SSC CGL Undated PYQs

Question 1

Select the most appropriate word to substitute the underlined word of the given sentence. If
no substitution is required, select ‘No improvement’. 
There is a great degrade in values in modern age.

Accepted Answer

The original sentence uses 'degrade' incorrectly as a noun. The correct noun form is 'degradation', and the correct preposition to follow it when referring to values is 'of'. Therefore, 'degradation of values' is the most appropriate substitution.

Question 2

Select the synonym of the given word. 
PATHETIC

Accepted Answer

The word 'pathetic' primarily means arousing pity, but it can also be used to describe something miserably inadequate or insignificant. Among the given options, 'insignificant' best captures this secondary meaning, making it a suitable synonym.

Question 3

Select the most appropriate word to ﬁll in the blank. 
It is an ______ day to start your new business.

Accepted Answer

The sentence implies a positive start for a new business. 'Auspicious' means conducive to success; favorable, which perfectly fits the context. The other options have negative or irrelevant meanings.

Question 4

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.
Nelson said, “I was playing cricket.”

Accepted Answer

When converting direct speech to indirect speech, the past continuous tense ('was playing') changes to past perfect continuous tense ('had been playing'). Also, the pronoun 'I' changes to 'he' to reflect Nelson as the speaker.

Question 5

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
Humdrum

Accepted Answer

The word 'humdrum' means dull, monotonous, or lacking excitement. Therefore, 'boring' is the most appropriate synonym.

Question 6

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
Controlled

Accepted Answer

The word 'Controlled' means to be restrained or kept in check. The most appropriate antonym is 'Excited', which implies a lack of restraint and a state of high emotion or agitation.

Question 7

Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.

Accepted Answer

The question asks to identify the incorrectly spelled word. 'Speach' is misspelled; the correct spelling is 'Speech'. The other words are spelled correctly.

Question 8

Select the most appropriate option to ﬁll in the blank.
The worst possible ______ for human society is that we will destroy ourselves with nuclear
weapons.

Accepted Answer

The sentence describes a future event that is considered the worst possible outcome. 'Prediction' is the most suitable word as it refers to a statement about what will happen in the future. The other options do not fit the context of foreseeing a future event.

Question 9

Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
A person employed to drive a private or hired car

Accepted Answer

The term 'chauffeur' specifically refers to a person employed to drive a private or hired car. The other options refer to drivers of different vehicles or roles.

Question 10

Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words. 
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing

Accepted Answer

The given phrase 'The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing' perfectly defines 'Rhetoric'. The other options do not fit this definition.

Question 11

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. At its height, around 1,200 years ago, the city of Calakmul had a population of about
50,000 people, but the kingdom as a whole numbered more than 1.5 million.
B. Deep in the jungle of southern Mexico lie the ruins of a city that thrived for centuries
before it was abandoned more than 1,000 years ago. 
C. Archaeologists have uncovered 6,750 structures here—the largest is this pyramid temple,
called, simply, 'Structure 2.' 
D. Calakmul was once one of the two duelling superpowers—along with Tikal—of the
Classical Mayan civilisation.

Accepted Answer

Sentence B introduces the topic of the ruins of a city. Sentence D identifies this city as Calakmul and provides context. Sentence C describes the structures found there, and A gives details about its population at its height, logically following the introduction and identification.

Question 12

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
Lessen

Accepted Answer

The word 'Lessen' means to make something smaller or less. The most appropriate antonym is 'Increase', which means to make something larger or greater.

Question 13

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice.
Nobody fed him when he was starving.

Accepted Answer

To change the sentence to passive voice, the object 'him' becomes the subject 'He', and the verb 'fed' changes to 'was fed'. Since the original sentence is negative ('Nobody fed him'), the passive voice should also be negative ('He was not fed'). The tense (simple past) must be maintained.

Question 14

Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.

Accepted Answer

The word 'Gingar' is incorrectly spelled. The correct spelling is 'Ginger'. The other words 'Giggle', 'Girdle', and 'Giant' are all spelled correctly.

Question 15

Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark
(?) in the following series.
50, 67, 86, 107, ?

Accepted Answer

The series follows a pattern where the difference between consecutive terms increases by 2 each time. The differences are +17, +19, +21. Therefore, the next difference should be +23, making the next term 107 + 23 = 130.

Question 16

Study the given matrix carefully and select the number from among the given options
that can replace the question mark (?) in it.
13 6 75
15 8 ?
18 4 70

Accepted Answer

The pattern is (First Number - Second Number) * 10 + (First Number - Second Number) / 2. For the first row: (13-6)*10 + (13-6)/2 = 7*10 + 7/2 = 70 + 3.5 = 73.5, which is not 75. Let's try (First Number * Second Number) - (First Number + Second Number). For the first row: (13*6) - (13+6) = 78 - 19 = 59, not 75. Let's try (First Number * Second Number) + (First Number - Second Number). For the first row: (13*6) + (13-6) = 78 + 7 = 85, not 75. Let's try (First Number * Second Number) - (First Number - Second Number). For the first row: (13*6) - (13-6) = 78 - 7 = 71, not 75. Let's try (First Number * Second Number) + (Second Number - First Number). For the first row: (13*6) + (6-13) = 78 - 7 = 71, not 75. Let's try (First Number * Second Number) + (First Number / 2). For the first row: (13*6) + (13/2) = 78 + 6.5 = 84.5, not 75. Let's try (First Number * Second Number) - (Second Number / 2). For the first row: (13*6) - (6/2) = 78 - 3 = 75. This pattern works for the first row. For the third row: (18*4) - (4/2) = 72 - 2 = 70. This pattern works for the third row. Applying this pattern to the second row: (15*8) - (8/2) = 120 - 4 = 116. So, the missing number is 116.

Question 17

‘Povadas’ is a popular folk dance from the state of ______.

Accepted Answer

Povadas are traditional Marathi ballads that narrate historical events and heroic deeds, often performed as a folk dance. They are a popular cultural form originating from the state of Maharashtra.

Question 18

What do you call the maximum sustainable size of a resident population in a given
ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely, given the available resources, is known as its carrying capacity. This term is fundamental in ecology and environmental science.

Question 19

Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the power of the ______ at Magadha with the aid of
Kautilya and founded a glorious Mauryan empire in 322 BC.

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Kautilya (Chanakya), overthrew the Nanda dynasty to establish the Mauryan Empire in 322 BC. This is a fundamental fact in Indian history.

Question 20

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Cat’s paw

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'cat's paw' refers to a person who is used by another to accomplish a task, often an unpleasant or dangerous one, for the other's benefit. Option 1 accurately captures this meaning.