreatySSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q505.
Choose the correct spelling.
  1. AObstinnate
  2. BObstinate
  3. CObsteinat
  4. DObbstinat
Show answer

Concept: Obstinate = stubborn, refusing to change one's mind.

  1. Correct: O-B-S-T-I-N-A-T-E (ob + sti + nate).
  2. Single b, single n, ending "-ate".

Trick: Break it as ob-STIN-ate; no letter is doubled.

Answer: (B) Obstinate

अवधारणा: Obstinate = ज़िद्दी, हठी।

  1. सही: O-B-S-T-I-N-A-T-E (ob + sti + nate)।
  2. एक b, एक n, अंत "-ate"।

ट्रिक: ob-STIN-ate में तोड़ो; कोई अक्षर दोहरा नहीं।

उत्तर: (B) Obstinate

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – ObstinateSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q506.
Choose the correct one-word substitution:
A person who believes that all forms of government or authority should be abolished.
  1. AConformist
  2. BAnarchist
  3. CPessimist
  4. DTraditionalist
Show answer

Concept: Anarchist = one who wants all government/authority abolished.

  1. Root: an- (without) + archy (rule) → "without rule".
  2. Conformist follows rules; traditionalist keeps old customs; pessimist expects the worst.

Trick: -archy = rule: monarchy (one ruler), oligarchy (few), anarchy (none).

Answer: (B) Anarchist

अवधारणा: Anarchist = जो हर प्रकार की सरकार/सत्ता को समाप्त करना चाहे (अराजकतावादी)।

  1. an- (बिना) + archy (शासन) → "बिना शासन"।
  2. Conformist नियम मानता है; Traditionalist परंपरा; Pessimist निराशावादी।

ट्रिक: -archy = शासन: monarchy (एक), oligarchy (कुछ), anarchy (कोई नहीं)।

उत्तर: (B) Anarchist

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – AnarchistSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q507.
Choose the correct spelling.
  1. AEsoterica
  2. BEsotericca
  3. CEsotiriica
  4. DEsotarica
Show answer

Concept: Esoterica = things understood only by a small, specialised group.

  1. Built from "esoteric" + a: E-S-O-T-E-R-I-C-A.
  2. Single c, vowels o–e–i.

Trick: If you can spell "esoteric", just add "a".

Answer: (A) Esoterica

अवधारणा: Esoterica = ऐसी बातें/वस्तुएँ जिन्हें कुछ विशेष लोग ही समझते हैं।

  1. "esoteric" + a: E-S-O-T-E-R-I-C-A।
  2. एक c, स्वर क्रम o–e–i।

ट्रिक: "esoteric" की spelling आती है तो बस "a" जोड़ दो।

उत्तर: (A) Esoterica

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – EsotericaSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q508.
Choose the correct one-word substitute for:
'A record of one's life written by someone else.'
  1. ABiography
  2. BMemorandum
  3. CMemoir
  4. DAutobiography
Show answer

Concept: Biography = life story written by another person.

  1. Autobiography = written by the person himself (auto = self).
  2. Memoir = personal recollections; memorandum = official note.

Trick: bio = life, graphy = writing; add "auto" only when the writer is the subject.

Answer: (A) Biography

अवधारणा: Biography = किसी के जीवन का वृत्तांत जो दूसरा व्यक्ति लिखे (जीवनी)।

  1. Autobiography = स्वयं लिखी (auto = स्वयं) – आत्मकथा।
  2. Memoir = संस्मरण; Memorandum = कार्यालयी नोट।

ट्रिक: bio = जीवन, graphy = लेखन; "auto" तभी जब लेखक स्वयं विषय हो।

उत्तर: (A) Biography

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – BiographySSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q509.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
____ his rigorous training, the athlete struggled to complete the marathon.
  1. AAs a result of
  2. BBy dint of
  3. CDue to
  4. DDespite
Show answer

Concept: Use a contrast word when the result is opposite to what is expected.

  1. Rigorous training should help, yet he struggled → contrast.
  2. "Despite" = in spite of → correct.
  3. "As a result of", "due to", "by dint of" show cause – wrong sense.

Trick: Expected ≠ actual → think Despite / In spite of / Although.

