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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.

Q921.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The health of an ecosystem is directly proportional ____ the diversity of species it supports.
  1. Ayet
  2. Bbut
  3. Cto
  4. Dvia
Show answer

Concept: Fixed pairing: proportional always takes to.

  1. directly proportional to / inversely proportional to.
  2. Yet, but are conjunctions; via means “through”.

Yaad rakhein: Other fixed pairs: similar to, prior to, superior to, equivalent to.

Answer: (C) to

अवधारणा: निश्चित प्रयोग: proportional के बाद हमेशा to आता है।

  1. directly proportional to / inversely proportional to
  2. yet, but – संयोजक हैं; via = “के माध्यम से”

याद रखें: ऐसे ही: similar to, prior to, superior to, equivalent to।

उत्तर: (C) to

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPrepositions – proportional toSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 3
Q922.
Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:
You will not succeed unless you do not work harder.
  1. Aunless you work
  2. Bif you did not work
  3. Cunless you will work
  4. Dif you work
Show answer

Concept: Unless already means “if not”, so it is not followed by another “not”.

  1. “unless you do not work” = “if you do not not work” – illogical.
  2. Correct: You will not succeed unless you work harder.

Trick: Replace “unless” with “if … not”: “if you do not work harder” – that is the intended meaning.

Answer: (A) unless you work

अवधारणा: Unless का अर्थ ही “if not” है, इसलिए इसके बाद फिर “not” नहीं लगता।

  1. “unless you do not work” = दोहरा निषेध – अर्थ उलट जाता है।
  2. सही: You will not succeed unless you work harder.

ट्रिक: unless की जगह “if … not” रखकर देखें – अर्थ स्पष्ट हो जाता है।

उत्तर: (A) unless you work

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionConjunctions – unless (no double negative)SSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 3
Q923.
Select the correct indirect/direct form of the given sentence.
She said that she intended to start her own business soon.
  1. AShe said, "She intends to start her own business soon."
  2. BShe said, "I intend to start my own business soon."
  3. CShe said, "I intended starting my own business soon."
  4. DShe said, "I had intended to start my own business soon."
Show answer

Concept: Undo the reporting changes: past → present, third person → first person.

  1. intended (reported past) → intend.
  2. she / her → I / my (the speaker is talking about herself).
  3. Add inverted commas around the spoken words.

Trick: In direct speech the speaker says “I”, and the tense steps one stage forward.

Answer: (B) She said, "I intend to start my own business soon."

अवधारणा: Indirect के बदलाव उलटें: past → present, तृतीय पुरुष → प्रथम पुरुष।

  1. intended → intend
  2. she / her → I / my
  3. बोले गए शब्दों को उद्धरण चिह्नों में रखें।

ट्रिक: Direct में वक्ता स्वयं “I” बोलता है और काल एक कदम आगे (present) आता है।

उत्तर: (B) She said, "I intend to start my own business soon."

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionNarration – indirect to directSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 3
Q924.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word:
Favourable
  1. AUnlikely
  2. BPropitious
  3. CHopeless
  4. DDoubtful
Show answer

Concept: Favourable = helpful, promising success.

  1. Propitious = indicating a good chance of success – closest meaning.
  2. Unlikely, Hopeless, Doubtful are negative in sense.

Trick: Three options are negative; only one carries a positive sense.

Answer: (B) Propitious

अवधारणा: Favourable = अनुकूल, सफलता की संभावना वाला।

  1. Propitious = शुभ/अनुकूल – निकटतम अर्थ।
  2. Unlikely, Hopeless, Doubtful – नकारात्मक अर्थ।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्प नकारात्मक हैं; अकेला सकारात्मक शब्द उत्तर है।

उत्तर: (B) Propitious

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSynonyms – favourableSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 3
Q925.
Select the sentence which uses the homonym of the given word.
Word: Digest
Meaning: a substance or mixture obtained by digestion.
  1. AThe digest was rich in organic nutrients.
  2. BBacteria converted the waste into a liquid digest.
  3. CThe weekly digest summarises the top news stories.
  4. DFarmers used the digest as a natural fertilizer.
Show answer

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

  1. Given sense: digest = material produced by digestion (a by-product).
  2. Options A, B, D use exactly this sense (nutrients, waste converted, fertiliser).
  3. Option C uses digest = a summary of news – a different meaning.

