SSC-CGL 2025 English
Practice subject-wise previous year questions
Question 226
Comprehension
Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: Neither the teacher nor the students was present in the hall.
A
was not presentB
were also presentC
were presentD
was also not presentQuestion 227
Comprehension
Change the following from active to passive: The analysts will be updating the database during the session.
A
The database was being updated during the session.B
The database will been updated during the session.C
The database will be updated during the session.D
The database will be being updated during the session.Question 228
Comprehension
Select the correct option: The artefact was admired not just for its antiquity but also for the ___ with which it was maintained.
A
severityB
brevityC
meticulousnessD
veracityQuestion 229
Comprehension
A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech. He said, “I may finish the task today.”
A
He said that he will finish that task that day.B
He said that he might finish this task today.C
He said that he might finish that task that day.D
He said he may finish the task today.Question 230
Comprehension
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. This is particularly helpful in collaborative writing, where several authors can revise the same document without confusion. 2. Version tracking is a method that stores changes made to a document over time, allowing earlier drafts to be restored when required. 3. The process relies on certain tools and steps that help record, compare, and manage updates. 4. With version tracking, a team can preserve a full history of edits, making cooperation and rollback far easier .
A
2, 4, 3, 1B
2, 3, 4, 1C
3, 2, 4, 1D
4, 1, 2, 3Question 231
Comprehension
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: LOONY
A
RationalB
StrangeC
ZanyD
RidiculousQuestion 232
Comprehension
What is the overall tone maintained in the passage? Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage: Within the maze of global exchange—where nations negotiate, corporations collaborate, and communities interact— the challenge of intercultural communication remains a demanding mental territory. Confusion often stems less from a shortage of vocabulary and more from symbolic mismatch, where pauses, tone, facial expressions, personal space, or even silence are decoded through clashing cultural assumptions. Believing that speaking a language well automatically ensures effective communication is a harmful miscon ception; fluency can sometimes conceal cultural gaps, letting misunderstanding appear as understanding. In high-context settings—seen in cultures such as Japan and parts of the Arab world —meaning is carried through relationships, indirect hints, shared his tory, and social rank. In contrast, low-context cultures like Germany and the United States value direct statements, objective framing, and individual clarity. When people from these two styles interact, the mismatch may trigger diplomatic strain, inefficient negotiations, or social distance. Even small behaviors—eye contact, conversational timing, or jokes—can create unease when judged from a single -cultural viewpoint. Moreover, mental filters shaped by schooling, tradition, and political conditioning ofte n strengthen in -group approval while branding unfamiliar styles as “wrong” or “inept.” This ethnocentric tendency fuels stereotyping, shrinks empathy, and limits genuine cooperation. Technology, though it seems to shrink distances, can further complicate intercultural exchange. Emojis, for example, are meaning -flexible; the same symbol may convey warmth in one culture and mockery in another . Machine translation, lacking situational nua nce, can turn delicate meaning into awkward distortion. Video calls may also compress or hide paralinguistic signals that support understanding across cultures. Ultimately, crossing these gaps requires self-awareness, cultural humility, and flexible dialogue. Strong intercultural communicators do not only master grammar; they build cultural empathy, question their own perceptions, and develop comfort with uncertainty. Often, the deepest growth arises not by removing differences, but by learning to engage with them.
A
InstructiveB
JubilantC
Critical and reasonedD
Casual and playfulQuestion 233
Comprehension
Which statement best reflects the contradiction highlighted by the author? Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage: Within the maze of global exchange—where nations negotiate, corporations collaborate, and communities interact— the challenge of intercultural communication remains a demanding mental territory. Confusion often stems less from a shortage of vocabulary and more from symbolic mismatch, where pauses, tone, facial expressions, personal space, or even silence are decoded through clashing cultural assumptions. Believing that speaking a language well automatically ensures effective communication is a harmful miscon ception; fluency can sometimes conceal cultural gaps, letting misunderstanding appear as understanding. In high-context settings—seen in cultures such as Japan and parts of the Arab world —meaning is carried through relationships, indirect hints, shared his tory, and social rank. In contrast, low-context cultures like Germany and the United States value direct statements, objective framing, and individual clarity. When people from these two styles interact, the mismatch may trigger diplomatic strain, inefficient negotiations, or social distance. Even small behaviors—eye contact, conversational timing, or jokes—can create unease when judged from a single -cultural viewpoint. Moreover, mental filters shaped by schooling, tradition, and political conditioning often strengthen in -group approval while branding unfamiliar styles as “wrong” or “inept.” This ethnocentric tendency fuels stereotyping, shrinks empathy, and limits genuine cooperation. Technology, though it seems to shrink distances, can further complicate intercultural exchange. Emojis, for example, are meaning -flexible; the same symbol may convey warmth in one culture and mockery in another . Machine translation, lacking situational nua nce, can turn delicate meaning into awkward distortion. Video calls may also compress or hide paralinguistic signals that support understanding across cultures. Ultimately, crossing these gaps requires self-awareness, cultural humility, and flexible dialogue. Strong intercultural communicators do not only master grammar; they build cultural empathy, question their own perceptions, and develop comfort with uncertainty. Often, the deepest growth arises not by removing differences, but by learning to engage with them.
