SSC CPO Paper I · 6,600 questions

SSC CPO Paper I 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 PYQs

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1,650 questions in English Comprehension.

Q921.
Select the correct meaning of the idiom in bold and italics.
Sometimes I just have to resort to the carrot and stick approach with my children.
  1. AMixture of rewards and punishments
  2. BWaste one's efforts by pursuing the wrong thing or path
  3. CPractically identical in appearance
  4. DTo be optimistic or enthusiastic
Show answer

Concept: Carrot and stick approach = persuading someone by offering a reward (carrot) and threatening a punishment (stick).

  1. The idea comes from moving a donkey: a carrot in front as a reward, a stick behind as a punishment.
  2. A parent using it with children combines rewards and punishments — option (A).
  3. (B) describes 'barking up the wrong tree'; (C) 'like two peas in a pod'.

Yaad rakhein: Carrot = reward, stick = punishment.

Answer: (A) Mixture of rewards and punishments

अवधारणा: Carrot and stick approach = इनाम (carrot) और दंड (stick) दोनों का प्रयोग करके किसी से काम करवाना।

  1. यह गधे को चलाने से आया है: आगे गाजर (इनाम), पीछे डंडा (सज़ा)।
  2. बच्चों के साथ इसका प्रयोग = इनाम और सज़ा का मिश्रण — विकल्प (A)।
  3. (B) 'barking up the wrong tree' का अर्थ है; (C) 'like two peas in a pod' का।

याद रखें: Carrot = इनाम, stick = सज़ा।

उत्तर: (A) Mixture of rewards and punishments

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionIdiomsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q922.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined word in a sentence.
She was a brave woman but she felt daunted by the task ahead.
  1. Abold
  2. Bintimidated
  3. Cappreciated
  4. Dencouraged
Show answer

Concept: Daunted = made to feel nervous, discouraged or intimidated.

  1. The word 'but' shows contrast: she was brave, but felt frightened by the task.
  2. So 'daunted' = intimidated.
  3. 'Bold' and 'encouraged' are opposites; 'appreciated' is unrelated.

Yaad rakhein: Daunting task = frightening task; undaunted = fearless.

Answer: (B) intimidated

अवधारणा: Daunted = घबराया हुआ, हतोत्साहित, भयभीत।

  1. 'but' विरोध दिखाता है: वह बहादुर थी, but काम से घबरा गई।
  2. अतः 'daunted' = intimidated (डरा हुआ)।
  3. 'Bold' और 'encouraged' उल्टे अर्थ हैं; 'appreciated' असंबंधित है।

याद रखें: Daunting task = डराने वाला कार्य; undaunted = निडर।

उत्तर: (B) intimidated (भयभीत)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionVocabulary in contextSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q923.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word in the given sentence. The scene of Ratan’s friend’s bike accident remains stamped in his memory.
  1. Aapproved
  2. Bscary
  3. Cshunned
  4. Dimprinted
Show answer

Concept: Stamped in memory = fixed firmly and permanently in the mind.

  1. The accident scene remains printed in Ratan's memory → imprinted.
  2. 'Approved' is the literal sense of a rubber stamp, not the sense here.
  3. 'Scary' describes the scene, not 'stamped'; 'shunned' means avoided.

Yaad rakhein: stamped / etched / imprinted in memory = unforgettable.

Answer: (D) imprinted

अवधारणा: Stamped in memory = मन में गहराई से अंकित हो जाना।

  1. दुर्घटना का दृश्य रतन की स्मृति में छप गया है → imprinted (अंकित)।
  2. 'Approved' रबर-स्टैम्प का शाब्दिक अर्थ है, यहाँ वह अर्थ नहीं।
  3. 'Scary' दृश्य का वर्णन करता है; 'shunned' = टाला गया।

याद रखें: stamped / etched / imprinted in memory = कभी न भूलने वाला।

उत्तर: (D) imprinted (अंकित)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSynonyms in contextSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q924.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of
words.
The main character in a story.
  1. AAntagonist
  2. BProtagonist
  3. CLeader
  4. DPlayer
Show answer

Concept: The protagonist (Greek protos = first) is the main character of a story, play or film.

  1. Protagonist = main character — matches.
  2. Antagonist = the character who opposes the protagonist (villain).
  3. 'Leader' and 'Player' are general words, not literary terms.

Trick: PROtagonist = PRimary; ANTagonist = ANTi (against).

