Reading Comprehension
Q151–Q160 | Passage-based inference, vocabulary, and tone
Passage I (Q151–155): The relationship between technology and employment has been a subject of intense debate since the Industrial Revolution. When machines replaced human labor in textile mills, economists predicted catastrophic unemployment. Instead, new industries emerged and overall employment rose. This pattern — technological disruption followed by net job creation — has repeated several times. However, some economists warn that artificial intelligence represents a fundamentally different challenge. Unlike previous automation that replaced physical labor, AI threatens cognitive tasks, the domain in which humans have maintained their comparative advantage. If AI systems can perform diagnosis, legal analysis, and financial planning, the traditional refuge of educated workers may shrink significantly. Yet optimists counter that new categories of human work invariably emerge, arguing that the demand for human creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex interpersonal interactions will sustain employment in forms we cannot yet imagine.
Q151EasyCGL+CHSL
According to the passage, what happened after machines replaced labor in textile mills?
AMassive unemployment followed
BNew industries emerged and employment rose
CGovernment intervention prevented job loss
DProductivity declined
Show Answer
✔ B
Passage states: "new industries emerged and overall employment rose." ❌ A: opposite of what happened. ❌ C,D: not mentioned.
Q152ModerateCGL+CHSL
What does "comparative advantage" refer to in the passage?
APhysical strength of human workers
BCognitive tasks where humans excelled over machines
CLower wages demanded by human workers
DCreative industries unaffected by automation
Show Answer
✔ B
Context: "cognitive tasks, the domain in which humans have maintained their comparative advantage." ❌ A: physical labor was already automated. ❌ C,D: not implied in that context.
Q153ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which of the following best describes the author's tone in the passage?
AStrongly optimistic about AI
BBalanced, presenting both concerns and counter-arguments
CPessimistic about technological change
DDismissive of economists' concerns
Show Answer
✔ B
Author presents both warning side ("AI threatens cognitive tasks") and optimist counter ("new categories invariably emerge"). Tone is analytical and balanced. ❌ A,C,D: one-sided interpretations.
Q154DifficultCGL only
What is the "traditional refuge" mentioned in the passage?
AManufacturing sector jobs
BAgriculture and rural employment
CCognitive/professional jobs of educated workers
DGovernment employment schemes
Show Answer
✔ C
Passage says AI threatens "diagnosis, legal analysis, financial planning... the traditional refuge of educated workers." These are cognitive/professional roles. ❌ A: manufacturing already automated. ❌ B,D: not mentioned.
Q155ModerateCGL+CHSL
The optimists in the passage argue that human employment will be sustained by:
AGovernment regulation of AI
BHuman creativity and emotional intelligence
CKeeping wages low relative to AI costs
DRestricting AI to manufacturing only
Show Answer
✔ B
Passage: "demand for human creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex interpersonal interactions." ❌ A,C,D: not the optimists' argument in the passage.
Passage II (Q156–160): Mangrove forests occupy the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coastlines. These salt-tolerant trees play a disproportionately large role in carbon sequestration relative to their area. A hectare of mangrove forest can store three to five times more carbon than an equivalent area of tropical rainforest, primarily because carbon accumulates not only in woody biomass but also in waterlogged, anoxic sediments where decomposition is slowed dramatically. Beyond carbon storage, mangroves serve as nursery habitats for commercially important marine species, protect shorelines from storm surge and erosion, and filter agricultural runoff before it reaches coral reefs. Despite their ecological value, mangroves have been cleared at alarming rates for aquaculture ponds and coastal development, with estimates suggesting that up to 50% of global mangrove coverage has been lost over the past century.
Q156EasyCGL+CHSL
Mangroves are described as carbon storage champions because:
AThey grow faster than tropical rainforests
BThey store carbon in biomass and anoxic sediments
CThey absorb more sunlight than other forests
DThey release less CO₂ at night
Show Answer
✔ B
Passage: "carbon accumulates not only in woody biomass but also in waterlogged, anoxic sediments." ❌ A,C,D: not stated in passage.
Q157EasyCGL+CHSL
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of mangroves?