Trick: Pick the sentence where the word's meaning changes – the odd sense among the options.

Answer: (C) The weekly digest summarises the top news stories.

अवधारणा: समनाम शब्द की वर्तनी समान, पर अर्थ अलग होता है।

  1. दिया गया अर्थ: digest = पाचन से बना पदार्थ।
  2. A, B, D इसी अर्थ में (पोषक तत्व, अपशिष्ट से बना, खाद)।
  3. C में digest = समाचारों का सारांश – अलग अर्थ।

ट्रिक: वह वाक्य चुनें जिसमें शब्द का अर्थ बदल जाए।

उत्तर: (C) The weekly digest summarises the top news stories.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionHomonyms – digestSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 3
Q926.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the highlighted idiom.
They fought tooth and nail to protect their rights.
  1. AWith great determination and strength
  2. BWithout any preparation
  3. CIn a secret and silent manner
  4. DIn a weak or careless way
Show answer

Concept: 'Fight tooth and nail' = fight with full force and determination.

  1. The picture is of fighting with teeth and nails – using every means available.
  2. So they defended their rights with great determination and strength.
  3. (B), (C), (D) suggest lack of effort – the opposite idea.

Trick: Strong physical image (teeth, nails) → strong effort; pick the most intense option.

Answer: (A) With great determination and strength

अवधारणा: 'Fight tooth and nail' = पूरी ताकत और दृढ़ता से लड़ना।

  1. दाँत और नाखून से लड़ने की छवि – हर संभव साधन लगाना।
  2. अर्थ: उन्होंने अपने अधिकारों के लिए पूरी दृढ़ता से संघर्ष किया।
  3. (B), (C), (D) कमज़ोर प्रयास बताते हैं – उल्टा अर्थ।

ट्रिक: दाँत-नाखून जैसी तीव्र छवि → तीव्र प्रयास वाला विकल्प चुनें।

उत्तर: (A) With great determination and strength

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – tooth and nailSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q927.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word:
Unyielding
  1. ASoft
  2. BImplacable
  3. CTender
  4. DFlexible
Show answer

Concept: Unyielding = not giving way; firm and inflexible.

  1. Implacable = one who cannot be calmed or made to give in – the closest match.
  2. Soft, Tender, Flexible all mean yielding easily – antonyms.

Trick: Three options share one meaning (soft/flexible) – the odd one is the answer.

Answer: (B) Implacable

अवधारणा: Unyielding = न झुकने वाला, अडिग।

  1. Implacable = जिसे मनाया या झुकाया न जा सके – निकटतम अर्थ।
  2. Soft, Tender, Flexible = आसानी से झुकने वाला – विलोम।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्पों का अर्थ एक जैसा (नरम/लचीला) – बचा हुआ उत्तर।

उत्तर: (B) Implacable

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSynonym – UnyieldingSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q928.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the word given in brackets.
A team leader should be confident and ____ (obsequious).
  1. AAssertive
  2. BDocile
  3. CFlattering
  4. DServile
Show answer

Concept: Obsequious = too eager to please or obey; fawning.

  1. Opposite = Assertive (confident, stating one's views firmly).
  2. Docile, Flattering, Servile are near-synonyms of obsequious.
  3. The sentence 'confident and ____' also needs a positive leadership quality.

Trick: Use the sentence clue: 'confident and…' pairs naturally with 'assertive'.

Answer: (A) Assertive

अवधारणा: Obsequious = चापलूस, अत्यधिक आज्ञाकारी।

  1. विलोम = Assertive (आत्मविश्वास से अपनी बात रखने वाला)।
  2. Docile, Flattering, Servile – obsequious के समानार्थी।
  3. वाक्य 'confident and ____' में भी नेतृत्व का गुण चाहिए।

ट्रिक: वाक्य का संकेत: 'confident and' के साथ 'assertive' ही जमता है।

उत्तर: (A) Assertive

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionAntonym – ObsequiousSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q929.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word:
Sleep-Inducing
  1. ADozy
  2. BSoporific
  3. CSedative
  4. DStimulating
Show answer

Concept: Sleep-inducing = causing sleep or drowsiness.