Answer: (B) Protagonist

अवधारणा: Protagonist (ग्रीक protos = प्रथम) कहानी, नाटक या फ़िल्म का मुख्य पात्र (नायक) होता है।

  1. Protagonist = मुख्य पात्र — मेल खाता है।
  2. Antagonist = नायक का विरोधी पात्र (खलनायक)।
  3. 'Leader' और 'Player' सामान्य शब्द हैं, साहित्यिक शब्द नहीं।

ट्रिक: PROtagonist = प्रमुख; ANTagonist = ANTi (विरोधी)।

उत्तर: (B) Protagonist (नायक)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitutionSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q925.
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
Integrate
  1. AInfluence
  2. BAccept
  3. CExcite
  4. DSeparate
Show answer

Concept: Integrate = to combine or join parts into a whole.

  1. The opposite is to divide or keep apart → separate.
  2. 'Influence', 'Accept' and 'Excite' are not opposites of joining.
  3. Example: Integrate the two systems ↔ separate the two systems.

Yaad rakhein: Integrate ↔ separate / segregate / disintegrate.

Answer: (D) Separate

अवधारणा: Integrate = भागों को मिलाकर एक करना, एकीकृत करना।

  1. इसका विलोम है अलग करना → separate।
  2. 'Influence', 'Accept', 'Excite' जोड़ने के विलोम नहीं हैं।
  3. उदाहरण: Integrate the two systems ↔ separate the two systems।

याद रखें: Integrate ↔ separate / segregate / disintegrate।

उत्तर: (D) Separate (अलग करना)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionAntonymsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q926.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’. Jeremy does not like to discuss his personnel problems openly.
  1. ANo substitution required
  2. Bpersonnel problem
  3. Cpersonal problems
  4. Dperson problem
Show answer

Concept: Personal = private, relating to one person; personnel = the staff or employees of an organisation.

  1. Jeremy's private problems → personal problems.
  2. 'personnel problems' would mean staff problems — wrong sense.
  3. 'personnel problem' and 'person problem' are also wrong; 'his … problems' stays plural.

Yaad rakhein: personAL = one person; personNEL = the staff (HR = personnel department).

Answer: (C) personal problems

अवधारणा: Personal = निजी, व्यक्तिगत; personnel = किसी संगठन के कर्मचारी।

  1. Jeremy की निजी समस्याएँ → personal problems।
  2. 'personnel problems' का अर्थ होगा कर्मचारियों की समस्याएँ — गलत।
  3. 'personnel problem' और 'person problem' भी गलत हैं।

याद रखें: personal = व्यक्तिगत; personnel = स्टाफ (personnel department)।

उत्तर: (C) personal problems

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionConfusable wordsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q927.
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them may contain an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. If you don’t find any
error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
He has always been / quite careless for / his own safety.
  1. Aquite careless for
  2. BHe has always been
  3. CNo error
  4. Dhis own safety
Show answer

Concept: Careless takes the preposition about or of, not for.

  1. Correct: He has always been quite careless about (or of) his own safety.
  2. So the error is in 'quite careless for'.
  3. 'He has always been' (present perfect) and 'his own safety' are correct.

Yaad rakhein: careless about / of; careful of / about; anxious for (desire) — learn adjective + preposition pairs.

Answer: (A) quite careless for

अवधारणा: Careless के साथ about या of लगता है, for नहीं।

  1. सही: He has always been quite careless about (या of) his own safety.
  2. अतः त्रुटि 'quite careless for' में है।
  3. 'He has always been' और 'his own safety' सही हैं।

याद रखें: careless about / of; careful of / about — adjective + preposition जोड़े याद करें।

उत्तर: (A) quite careless for

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSpotting errors (prepositions)SSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q928.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
Cornucopia
  1. ASink hole
  2. BTreasure trove
  3. CMalaise
  4. DAvarice
Show answer

Concept: Cornucopia (the 'horn of plenty') = an abundant supply of good things.

  1. A treasure trove is a valuable collection or rich source — closest in meaning.
  2. 'Sink hole' = a hole in the ground; 'Malaise' = unease; 'Avarice' = greed.
  3. None of these mean abundance.

Yaad rakhein: Cornucopia = horn of plenty = abundance.