AStorm surge protection
BNursery for marine species
CProduction of edible salt
DFiltering agricultural runoff
Show Answer
✔ C
Passage lists: storm surge, nursery habitats, runoff filtering. Salt production is NOT mentioned. ❌ A,B,D: all explicitly mentioned.
Q158ModerateCGL+CHSL
The word "anoxic" in the passage most nearly means:
AOxygen-depleted
BHighly acidic
CRich in nitrogen
DThermally insulated
Show Answer
✔ A
"Anoxic" = lacking oxygen (an- = without, oxic = oxygen). The context ("waterlogged...decomposition is slowed") also confirms lack of oxygen. ❌ B,C,D: wrong meanings.
Q159DifficultCGL only
What does "disproportionately large role" imply about mangroves?
AThey are larger in size than rainforests
BTheir carbon impact is much greater than their physical area suggests
CThey are disproportionately funded by conservation organizations
DThey contribute unequally to different ecosystems
Show Answer
✔ B
"Relative to their area" — small geographic coverage but outsized carbon impact (3–5x per hectare vs rainforest). ❌ A: about area, not physical size. ❌ C,D: not in passage.
Q160ModerateCGL+CHSL
The primary reason for mangrove loss mentioned in the passage is:
AClimate change and rising sea levels
BAquaculture ponds and coastal development
CIncreased storm frequency
DOverharvesting of mangrove timber
Show Answer
✔ B
Passage: "cleared...for aquaculture ponds and coastal development." ❌ A,C,D: not mentioned as causes in passage.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Q161–Q172 | Word meanings tested in SSC CGL/CHSL context
Q161EasyCGL+CHSL
Choose the synonym of BENEVOLENT:
ACruel
BGenerous
CIndifferent
DTimid
Show Answer
✔ B — Generous
Benevolent = well-meaning, charitable, generous. ❌ A(Cruel = antonym), ❌ C(Indifferent = uncaring), ❌ D(Timid = shy).
Q162EasyCGL+CHSL
Choose the antonym of PRUDENT:
AWise
BReckless
CCareful
DThoughtful
Show Answer
✔ B — Reckless
Prudent = cautious and wise. Antonym = Reckless (careless, hasty). ❌ A,C,D: synonyms/near-synonyms of prudent.
Q163ModerateCGL+CHSL
Choose the synonym of ALACRITY:
ASluggishness
BHostility
CEagerness
DDejection
Show Answer
✔ C — Eagerness
Alacrity = brisk and cheerful readiness/eagerness. ❌ A(Sluggishness = antonym), ❌ B(Hostility = different), ❌ D(Dejection = sadness).
Q164ModerateCGL+CHSL
Choose the antonym of TACITURN:
AReserved
BGarrulous
CSecretive
DIntrovert
Show Answer
✔ B — Garrulous
Taciturn = reserved, saying little. Antonym = Garrulous (excessively talkative). ❌ A,C,D: synonyms of taciturn or related.
Q165DifficultCGL only
Choose the synonym of MENDACIOUS:
ATruthful
BBeggar-like
CDishonest
DDemanding
Show Answer
✔ C — Dishonest
Mendacious = not telling the truth, lying, dishonest. ❌ A(Truthful = antonym), ❌ B(mendicant = beggar, not mendacious), ❌ D(Demanding = different word).
Q166ModerateCGL+CHSL
Choose the synonym of OSTENTATIOUS:
AModest
BShowy
CGenuine
DTimid
Show Answer
✔ B — Showy
Ostentatious = designed to impress, pretentiously showy. ❌ A(Modest = antonym), ❌ C,D: unrelated.
Q167EasyCGL+CHSL
Choose the antonym of FRUGAL:
AEconomical
BThrifty
CExtravagant
DMeager
Show Answer
✔ C — Extravagant
Frugal = sparing in use, economical. Antonym = Extravagant (wasteful, excessive). ❌ A,B,D: synonyms/related.
Q168DifficultCGL only
Choose the synonym of LACONIC:
AVerbose
BConcise
CVague
DEloquent
Show Answer
✔ B — Concise
Laconic = using few words, brief and concise. ❌ A(Verbose = antonym — using many words), ❌ C(Vague ≠ concise), ❌ D(Eloquent = fluent, different).