  1. Opposite = Stimulating (making alert and active).
  2. Dozy (sleepy), Soporific (causing sleep), Sedative (calming) – all similar meanings.

Yaad rakhein: Soporific = sleep-inducing; a common SSC word.

Answer: (D) Stimulating

अवधारणा: Sleep-inducing = नींद लाने वाला।

  1. विलोम = Stimulating (उत्तेजित/सतर्क करने वाला)।
  2. Dozy (उनींदा), Soporific (नींद लाने वाला), Sedative (शांत करने वाला) – समान अर्थ।

याद रखें: Soporific = नींद लाने वाला; SSC में बार-बार आता है।

उत्तर: (D) Stimulating

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionAntonym – Sleep-inducingSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q930.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the highlighted idiom.
The company stole a march on its rivals.
  1. AGaining an advantage by acting earlier
  2. BGiving up suddenly
  3. CTurning against partners
  4. DAvoiding a penalty
Show answer

Concept: 'Steal a march on someone' = get ahead of them by acting first.

  1. The company moved earlier than its rivals and gained an advantage.
  2. It has nothing to do with giving up, betrayal or penalties.

Yaad rakhein: Similar idiom: 'get a head start' – begin before others to gain an advantage.

Answer: (A) Gaining an advantage by acting earlier

अवधारणा: 'Steal a march on' = पहले कदम उठाकर दूसरों से आगे निकल जाना।

  1. कंपनी ने प्रतिद्वंद्वियों से पहले कदम उठाकर बढ़त ली।
  2. इसका हार मानने, धोखे या दंड से कोई संबंध नहीं।

याद रखें: समान मुहावरा: 'get a head start' – दूसरों से पहले शुरू करना।

उत्तर: (A) Gaining an advantage by acting earlier

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – steal a march onSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q931.
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.
Neither the students nor the teachers (1)/ were aware that the schedule (2)/ for the annual function (3)/ have been changed by the principal. (4)
  1. A(1)
  2. B(2)
  3. C(3)
  4. D(4)
Show answer

Concept: A singular subject takes a singular verb; with 'neither…nor' the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

  1. Part (1)–(2): 'Neither the students nor the teachers were' – nearer subject 'teachers' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
  2. In part (4), the subject is 'the schedule' (singular).
  3. 'have been changed' must be 'had been changed' (past sequence after 'were aware').
  4. Hence part (4) contains the error.

Yaad rakhein: Find the real subject of each verb – here 'have' belongs to 'the schedule', not to 'students/teachers'.

Answer: (D) (4)

अवधारणा: एकवचन कर्ता के साथ एकवचन क्रिया; 'neither…nor' में क्रिया पास वाले कर्ता के अनुसार।

  1. भाग (1)–(2): 'Neither the students nor the teachers were' – पास वाला कर्ता 'teachers' बहुवचन है, अतः 'were' सही।
  2. भाग (4) का कर्ता 'the schedule' एकवचन है।
  3. 'have been changed' की जगह 'had been changed' होना चाहिए (भूतकाल 'were aware' के बाद)।
  4. अतः भाग (4) में त्रुटि है।

याद रखें: हर क्रिया का असली कर्ता ढूँढें – 'have' का कर्ता 'the schedule' है।

उत्तर: (D) (4)

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionError spotting – subject–verb agreementSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q932.
Choose the correctly spelt word.
  1. AMyriad
  2. BMarreid
  3. CMiddel
  4. DMarder
Show answer

Concept: Pick the word with standard spelling.

  1. Myriad (a very large number) – correct.
  2. Correct forms of the others: Married, Middle, Murder.

Trick: Look for common words misspelt (Middel, Marder) – eliminate them first.

Answer: (A) Myriad

अवधारणा: मानक वर्तनी वाला शब्द चुनें।

  1. Myriad (असंख्य) – सही।
  2. बाकी के सही रूप: Married, Middle, Murder।

ट्रिक: आम शब्दों की गलत वर्तनी (Middel, Marder) पहले हटाएँ।

उत्तर: (A) Myriad

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpellingSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q933.
Choose the correctly spelt word.
  1. AElastik
  2. BEcholalia
  3. CEgoisht
  4. DEconomicel
Show answer

Concept: Pick the correctly spelt word.