Answer: (B) Treasure trove

अवधारणा: Cornucopia ('horn of plenty') = अच्छी वस्तुओं का प्रचुर भंडार।

  1. Treasure trove = मूल्यवान वस्तुओं का खज़ाना — अर्थ में सबसे निकट।
  2. 'Sink hole' = ज़मीन में गड्ढा; 'Malaise' = बेचैनी; 'Avarice' = लालच।
  3. इनमें से कोई प्रचुरता नहीं दर्शाता।

याद रखें: Cornucopia = horn of plenty = प्रचुरता।

उत्तर: (B) Treasure trove (खज़ाना)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSynonymsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q929.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of
words.
A letter, poem etc. whose author is unknown.
  1. AAutonomous
  2. BAnomalous
  3. CAnonymous
  4. DAutocrat
Show answer

Concept: Anonymous (Greek an = without, onoma = name) = written or done by someone whose name is unknown.

  1. A letter or poem with an unknown author is anonymous.
  2. Autonomous = self-governing; Anomalous = abnormal, irregular.
  3. Autocrat = a ruler with absolute power.

Trick: an + onym (name) = without a name; compare synonym, antonym, pseudonym.

Answer: (C) Anonymous

अवधारणा: Anonymous (ग्रीक an = बिना, onoma = नाम) = जिसके लेखक का नाम अज्ञात हो।

  1. अज्ञात लेखक का पत्र या कविता = anonymous (गुमनाम)।
  2. Autonomous = स्वायत्त; Anomalous = असामान्य।
  3. Autocrat = निरंकुश शासक।

ट्रिक: an + onym (नाम) = बिना नाम का; synonym, antonym, pseudonym से तुलना करें।

उत्तर: (C) Anonymous (गुमनाम)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitutionSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q930.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
Obliterate
  1. APatched
  2. BHealed
  3. CMended
  4. DAbolish
Show answer

Concept: Obliterate = to destroy completely, wipe out.

  1. Abolish = to put an end to completely — closest in meaning.
  2. 'Patched', 'Healed' and 'Mended' mean repairing — the opposite idea.
  3. Example: The flood obliterated the village.

Yaad rakhein: Obliterate = wipe out = annihilate = erase.

Answer: (D) Abolish

अवधारणा: Obliterate = पूरी तरह नष्ट कर देना, मिटा देना।

  1. Abolish = पूरी तरह समाप्त करना — अर्थ में सबसे निकट।
  2. 'Patched', 'Healed', 'Mended' मरम्मत करना दर्शाते हैं — उल्टा भाव।
  3. उदाहरण: The flood obliterated the village.

याद रखें: Obliterate = wipe out = annihilate = erase (मिटा देना)।

उत्तर: (D) Abolish (समाप्त करना)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSynonymsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q931.
Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
  1. AMeasure
  2. BSubscrieb
  3. CRectify
  4. DBranding
Show answer

Concept: Check each word against its standard spelling.

  1. Measure, Rectify and Branding are correct.
  2. The correct spelling is Subscribe (sub + scribe, 'to write under'), ending in '-ibe'.
  3. So 'Subscrieb' is misspelt.

Trick: -scribe words: describe, prescribe, subscribe, inscribe — all end in '-ibe'.

Answer: (B) Subscrieb

अवधारणा: हर शब्द की वर्तनी मानक रूप से मिलाएँ।

  1. Measure, Rectify, Branding सही हैं।
  2. सही वर्तनी Subscribe (sub + scribe = 'नीचे लिखना') है, अंत '-ibe'।
  3. अतः 'Subscrieb' गलत है।

ट्रिक: -scribe शब्द: describe, prescribe, subscribe, inscribe — सभी '-ibe' पर समाप्त।

उत्तर: (B) Subscrieb

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSpellingSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q932.
Identify the INCORRECTLY spelt word in the given sentence.
The most frequent medallion composition on a carpet consists of a more or less
elaborate motif superimposed on the centre of a patterned field and often
complemented with corner pieces, which are typically quardants of the central
medallion.
  1. Amedallion
  2. Belaborate
  3. Ccomplemented
  4. Dquardant
Show answer

Concept: Check each underlined word of the sentence against its standard spelling.

  1. medallion, elaborate and complemented are spelt correctly.
  2. The correct word is quadrant = a quarter of a circle or area (quad = four); there is no 'r' after 'qu'.
  3. So 'quardant' is misspelt.

Trick: quad = four: quadrant, quadrilateral, quadruple.

Answer: (D) quardant

अवधारणा: वाक्य के शब्दों की वर्तनी मानक रूप से मिलाएँ।

  1. medallion, elaborate, complemented सही हैं।
  2. सही शब्द quadrant = वृत्त या क्षेत्र का चौथाई भाग (quad = चार); 'qu' के बाद 'r' नहीं।
  3. अतः 'quardant' गलत है।

ट्रिक: quad = चार: quadrant, quadrilateral, quadruple।

उत्तर: (D) quardant

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSpellingSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q933.
Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
  1. AMiarage
  2. BMissing
  3. CMistaken
  4. DMission
Show answer

Concept: Check each word against its standard spelling.