Answer: (D) Despite

अवधारणा: जब परिणाम अपेक्षा के उलट हो तो विरोधसूचक शब्द लगता है।

  1. कड़ी ट्रेनिंग से मदद मिलनी चाहिए थी, फिर भी संघर्ष हुआ → विरोध।
  2. "Despite" = के बावजूद → सही।
  3. "As a result of", "Due to", "By dint of" कारण बताते हैं – अर्थ उल्टा।

ट्रिक: अपेक्षा ≠ परिणाम → Despite / In spite of / Although सोचो।

उत्तर: (D) Despite

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionFill in the blank – contrast connectorSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q510.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom:
He had to eat crow after his plan completely failed.
  1. AEnjoy luxurious food
  2. BGive lavish charity
  3. CSuffer physical punishment
  4. DAdmit one's error and endure humiliation
Show answer

Concept: "Eat crow" = to admit one was wrong and suffer embarrassment.

  1. His plan failed, so he had to accept his mistake publicly.
  2. It has nothing to do with real food, charity or punishment.

Yaad rakhein: Similar: "eat humble pie" – also means admitting a mistake humbly.

Answer: (D) Admit one's error and endure humiliation

अवधारणा: "Eat crow" = अपनी गलती मानना और शर्मिंदगी झेलना।

  1. योजना विफल होने पर उसे अपनी गलती स्वीकारनी पड़ी।
  2. इसका भोजन, दान या दंड से कोई संबंध नहीं।

याद रखें: समान idiom: "eat humble pie" – विनम्रता से गलती मानना।

उत्तर: (D) Admit one's error and endure humiliation

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – eat crowSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q511.
Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence.
The teacher said, "You will have left this school before I resign."
  1. AThe teacher warned that you would have left this school before I resigned.
  2. BThe teacher told that you would have left this school before I resigned.
  3. CThe teacher said that they will have resigned from this school before he left.
  4. DThe teacher said that they would have left that school before he resigned.
Show answer

Concept: Past reporting verb → backshift tense; change pronouns and "this" → "that".

  1. "will have left" → "would have left"; "resign" → "resigned".
  2. "You" (listeners) → they; "I" (teacher) → he; "this school" → "that school".
  3. Result: The teacher said that they would have left that school before he resigned.

Trick: Quick filter: "this" must become "that" – only (D) has "that school".

Answer: (D) The teacher said that they would have left that school before he resigned.

अवधारणा: Reporting verb भूतकाल में हो तो tense पीछे खिसकता है; pronouns बदलते हैं, "this" → "that"।

  1. "will have left" → "would have left"; "resign" → "resigned"।
  2. "You" → they; "I" (teacher) → he; "this school" → "that school"।
  3. अतः: The teacher said that they would have left that school before he resigned.

ट्रिक: तुरंत छाँटो: "this" का "that" होना ज़रूरी – केवल (D) में "that school" है।

उत्तर: (D) The teacher said that they would have left that school before he resigned.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionDirect to indirect speechSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q512.
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. This enables the machine to store and retrieve data quickly, which is essential for fast operation.
2. Random Access Memory (RAM) plays a crucial role in a computer's overall performance.
3. Unlike long-term storage, RAM holds data that the CPU needs to access immediately for active tasks.
4. Without sufficient RAM, a computer would slow down significantly, regardless of its processor speed.
  1. A2, 3, 1, 4
  2. B3, 1, 2, 4
  3. C2, 4, 1, 3
  4. D1, 2, 3, 4
Show answer

Concept: Start with the topic sentence, then definition, effect, and conclusion.

  1. 2 introduces RAM and its importance – opener.
  2. 3 tells what RAM holds; 1 begins "This enables…", referring to 3.
  3. 4 gives the result of too little RAM – closing line.

Trick: A sentence starting with "This" can never open a paragraph – removes option (D) at once.

Answer: (A) 2, 3, 1, 4

अवधारणा: पहले विषय-वाक्य, फिर परिभाषा, प्रभाव और निष्कर्ष।

  1. 2 RAM और उसका महत्त्व बताता है – पहला वाक्य।
  2. 3 बताता है RAM क्या रखती है; 1 "This enables…" से 3 का संदर्भ लेता है।
  3. 4 कम RAM का परिणाम – अंतिम वाक्य।

ट्रिक: "This" से शुरू होने वाला वाक्य पहला नहीं हो सकता – (D) तुरंत हटता है।

उत्तर: (A) 2, 3, 1, 4

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPara jumble – RAMSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q513.
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.
That the expedition faced unforeseen challenges (1)/ in the treacherous mountain terrain (2)/ were evident from their delayed return (3)/ and exhausted appearance. (4)
  1. A(1)
  2. B(2)
  3. C(3)
  4. D(4)
Show answer

Concept: A noun clause used as subject takes a singular verb.