A
Technology always increases cultural harmony.B
Emojis create identical emotions for everyone.C
Even strong language ability can still result in misunderstanding.D
Jokes are understood the same way everywhere.Question 234
Comprehension
The expression “symbolic mismatch” (as used in the passage) most nearly means: Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage: Within the maze of global exchange—where nations negotiate, corporations collaborate, and communities interact— the challenge of intercultural communication remains a demanding mental territory. Confusion often stems less from a shortage of vocabulary and more from symbolic mismatch, where pauses, tone, facial expressions, personal space, or even silence are decoded through clashing cultural assumptions. Believing that speaking a language well automatically ensures effective communication is a harmful miscon ception; fluency can sometimes conceal cultural gaps, letting misunderstanding appear as understanding. In high-context settings—seen in cultures such as Japan and parts of the Arab world —meaning is carried through relationships, indirect hints, shared his tory, and social rank. In contrast, low-context cultures like Germany and the United States value direct statements, objective framing, and individual clarity. When people from these two styles interact, the mismatch may trigger diplomatic strain, inefficient negotiations, or social distance. Even small behaviors—eye contact, conversational timing, or jokes—can create unease when judged from a single -cultural viewpoint. Moreover, mental filters shaped by schooling, tradition, and political conditioning ofte n strengthen in -group approval while branding unfamiliar styles as “wrong” or “inept.” This ethnocentric tendency fuels stereotyping, shrinks empathy, and limits genuine cooperation. Technology, though it seems to shrink distances, can further complicate intercultural exchange. Emojis, for example, are meaning -flexible; the same symbol may convey warmth in one culture and mockery in another . Machine translation, lacking situational nua nce, can turn delicate meaning into awkward distortion. Video calls may also compress or hide paralinguistic signals that support understanding across cultures. Ultimately, crossing these gaps requires self-awareness, cultural humility, and flexible dialogue. Strong intercultural communicators do not only master grammar; they build cultural empathy, question their own perceptions, and develop comfort with uncertainty. Often, the deepest growth arises not by removing differences, but by learning to engage with them.
A
Disagreement in musical notesB
Wrong decoding of cultural signs and cuesC
Failure of internet signalsD
Complete agreement over symbolsQuestion 235
Comprehension
According to the writer, how can technology intensify intercultural miscommunication? Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage: Within the maze of global exchange—where nations negotiate, corporations collaborate, and communities interact— the challenge of intercultural communication remains a demanding mental territory. Confusion often stems less from a shortage of vocabulary and more from symbolic mismatch, where pauses, tone, facial expressions, personal space, or even silence are decoded through clashing cultural assumptions. Believing that speaking a language well automatically ensures effective communication is a harmful misconception; fluency can sometimes conceal cultural gaps, letting misunderstanding appear as understanding. In high-context settings—seen in cultures such as Japan and parts of the Arab world —meaning is carried through relationships, indirect hints, shared history, and social rank. In contrast, low-context cultures like Germany and the United States value direct statements, objective framing, and individual clarity. When people from these two styles interact, the mismatch may trigger diplomatic strain, inefficient negotiations, or social distance. Even small behaviors—eye contact, conversational timing, or jokes—can create unease when judged from a single -cultural viewpoint. Moreover, mental filters shaped by schooling, tradition, and political conditioning often strengthen in -group approval while branding unfamiliar styles as “wrong” or “inept .” This ethnocentric tendency fuels stereotyping, shrinks empathy, and limits genuine cooperation. Technology, though it seems to shrink distances, can further complicate intercultural exchange. Emojis, for example, are meaning -flexible; the same symbol may convey warmth in one culture and mockery in another . Machine translation, lacking situational nua nce, can turn delicate meaning into awkward distortion. Video calls may also compress or hide paralinguistic signals that support understanding across cultures. Ultimately, crossing these gaps requires self-awareness, cultural humility, and flexible dialogue. Strong intercultural communicators do not only master grammar; they build cultural empathy, question their own perceptions, and develop comfort with uncertainty. Often, the deepest growth arises not by removing differences, but by learning to engage with them.