  1. Missing, Mistaken and Mission are correct.
  2. The correct spelling is Mirage (an optical illusion, e.g. water seen in a desert).
  3. So 'Miarage' is misspelt.

Yaad rakhein: Mirage = mir + age (no 'a' after 'i').

Answer: (A) Miarage

अवधारणा: हर शब्द की वर्तनी मानक रूप से मिलाएँ।

  1. Missing, Mistaken, Mission सही हैं।
  2. सही वर्तनी Mirage (मृगतृष्णा) है।
  3. अतः 'Miarage' गलत है।

याद रखें: Mirage = mir + age ('i' के बाद 'a' नहीं)।

उत्तर: (A) Miarage

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSpellingSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q934.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
It is never advisable to have an axe to ________.
  1. Akill
  2. Brotate
  3. Creplace
  4. Dgrind
Show answer

Concept: To have an axe to grind = to have a selfish or private motive, or a grievance, behind one's actions.

  1. The fixed idiom uses the verb grind (sharpen an axe on a grindstone).
  2. Having hidden selfish motives is not advisable — the sentence makes sense.
  3. 'kill', 'rotate' and 'replace' do not form any idiom with 'axe'.

Yaad rakhein: An axe to grind = a personal agenda / hidden motive.

Answer: (D) grind

अवधारणा: To have an axe to grind = किसी काम के पीछे स्वार्थी या निजी उद्देश्य होना।

  1. यह निश्चित मुहावरा क्रिया grind (कुल्हाड़ी पर धार लगाना) से बनता है।
  2. छिपा स्वार्थ रखना उचित नहीं — वाक्य सार्थक बनता है।
  3. 'kill', 'rotate', 'replace' से कोई मुहावरा नहीं बनता।

याद रखें: An axe to grind = निजी स्वार्थ / छिपा मकसद।

उत्तर: (D) grind

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionIdioms (fill in the blank)SSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q935.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
Chaos
  1. AInsanity
  2. BTidiness
  3. CDisarray
  4. DCertainty
Show answer

Concept: Chaos = complete disorder and confusion.

  1. Disarray = a state of disorganisation — synonym.
  2. 'Tidiness' and 'Certainty' are opposites.
  3. 'Insanity' means madness, not disorder.

Yaad rakhein: Chaos = disarray = turmoil = mayhem; antonym: order.

Answer: (C) Disarray

अवधारणा: Chaos = पूर्ण अव्यवस्था, अफरा-तफरी।

  1. Disarray = अस्त-व्यस्तता — समानार्थी।
  2. 'Tidiness' (साफ़-सुथरापन) और 'Certainty' (निश्चितता) विलोम हैं।
  3. 'Insanity' = पागलपन, अव्यवस्था नहीं।

याद रखें: Chaos = disarray = turmoil = mayhem; विलोम: order।

उत्तर: (C) Disarray (अव्यवस्था)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSynonymsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q936.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
At the eleventh hour
  1. ATime for debate
  2. BVery late in the evening
  3. CA state of confusion
  4. DJust before the deadline
Show answer

Concept: At the eleventh hour = at the last possible moment, just before it is too late.

  1. Example: He submitted the form at the eleventh hour.
  2. Option (D) — just before the deadline — is correct.
  3. 'Very late in the evening' is a literal reading of 'hour'.

Yaad rakhein: Eleventh hour = last minute (one hour before the twelfth, the end).

Answer: (D) Just before the deadline

अवधारणा: At the eleventh hour = बिल्कुल अंतिम समय पर, समय-सीमा से ठीक पहले।

  1. उदाहरण: He submitted the form at the eleventh hour.
  2. विकल्प (D) — समय-सीमा से ठीक पहले — सही है।
  3. 'Very late in the evening' केवल शाब्दिक अर्थ है।

याद रखें: Eleventh hour = आखिरी घड़ी।

उत्तर: (D) Just before the deadline

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionIdiomsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q937.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined words.
A government that takes decisions based on the recommendations of state officials instead of elected representatives
  1. AGerontocracy
  2. BDemocracy
  3. CAutocracy
  4. DBureaucracy
Show answer

Concept: Bureaucracy = government by appointed state officials (civil servants) rather than elected representatives.

  1. The description — decisions by state officials, not elected people — is bureaucracy.
  2. Gerontocracy = rule by old people; Democracy = rule by elected representatives of the people.
  3. Autocracy = rule by one person with absolute power.