  1. Subject: "That the expedition faced unforeseen challenges…" – one clause.
  2. So "were evident" → "was evident".
  3. Error in part (3).

Trick: Don't let the plural "challenges" fool you – the whole "That…" clause is one idea = singular.

Answer: (C) (3)

अवधारणा: Subject के रूप में आया noun clause singular verb लेता है।

  1. Subject: "That the expedition faced unforeseen challenges…" – एक clause।
  2. अतः "were evident" → "was evident"।
  3. त्रुटि भाग (3) में।

ट्रिक: plural "challenges" से भ्रमित न हों – पूरा "That…" clause एक विचार = singular।

उत्तर: (C) (3)

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionError spotting – noun clause as subjectSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q514.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice.
The researchers may publish their findings next month.
  1. ATheir findings might be published by the researchers next month.
  2. BTheir findings may be published by the researchers next month.
  3. CTheir findings are published by the researchers next month.
  4. DTheir findings could be published by the researchers next month.
Show answer

Concept: Modal passive = modal + be + V3; the modal itself does not change.

  1. Object "their findings" becomes subject.
  2. "may publish" → "may be published".
  3. Their findings may be published by the researchers next month.

Trick: Keep the same modal: may stays may (not might/could), so (B).

Answer: (B) Their findings may be published by the researchers next month.

अवधारणा: Modal वाले passive में: modal + be + V3; modal नहीं बदलता।

  1. Object "their findings" subject बनता है।
  2. "may publish" → "may be published"।
  3. Their findings may be published by the researchers next month.

ट्रिक: वही modal रखो: may → may (might/could नहीं), अतः (B)।

उत्तर: (B) Their findings may be published by the researchers next month.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionActive to passive – modal "may"SSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q515.
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.
The sudden influx of tourists, (1)/ attracted by the newly opened resort, (2)/ have caused significant strain (3)/ on the local infrastructure. (4)
  1. A(1)
  2. B(2)
  3. C(3)
  4. D(4)
Show answer

Concept: The verb agrees with the main noun, not with the "of…" phrase.

  1. Main subject: "The sudden influx" – singular.
  2. "of tourists" is only a modifier.
  3. "have caused" → "has caused"; error in part (3).

Trick: Cover the "of …" phrase and the comma-phrase: "The influx … has caused".

Answer: (C) (3)

अवधारणा: Verb मुख्य noun से मेल खाती है, "of…" वाले phrase से नहीं।

  1. मुख्य subject: "The sudden influx" – singular।
  2. "of tourists" केवल विशेषण-phrase है।
  3. "have caused" → "has caused"; त्रुटि भाग (3) में।

ट्रिक: "of…" phrase और comma-phrase ढक दो: "The influx … has caused"।

उत्तर: (C) (3)

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionError spotting – subject–verb agreementSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q516.
Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word:
The philosopher's tenure at the institution became legendary.
  1. AHe lost his tenure because of academic misconduct.
  2. BThe lease agreement specifies the tenure in its clauses.
  3. CThe sculptor captured the tenure of pain in his marble work.
  4. DActivists challenged the colonial tenure laws.
Show answer

Concept: A homonym has the same form but a different meaning.

  1. In the given sentence, "tenure" = period of holding a post.
  2. (A), (B), (D) use it in the same sense of a term/holding (job tenure, lease tenure, land tenure).
  3. In (C) it describes the sustained quality or tone of pain in art – a different meaning, so it is the homonym.

Trick: Pick the sentence where the word cannot be replaced by "term/period of holding".

Answer: (C) The sculptor captured the tenure of pain in his marble work.

अवधारणा: Homonym – रूप समान, पर अर्थ अलग।

  1. दिए वाक्य में "tenure" = पद पर रहने की अवधि, कार्यकाल।
  2. (A), (B), (D) में भी इसी अर्थ (कार्यकाल/पट्टे की अवधि/भू-धारण) में प्रयोग।
  3. (C) में यह कला में दर्द के भाव/स्वर के लिए प्रयुक्त है – अलग अर्थ, अतः homonym।

ट्रिक: वह वाक्य चुनो जहाँ "term/अवधि" से शब्द बदला न जा सके।

उत्तर: (C) The sculptor captured the tenure of pain in his marble work.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionHomonym – tenureSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q517.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice.
It is hoped that a lasting peace agreement will be reached soon.
  1. AWe hope that a lasting peace agreement will be reached soon.
  2. BThey hope that a lasting peace agreement will be reached soon.
  3. CEveryone hopes to reach a lasting peace agreement soon.
  4. DPeople hope that they will reach a lasting peace agreement soon.
Show answer

Concept: "It is hoped that…" → "People hope that…"; the inner passive also becomes active.