A
By increasing face-to-face contactB
By eliminating the need to understand languageC
By reducing non-verbal signals and distorting intended meaningD
By promoting impulsive interactionQuestion 236
Comprehension
. Which metaphor most appropriately aligns with the passage’s main idea? Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage: Within the maze of global exchange—where nations negotiate, corporations collaborate, and communities interact— the challenge of intercultural communication remains a demanding mental territory. Confusion often stems less from a shortage of vocabulary and more from symbolic mismatch, where pauses, tone, facial expressions, personal space, or even silence are decoded through clashing cultural assumptions. Believing that speaking a language well automatically ensures effective communication is a harmful miscon ception; fluency can sometimes conceal cultural gaps, letting misunderstanding appear as understanding. In high-context settings—seen in cultures such as Japan and parts of the Arab world —meaning is carried through relationships, indirect hints, shared his tory, and social rank. In contrast, low-context cultures like Germany and the United States value direct statements, objective framing, and individual clarity. When people from these two styles interact, the mismatch may trigger diplomatic strain, inefficient negotiations, or social distance. Even small behaviors—eye contact, conversational timing, or jokes—can create unease when judged from a single -cultural viewpoint. Moreover, mental filters shaped by schooling, tradition, and political conditioning ofte n strengthen in -group approval while branding unfamiliar styles as “wrong” or “inept.” This ethnocentric tendency fuels stereotyping, shrinks empathy, and limits genuine cooperation. Technology, though it seems to shrink distances, can further complicate intercultural exchange. Emojis, for example, are meaning -flexible; the same symbol may convey warmth in one culture and mockery in another . Machine translation, lacking situational nua nce, can turn delicate meaning into awkward distortion. Video calls may also compress or hide paralinguistic signals that support understanding across cultures. Ultimately, crossing these gaps requires self-awareness, cultural humility, and flexible dialogue. Strong intercultural communicators do not only master grammar; they build cultural empathy, question their own perceptions, and develop comfort with uncertainty. Often, the deepest growth arises not by removing differences, but by learning to engage with them.
A
A road with no destinationB
A window showing only one sideC
A maze with shifting pathwaysD
A staircase reaching one fixed summitQuestion 237
Comprehension
Spot the correctly spelt term related to weather science.
A
MetrologyB
MeteorologyC
MeteorlogieD
MetreologyQuestion 238
Comprehension
Choose the correct meaning of idiom: Bite the dust
A
To win with easeB
To fall or be defeatedC
To hide the truthD
To complain loudlyQuestion 239
Comprehension
Choose the correct phrasal verb: Since the topic was extremely sensitive, she decided to _____ it entirely.
A
lean overB
shy away fromC
walk intoD
brush asideQuestion 240
Comprehension
A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. He said that he used to visit his grandparents during holidays.
A
“I visited my grandparents during holidays,” he said.B
“I use to visit my grandparents during holidays,” he said.C
“I used to visit my grandparents during holidays,” he said.D
“I was visiting my grandparents during holidays,” he said.Question 241
Comprehension
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: SUCCUMB
A
RefuseB
AdmitC
YieldD
AcceptQuestion 242
Comprehension
Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: They enjoyed a lot during the picnic.
A
have enjoyed a lotB
enjoyed themselves a lotC
enjoyed during the picnicD
were enjoyedQuestion 243
Comprehension
Choose the correct one-word substitution for: “A hidden / coded method of writing.”
A
EpitaphB
CipherC
EpistleD
DiatribeQuestion 244
Comprehension
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: CLARIFY
A
ExplainB
ConfuseC
ConcealD
DistortQuestion 245
Comprehension
Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: Not only the chairman but also the members (1)/ has been charged with violating (2)/ the rules mentioned in the official notice (3)/ during the proceedings. (4)/
A
(1)B
(2)C
(3)D
(4)Question 246
Comprehension
Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The historian described the vault above the ancient hall.
A
The athlete executed a clean vault in the gymnastics final.B
The banker checked the vault before closing the branch.C
The cathedral’s vault displayed intricate carved patterns.D
The old vault collapsed after years of neglect.Question 247
Comprehension
Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure: The employees were made to attend the briefing by the supervisor .
A
The supervisor was made to attend the briefing.B
The supervisor had made the employees attended the briefing.C
The supervisor made the employees attend the briefing.D
The supervisor was attending the briefing for the employees.Question 248
Comprehension
Choose the correct one-word substitution for: “An official, general forgiveness declared by the State.”
A
ParoleB
AmnestyC
ClemencyD
RemissionQuestion 249
Comprehension
Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: The organisation requires a detailed feedback (1)/ from each department (2)/ before finalising its restructuring plan (3)/ for the next financial year . (4)/
A
(1)B
(2)C
(3)D
(4)Question 250
Comprehension
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. A practical step is to expand energy options by shifting from fossil fuels to renewables like solar, wind, and geothermal power . 2. To lessen the most severe impacts of climate change, the world must sharply cut dependence on high-carbon energy production. 3. This transition not only lowers greenhouse gas output but also improves air quality and generates fresh job opportunities. 4. Moreover, policies supporting efficiency in housing and transport can further reduce total energy use.
A
2, 1, 3, 4B
1, 2, 3, 4C
4, 1, 2, 3D
2, 3, 1, 4