Trick: bureau (office) + cracy (rule) = rule by officials.

Answer: (D) Bureaucracy

अवधारणा: Bureaucracy = चुने हुए प्रतिनिधियों के बजाय नियुक्त सरकारी अधिकारियों द्वारा शासन (नौकरशाही)।

  1. अधिकारियों की सिफ़ारिश पर निर्णय, न कि निर्वाचित प्रतिनिधियों के — यही bureaucracy है।
  2. Gerontocracy = वृद्धों का शासन; Democracy = जनता के चुने प्रतिनिधियों का शासन।
  3. Autocracy = एक व्यक्ति का निरंकुश शासन।

ट्रिक: bureau (कार्यालय) + cracy (शासन) = अधिकारियों का शासन।

उत्तर: (D) Bureaucracy (नौकरशाही)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitutionSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q938.
Identify the INCORRECTLY spelt word in the given sentence.
After the severe bus accident, they tried to identify the victims, but the bodies were too manlged to be investigated.
  1. Ainvestigated
  2. Baccident
  3. Cmanlged
  4. Dvictims
Show answer

Concept: Check each word of the sentence against its standard spelling.

  1. investigated, accident and victims are correct.
  2. The correct word is mangled = severely damaged by crushing or tearing (m-a-n-g-l-e-d).
  3. So 'manlged' (letters 'g' and 'l' swapped) is misspelt.

Yaad rakhein: mangle → mangled (like angle → angled).

Answer: (C) manlged

अवधारणा: वाक्य के शब्दों की वर्तनी मानक रूप से मिलाएँ।

  1. investigated, accident, victims सही हैं।
  2. सही शब्द mangled = बुरी तरह कुचला/क्षत-विक्षत (m-a-n-g-l-e-d)।
  3. अतः 'manlged' ('g' और 'l' की जगह बदली) गलत है।

याद रखें: mangle → mangled (जैसे angle → angled)।

उत्तर: (C) manlged

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionSpellingSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q939.
Select the correct meaning of the idiom in bold and italics.
Look, the devil is beating his wife. Do you think we'll see a rainbow?
  1. AOne who presents a counter argument
  2. BIf you have nothing to do, you are likely to do some mischief
  3. CThe sun is shining while it rains
  4. DWhen someone comes in unexpectedly while being talked about
Show answer

Concept: The devil is beating his wife is a folk expression for a sunshower — it rains while the sun is shining.

  1. The second sentence (Do you think we'll see a rainbow?) confirms rain with sunshine.
  2. So the meaning is option (C).
  3. (B) is 'an idle mind is the devil's workshop'; (D) is 'speak of the devil'.

Yaad rakhein: Sun + rain together = 'the devil is beating his wife' → a rainbow may appear.

Answer: (C) The sun is shining while it rains

अवधारणा: The devil is beating his wife एक लोक-अभिव्यक्ति है — धूप खिली हो और साथ में बारिश हो रही हो।

  1. दूसरा वाक्य (Do you think we'll see a rainbow?) धूप-बारिश की पुष्टि करता है।
  2. अतः अर्थ विकल्प (C) है।
  3. (B) 'an idle mind is the devil's workshop' है; (D) 'speak of the devil' है।

याद रखें: धूप + बारिश साथ = 'the devil is beating his wife' → इंद्रधनुष दिख सकता है।

उत्तर: (C) The sun is shining while it rains

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionIdiomsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3
Q940.
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
Better
  1. ABrave
  2. BInferior
  3. CHomely
  4. DFitter
Show answer

Concept: Better = of higher quality or standard (comparative of good).

  1. Its opposite is worse or inferior = lower in quality.
  2. 'Fitter' is close to better (in health), not opposite.
  3. 'Brave' and 'Homely' are unrelated.

Yaad rakhein: Better ↔ inferior / worse; superior ↔ inferior.

Answer: (B) Inferior

अवधारणा: Better = अधिक अच्छा, उत्तम (good का comparative)।

  1. इसका विलोम worse या inferior = निम्न स्तर का।
  2. 'Fitter' तो better के निकट है, विलोम नहीं।
  3. 'Brave' और 'Homely' असंबंधित हैं।

याद रखें: Better ↔ inferior / worse; superior ↔ inferior।

उत्तर: (B) Inferior (निम्नतर)

SSC CPO Paper IEnglish ComprehensionAntonymsSSC CPO Paper I 2022 · 11 Nov Shift 3