  1. Echolalia (automatic repetition of another person's words) – correct.
  2. Corrections: Elastic, Egoist, Economical.

Trick: Unusual letters like 'k' in 'Elastik' or 'sh' in 'Egoisht' reveal errors at once.

Answer: (B) Echolalia

अवधारणा: सही वर्तनी वाला शब्द चुनें।

  1. Echolalia (दूसरे के शब्द दोहराना) – सही।
  2. सही रूप: Elastic, Egoist, Economical।

ट्रिक: 'Elastik' में 'k' या 'Egoisht' में 'sh' जैसी अनोखी वर्तनी तुरंत गलती दिखाती है।

उत्तर: (B) Echolalia

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpellingSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q934.
Choose the one-word substitute for the below sentence.
He openly criticised the government's decisions and refused to support its official policies.
  1. AActivist
  2. BDissident
  3. CAgitator
  4. DProtestor
Show answer

Concept: Dissident = a person who openly opposes official policy, especially of a government.

  1. The sentence stresses criticising the government and rejecting its policies → dissident.
  2. Activist = campaigns for a cause; Agitator = stirs up unrest; Protestor = takes part in a protest.

Yaad rakhein: Dissent (noun) = disagreement with official views.

Answer: (B) Dissident

अवधारणा: Dissident = सरकार की आधिकारिक नीति का खुला विरोधी।

  1. वाक्य में सरकार की आलोचना और नीतियों का अस्वीकार → dissident।
  2. Activist = किसी उद्देश्य हेतु अभियान; Agitator = अशांति भड़काने वाला; Protestor = प्रदर्शनकारी।

याद रखें: Dissent = आधिकारिक मत से असहमति।

उत्तर: (B) Dissident

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – DissidentSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q935.
Choose the correct one-word substitute for:
The quality of having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
  1. APrudence
  2. BArrogance
  3. CHumility
  4. DModerate
Show answer

Concept: Arrogance = an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

  1. Humility is its opposite; Prudence means wise caution.
  2. 'Moderate' is an adjective/verb, not a quality noun.

Yaad rakhein: Related words: haughtiness, conceit, hubris.

Answer: (B) Arrogance

अवधारणा: Arrogance = अपनी योग्यता/महत्त्व का बढ़ा-चढ़ा भाव, घमंड।

  1. Humility (विनम्रता) इसका विलोम; Prudence = समझदारी।
  2. 'Moderate' गुणवाचक संज्ञा नहीं है।

याद रखें: समान शब्द: haughtiness, conceit, hubris।

उत्तर: (B) Arrogance

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – ArroganceSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q936.
Choose the right collocation:
The report provides a ____ analysis of the existing healthcare framework.
  1. Athoroughgoing
  2. Bthrough-going
  3. Cgo-thorough
  4. Dthrough-go
Show answer

Concept: Thoroughgoing = complete and detailed.

  1. 'A thoroughgoing analysis' = a full, detailed study.
  2. 'Through-going', 'go-thorough', 'through-go' are not valid English words.

Trick: Don't confuse 'thorough' (complete) with 'through' (from one side to the other).

Answer: (A) thoroughgoing

अवधारणा: Thoroughgoing = पूर्ण और विस्तृत।

  1. 'A thoroughgoing analysis' = पूरा, विस्तृत विश्लेषण।
  2. बाकी रूप अंग्रेज़ी में मान्य शब्द नहीं।

ट्रिक: 'thorough' (पूर्ण) और 'through' (आर-पार) में भ्रम न करें।

उत्तर: (A) thoroughgoing

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionCollocation – thoroughgoing analysisSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q937.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The proposal ____ was initially dismissed, later gained widespread approval.
  1. Awho
  2. Bwhich
  3. Cthat
  4. Dwhom
Show answer

Concept: For things use 'which/that'; for people 'who/whom'.

  1. 'The proposal' is a thing → who/whom are out.
  2. The clause adds extra (non-defining) information, so 'which' is used: 'The proposal, which was initially dismissed, later gained…'

Trick: Non-defining clause (set off by commas) never takes 'that'.