  1. "It is hoped" → "People hope".
  2. "a peace agreement will be reached" → "they will reach a peace agreement".
  3. Both clauses active only in (D).

Trick: Check both clauses: (A) and (B) still have "will be reached" – reject.

Answer: (D) People hope that they will reach a lasting peace agreement soon.

अवधारणा: "It is hoped that…" → "People hope that…"; अंदर का passive भी active बनता है।

  1. "It is hoped" → "People hope"।
  2. "will be reached" → "they will reach"।
  3. दोनों clause active केवल (D) में।

ट्रिक: दोनों clause जाँचो: (A) और (B) में अभी भी "will be reached" है – हटाओ।

उत्तर: (D) People hope that they will reach a lasting peace agreement soon.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPassive to active – "It is hoped"SSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q518.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underline/Bold segment in the given sentence.
He is capable for handling of the complex project.
  1. Aof handling
  2. Bto handle
  3. Cin handling
  4. Dby handling
Show answer

Concept: "Capable" takes the preposition "of" + gerund (V-ing).

  1. "capable for handling of" is wrong on two counts.
  2. Correct: "He is capable of handling the complex project."

Trick: Fixed pairs: capable of, able to – never "capable to" or "able of".

Answer: (A) of handling

अवधारणा: "Capable" के साथ "of" + gerund (V-ing) आता है।

  1. "capable for handling of" दो तरह से गलत है।
  2. सही: "He is capable of handling the complex project."

ट्रिक: स्थिर जोड़े: capable of, able to – "capable to" या "able of" कभी नहीं।

उत्तर: (A) of handling

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSentence improvement – capable ofSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q519.
Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence.
The director explained that the project needed more funding, and the deadline had to be extended.
  1. AThe director said, "The project needs more funding, and the deadline has to be extended."
  2. BThe director said, "The project needed more funding, and the deadline has to be extended."
  3. CThe director said, "The project needs more funding, and the deadline had to be extended."
  4. DThe director explained, "The project needed more funding, and the deadline will be extended."
Show answer

Concept: Going back to direct speech, undo the backshift: past → present.

  1. "needed" → "needs".
  2. "had to be extended" → "has to be extended".
  3. Both changes appear only in (A).

Trick: Both clauses must shift together – any option mixing past and present is out.

Answer: (A) The director said, "The project needs more funding, and the deadline has to be extended."

अवधारणा: Direct speech में लौटते समय tense वापस आगे लाओ: past → present।

  1. "needed" → "needs"।
  2. "had to be extended" → "has to be extended"।
  3. दोनों बदलाव केवल (A) में।

ट्रिक: दोनों clause साथ बदलने चाहिए – past और present मिलाने वाला विकल्प गलत।

उत्तर: (A) The director said, "The project needs more funding, and the deadline has to be extended."

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIndirect to direct speechSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1
Q520.
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. Machine learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence, is rapidly gaining prominence.
2. This enables machines to learn from data without explicit programming.
3. Consequently, it finds applications in diverse fields, from healthcare to finance.
4. Algorithms are trained on vast datasets to recognize patterns and make predictions.
  1. A1-3-4-2
  2. B1-4-2-3
  3. C3-1-2-4
  4. D1-2-3-4
Show answer

Concept: Follow the flow: introduce → method → result → application.

  1. 1 introduces machine learning – opener.
  2. 4 explains the training of algorithms; 2 "This enables…" follows it.
  3. 3 "Consequently…" gives applications – conclusion.

Trick: Link words decide the order: "This" needs a sentence before it; "Consequently" usually comes last.

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

अवधारणा: क्रम: परिचय → विधि → परिणाम → उपयोग।

  1. 1 machine learning का परिचय – पहला वाक्य।
  2. 4 algorithms की training बताता है; 2 "This enables…" इसके बाद।
  3. 3 "Consequently…" उपयोग बताता है – अंत।

ट्रिक: जोड़ने वाले शब्द क्रम तय करते हैं: "This" से पहले वाक्य चाहिए; "Consequently" प्रायः अंत में।

उत्तर: (B) 1-4-2-3

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPara jumble – machine learningSSC CGL 2025 · 21 Sep Shift 1