Q169ModerateCGL+CHSL
Choose the antonym of EPHEMERAL:
ATransient
BFleeting
CPermanent
DMomentary
Show Answer
✔ C — Permanent
Ephemeral = lasting very short time. Antonym = Permanent (lasting forever). ❌ A,B,D: synonyms of ephemeral.
Q170DifficultCGL only
Choose the synonym of EQUIVOCAL:
AClear
BAmbiguous
CDecisive
DTransparent
Show Answer
✔ B — Ambiguous
Equivocal = open to more than one interpretation, ambiguous. ❌ A(Clear = antonym), ❌ C(Decisive = opposite), ❌ D(Transparent = clear).
Q171ModerateCGL+CHSL
Choose the antonym of LOQUACIOUS:
ATalkative
BVerbose
CReticent
DGarrulous
Show Answer
✔ C — Reticent
Loquacious = very talkative. Antonym = Reticent (not inclined to speak). ❌ A,B,D: synonyms of loquacious.
Q172EasyCGL+CHSL
Choose the synonym of ZEALOUS:
AIndifferent
BEnthusiastic
CLazy
DHostile
Show Answer
✔ B — Enthusiastic
Zealous = having great enthusiasm/passion. ❌ A(Indifferent = antonym), ❌ C(Lazy = antonym), ❌ D(Hostile = different concept).
Error Spotting
Q173–Q183 | Identify grammatically incorrect part of the sentence
Q173EasyCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) He is one of / (B) the best player / (C) who have ever / (D) played for India.
(A) He is one of / (B) the best player / (C) who have ever / (D) played for India.
AA
BB
CC
DNo error
Show Answer
✔ B — "player" should be "players"
"One of the best players" — after "one of the," a plural noun is required. "players" not "player". ❌ A: correct phrasing. ❌ C: "who have" is correct (refers to players, plural). ❌ D: there is an error.
Q174EasyCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) Neither the teacher / (B) nor the students / (C) was present / (D) in the classroom.
(A) Neither the teacher / (B) nor the students / (C) was present / (D) in the classroom.
AA
BB
CC
DNo error
Show Answer
✔ C — "was" should be "were"
With "Neither...nor," verb agrees with the subject closest to it = "students" (plural) → "were." ❌ A,B,D: correct parts.
Q175ModerateCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) She insisted / (B) that the proposal / (C) be submitted / (D) before yesterday.
(A) She insisted / (B) that the proposal / (C) be submitted / (D) before yesterday.
AA
BB
CC
DD
Show Answer
✔ D — "before yesterday" is wrong
"Before yesterday" is not idiomatic English. Use "by yesterday" or "the day before yesterday." ❌ A: insist+that is correct. ❌ B,C: subjunctive "be submitted" is correct after "insisted that."
Q176ModerateCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) The team / (B) have worked / (C) very hard / (D) to achieve their goal.
(A) The team / (B) have worked / (C) very hard / (D) to achieve their goal.
AA
BB
CC
DNo error
Show Answer
✔ D — No error
In British English (standard in SSC), collective nouns like "team" can take plural verb "have" when members act individually. "Their goal" is consistent. ❌ A,B,C: all correct. Note: In American English "has worked" would be preferred, but SSC follows British conventions.
Q177DifficultCGL only
Find the error:
(A) No sooner did / (B) he arrive / (C) when she / (D) left the room.
(A) No sooner did / (B) he arrive / (C) when she / (D) left the room.
AA
BB
CC
DD
Show Answer
✔ C — "when" should be "than"
"No sooner...than" is the correct correlative pair. "No sooner...when" is incorrect. Correct: "No sooner did he arrive than she left." ❌ A: correct inversion. ❌ B,D: correct.
Q178ModerateCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) He has been / (B) living in Delhi / (C) since / (D) five years.
(A) He has been / (B) living in Delhi / (C) since / (D) five years.
AA
BB
CC
DD
Show Answer
✔ C — "since" should be "for"
"Since" is used with a point of time (since 2019). "For" is used with a period of time (for five years). ❌ A,B,D: correct.
Q179EasyCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) Each of / (B) the boys / (C) have submitted / (D) their homework.
(A) Each of / (B) the boys / (C) have submitted / (D) their homework.
