SSC CGL Undated PYQs

Question 1

What will be the net discount (in %) of two successive discounts of 15% and 35%?

Accepted Answer

Use the successive discount formula: x + y - (xy/100). Here, 15 + 35 - (15 × 35)/100 = 50 - 5.25 = 44.75%.

Question 2

What is the sum of the first 12 terms of an arithmetic progression if the 3rd term is -13 and the 6th term is -4?

Accepted Answer

Given a+2d=-13 and a+5d=-4. Solving these gives d=3 and a=-19. The sum of the first 12 terms is 6[2(-19) + 11(3)] = 6[-38+33] = -30.

Question 3

Select the odd word from the given alternatives. SSC CGL 2017 TIER I AUGUST 20, 2017 SHIFT 2 QUESTION PAPER

Accepted Answer

Hills, valleys, and mountains are natural geographical landforms of the earth. Trees are living plants that grow on these landforms, making 'Trees' the odd one out.

Question 4

The ﬁnal boundary between the Earth and the outer space is called _____.

Accepted Answer

The magnetopause is the abrupt boundary between a planet's magnetic field (magnetosphere) and the solar wind. It acts as the final frontier separating Earth from deep outer space.

Question 5

A few organisms can tolerate and thrive in a wide range of temperatures. Such organisms are called ___________.

Accepted Answer

Eurythermal organisms can survive and thrive across a broad range of temperatures. In contrast, stenothermal organisms are restricted to a very narrow temperature range.

Question 6

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active voice. The class is required to watch a video tutorial every day.

Accepted Answer

The original sentence uses 'is required to watch', indicating a passive structure with an infinitive. The correct passive conversion maintains this structure: 'is required to be watched'.

Question 7

What is the compound interest (in Rs) for 1 year on a sum of Rs 20000 at the rate of 40% per annum compounding half yearly?

Accepted Answer

Half-yearly rate is 20% and time is 2 cycles. Effective rate = 20 + 20 + (20*20)/100 = 44%. Compound interest = 44% of 20000 = Rs 8800.

Question 8

The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
Had you / not reached in time, / we will have / lost our lives.

Accepted Answer

This is a Type 3 conditional sentence (unreal past). The correct structure for the main clause should be 'would have + past participle', not 'will have'. Therefore, 'we will have' should be 'we would have'.

Question 9

Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in
the right order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A. When we got near, we saw it was the steam rising from hot springs. 
B. We saw in the distance a great column of smoke.
C. We wondered if it came from a chimney or a burning house.
D. We thought of taking a bath in the hot water.

Accepted Answer

Sentence B introduces the 'column of smoke'. Sentence C describes the initial thoughts about its origin. Sentence A clarifies what the smoke actually was, and D follows logically as a reaction to discovering it was hot springs.

Question 10

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Bang for the buck

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'bang for the buck' means to get good value or a good return for the money spent. Therefore, 'more value for money' is the most appropriate meaning.

Question 11

Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence. If no substitution is required, select ‘No substitution’. 
While washing your hands, rub them together for 20 seconds to remove the microbes
on them.

Accepted Answer

The original sentence uses 'them' correctly as a possessive pronoun referring to 'hands'. The given correct answer 'the microbes on their' is incorrect as 'their' is a possessive adjective, not a pronoun, and 'them' is already correct. Therefore, no substitution is required.

Question 12

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
Generic

Accepted Answer

The word 'Generic' means characteristic of or relating to a whole class or group; not specific. 'Universal' means applicable to all cases; true for all time. Therefore, 'Universal' is the most appropriate synonym.

Question 13

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
India is formally moving ahead to ______ 21 MIG-29 and 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters from
Russia along with upgrades of their existing fleets.

Accepted Answer

The verb 'procure' means to obtain something, especially with care or effort. In the context of acquiring military aircraft from another country, 'procure' is the most appropriate and formal term. The other options do not fit the context of acquiring goods.

Question 14

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
Seize

Accepted Answer

The word 'Seize' means to take hold of something suddenly and forcibly. The antonym would be to release or let go. 'Loosen' means to make something less tight or firm, which is the opposite of seizing.

Question 15

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice.
The invigilator is advising the students not to carry calculators into the examination
hall.

Accepted Answer

The given sentence is in the present continuous tense (is advising). To convert it to passive voice, we use 'is/are being + past participle'. Option 4 correctly applies this rule.

Question 16

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
Work and domestic ______ made Kajal short-tempered.

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is 'pressures'. 'Work and domestic pressures' is a common collocation referring to the stress and demands from work and home life. While 'weights' can imply burden, 'pressures' more accurately describes the mental and emotional strain leading to short-temper.

Question 17

John Maynard Keynes, best known for his economic theories (Keynesian economics),
hailed from which country?

Accepted Answer

John Maynard Keynes was a British economist whose ideas fundamentally changed the theory and practice of macroeconomics and the economic policies of governments. He was born in Cambridge, England.

Question 18

Methane is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic but flammable gas. What is its common
name?

Accepted Answer

Methane is commonly known as marsh gas because it is produced naturally in marshes, swamps, and other wetlands through anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. The question describes methane's properties and asks for its common name.

Question 19

In the sequence of planets in the solar system, which planet comes in between Mars
and Saturn?

Accepted Answer

The correct order of planets from the Sun is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Therefore, Jupiter comes between Mars and Saturn.

Question 20

Which city of India is known as 'The Athens of the East'?

Accepted Answer

The question asks for the city known as 'The Athens of the East'. This is a direct general knowledge fact. Madurai is famously known by this epithet due to its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, and historical significance, similar to Athens in Greece.