Answer: (B) which

अवधारणा: वस्तु के लिए 'which/that', व्यक्ति के लिए 'who/whom'।

  1. 'The proposal' वस्तु है → who/whom हटाएँ।
  2. यह उपवाक्य अतिरिक्त जानकारी देता है, इसलिए 'which' आएगा।

ट्रिक: अल्पविराम वाले (non-defining) उपवाक्य में 'that' नहीं आता।

उत्तर: (B) which

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionRelative pronoun – whichSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q938.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice.
Did the board approve the company's revised financial policy?
  1. AWas the company's revised financial policy approved from the board?
  2. BHas the company's revised financial policy been approved by the board?
  3. CWas the company's revised financial policy approved by the board?
  4. DIs the company's revised financial policy being approved by the board?
Show answer

Concept: Did + V1 (active) → Was/Were + subject + V3 + by…? (passive).

  1. Object 'the company's revised financial policy' becomes the subject.
  2. Passive: Was the company's revised financial policy approved by the board?
  3. (A) wrong preposition 'from'; (B), (D) change the tense.

Trick: Keep the tense; only 'by' introduces the doer.

Answer: (C) Was the company's revised financial policy approved by the board?

अवधारणा: Did + V1 → Was/Were + कर्ता + V3 + by…?

  1. कर्म 'the company's revised financial policy' कर्ता बनेगा।
  2. Passive: Was the company's revised financial policy approved by the board?
  3. (A) में 'from' गलत; (B), (D) में काल बदला।

ट्रिक: काल वही रखें; कर्ता से पहले केवल 'by'।

उत्तर: (C) Was the company's revised financial policy approved by the board?

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionVoice – interrogative, simple pastSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q939.
Select the sentence in which the homonym of the given word is used.
Word: Crosier
Meaning: a plant structure with a coiled end.
  1. AThe gardener pruned the emerging crosier of the fern.
  2. BThe bishop carried an ornate silver crosier in the procession.
  3. CThe spiral crosier is a beautiful example of nature's geometry.
  4. DThe botanical crosier unfurled as the temperature rose.
Show answer

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

  1. Given meaning: coiled tip of a young fern (plant).
  2. Other meaning: a bishop's hooked staff – used in (B).
  3. (A), (C), (D) still use the plant sense.

Trick: Pick the sentence whose context (bishop, procession) is far from the given meaning.

Answer: (B) The bishop carried an ornate silver crosier in the procession.

अवधारणा: समनाम = वही शब्द, अलग अर्थ।

  1. दिया अर्थ: फर्न का कुंडलित सिरा (पौधा)।
  2. दूसरा अर्थ: बिशप की मुड़ी हुई छड़ी – (B) में।
  3. (A), (C), (D) में पौधे वाला अर्थ ही है।

ट्रिक: जिस वाक्य का संदर्भ (बिशप, जुलूस) दिए अर्थ से बिल्कुल अलग हो, वही।

उत्तर: (B) The bishop carried an ornate silver crosier in the procession.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionHomonym – crosierSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2
Q940.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Active/Passive voice.
The findings had been suppressed by the committee for political reasons.
  1. AThe committee had suppressed the findings for political reasons.
  2. BThe committee suppressed the findings for political reasons.
  3. CThe findings were suppressed by the committee for political reasons.
  4. DThe committee was suppressing the findings for political reasons.
Show answer

Concept: had been + V3 (passive) → had + V3 (active).

  1. Doer 'the committee' becomes the subject.
  2. Active: The committee had suppressed the findings for political reasons.
  3. (B) simple past, (C) still passive, (D) past continuous.

Trick: Match the helping verb: 'had been' → 'had'.

Answer: (A) The committee had suppressed the findings for political reasons.

अवधारणा: had been + V3 → had + V3।

  1. कर्ता 'the committee' आगे आएगा।
  2. Active: The committee had suppressed the findings for political reasons.
  3. (B) सामान्य भूत, (C) कर्मवाच्य ही, (D) अपूर्ण भूत।

ट्रिक: सहायक क्रिया मिलाएँ: 'had been' → 'had'।

उत्तर: (A) The committee had suppressed the findings for political reasons.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionVoice – past perfect passive to activeSSC CGL 2025 · 15 Sep Shift 2