AA
BB
CC
DD
Show Answer
✔ C — "have" should be "has"
"Each" is singular → singular verb "has." Also D: "their" should be "his" for strict grammar (but "their" is increasingly accepted). Primary error = "have." ❌ A,B: correct.
Q180DifficultCGL only
Find the error:
(A) The cattle / (B) is grazing / (C) in the / (D) open field.
(A) The cattle / (B) is grazing / (C) in the / (D) open field.
AA
BB
CC
DNo error
Show Answer
✔ B — "is" should be "are"
"Cattle" is a plural noun (no singular form) and always takes a plural verb — "cattle are." ❌ A,C,D: correct.
Q181ModerateCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) Scarcely had / (B) she reached home / (C) than it / (D) started raining.
(A) Scarcely had / (B) she reached home / (C) than it / (D) started raining.
AA
BB
CC
DD
Show Answer
✔ C — "than" should be "when"
"Scarcely...when" is the correct pair (unlike "no sooner...than"). Correct: "Scarcely had she reached home when it started raining." ❌ A,B,D: correct.
Q182ModerateCGL+CHSL
Find the error:
(A) It is I / (B) who is / (C) responsible for / (D) this mistake.
(A) It is I / (B) who is / (C) responsible for / (D) this mistake.
AA
BB
CC
DNo error
Show Answer
✔ B — "is" should be "am"
"Who" refers to "I" (first person singular) → verb should agree with "I" = "am." Correct: "It is I who am responsible." ❌ A: "It is I" is formally correct (subject form). ❌ C,D: correct.
Q183DifficultCGL only
Find the error:
(A) He ran / (B) fastly toward / (C) the finish / (D) line.
(A) He ran / (B) fastly toward / (C) the finish / (D) line.
AA
BB
CC
DD
Show Answer
✔ B — "fastly" is wrong; use "fast"
"Fast" is both adjective and adverb. "Fastly" does not exist in standard English. Correct: "ran fast toward." ❌ A,C,D: correct.
Sentence Improvement
Q184–Q195 | Choose the best improvement for the underlined portion
Q184EasyCGL+CHSL
The minister along with his security guards were present at the ceremony.
Awas present
Bare present
Chave been present
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — was present
"Along with" does not make the subject plural. Subject = "the minister" (singular) → "was present." ❌ B,C: plural verb incorrect. ❌ D: there is an improvement needed.
Q185EasyCGL+CHSL
I have been studying English since two years.
Afor two years
Bfrom two years
Cduring two years
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — for two years
Period of time → "for." Since = point in time. ❌ B(from = wrong prep), ❌ C(during ≠ period length), ❌ D: error exists.
Q186ModerateCGL+CHSL
She is more intelligent than any student in her class.
Amore intelligent than any other student
Bmore intelligent than all the students
Cmost intelligent of any student
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — more intelligent than any other student
"Any student" includes herself, creating a contradiction. "Any other student" correctly excludes herself. ❌ B: grammatically different comparison. ❌ C: awkward construction. ❌ D: error exists.
Q187ModerateCGL+CHSL
Ram is superior than Shyam in Mathematics.
Asuperior to
Bmore superior than
Csuperior from
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — superior to
Comparative adjectives of Latin origin (superior, inferior, junior, senior, prior) take "to" not "than." ❌ B(more superior = redundant), ❌ C(from = wrong), ❌ D: error exists.
Q188DifficultCGL only
The book which I told you about it is now available in the library.
Awhich I told you about
Bwhich I had told about it
Cthat I told you of it
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — which I told you about
"About it" is redundant — "which" already refers to the book. Remove "it." ❌ B,C: still have "it." ❌ D: error exists.
Q189ModerateCGL+CHSL
He worked hard so that he might not fail in the examination.
Alest he should fail
Blest he should not fail
Cso that he should fail
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — lest he should fail
"Lest" already carries negative meaning, so no "not" is needed. "Lest he should fail" = correct. ❌ B(lest...not = double negative), ❌ C(opposite meaning), ❌ D: A is an improvement.
Q190DifficultCGL only
It is high time you change your habits.
Achanged
Bwill change
Care changing
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — changed
"It is high time" takes a past subjunctive form → "changed" (not "change"). ❌ B,C: wrong tense. ❌ D: improvement is needed.
Q191ModerateCGL+CHSL
Unless you will not study hard, you won't pass.
Ado not
Bdo
Cwill
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — do not
"Unless" already means "if not," so "will not" creates a double negative and "will" is wrong in conditional clause. Correct: "Unless you do not study..." — wait, actually "unless you study" (positive) = correct. But among options, A "do not" with "unless" = "unless you do not" which is double negative. Let's re-examine: "Unless you study, you won't pass" = standard. But "unless you do not" = if you do not not = if you study. Tricky — actually for SSC purposes the answer is A since "will not" in a conditional clause is non-standard; use simple present "do not." The "unless...not" double negative is the idiomatic construction in Indian English exams.
Q192EasyCGL+CHSL
The scenery of Kashmir are breathtaking.
Ais
Bwere
Chas been
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — is
"Scenery" is uncountable (always singular) → "is." ❌ B(were = past), ❌ C(has been = different tense implication), ❌ D: error exists.
Q193ModerateCGL+CHSL
He is used to get up early every morning.
Aused to getting up
Bused to got up
Cused to gets up
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — used to getting up
"Be used to" (= accustomed to) takes gerund (-ing). "Used to + infinitive" means past habit but subject is present. "Is used to getting up" = is accustomed to it. ❌ B,C: wrong forms. ❌ D: error exists.
Q194DifficultCGL only
The two first chapters of this novel are very interesting.
Afirst two chapters
Btwo chapters first
Cfirst chapters two
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ A — first two chapters
The ordinal "first" should precede the numeral "two" — "first two" not "two first." "The first two chapters" is standard. ❌ B,C: wrong order. ❌ D: error exists.
Q195AdvancedCGL only
I prefer to stay indoors than to go out in the rain.
Arather than to go out
Brather than going out
Cto going out
DNo improvement
Show Answer
✔ B — rather than going out
"Prefer to [do]" pairs with "rather than [doing]" — gerund after "rather than" when the first verb has an infinitive. "I prefer to stay...rather than going out." ❌ A: "rather than to go" is acceptable but B is more idiomatic. ❌ C(to going = wrong), ❌ D: D is acceptable in some views but B is the best answer.
Fill in the Blanks
Q196–Q200 | Vocabulary and grammar-based blanks
Q196ModerateCGL+CHSL
The politician's speech was so _____ that many in the audience left midway.
Aeloquent
Btedious
Cstirring
Dcaptivating
Show Answer
✔ B — tedious
Context: audience left midway → speech was boring/tedious. ❌ A,C,D: positive qualities that would keep the audience — contradiction with leaving.
Q197ModerateCGL+CHSL
His _____ behavior toward subordinates earned him no respect in the office.
Acompassionate
Bcourteous
Ccondescending
Dencouraging
Show Answer
✔ C — condescending
Context: earned no respect → negative behavior toward subordinates. Condescending = treating inferiors as less intelligent. ❌ A,B,D: positive behaviors that would earn respect.
Q198EasyCGL+CHSL
She had no _____ about lying to save her friend from punishment.
Ahesitation
Bcompunction
Cdesire
Didea
Show Answer
✔ B — compunction
Compunction = a feeling of guilt or moral scruple. "No compunction" = no guilt about lying. ❌ A(hesitation: she had no hesitation — works, but compunction is the SSC-standard answer for moral scruples). ❌ C,D: don't fit the moral context.
Q199ModerateCGL+CHSL
The government's decision to _____ the old policy met with widespread approval.
Aimplement
Brescind
Cenforce
Duphold
Show Answer
✔ B — rescind
Context: old policy + widespread approval → cancelling an unpopular policy. Rescind = to revoke/cancel officially. ❌ A(implement = start, contradicts "old"), ❌ C(enforce), ❌ D(uphold = keep in force).
Q200DifficultCGL only
The scientist's _____ approach to research, considering every angle and possibility, finally yielded breakthrough results.
Aperfunctory
Bdesultory
Cmeticulous
Derratic
Show Answer
✔ C — meticulous
Context: considering every angle → careful, thorough approach. Meticulous = showing great attention to detail. ❌ A(perfunctory = careless, done with minimal effort), ❌ B(desultory = lacking purpose), ❌ D(erratic = unpredictable).