SSC CHSL 2015 PYQs

Question 1

Afreen_____ that the weather was very pleasant that day

Accepted Answer

The word 'remarked' means to say something as a comment or observation. It fits perfectly in the context of stating an observation about the pleasant weather.

Question 2

The economic ___________ has affected our sales temendously

Accepted Answer

The word 'slowdown' correctly completes the sentence, meaning a reduction in economic activity, which directly impacts sales. The other options do not fit the context.

Question 3

I. He had spentP. to see him offQ. and I was nowR. accompanying him across the riverS. a fortnigh with me6. For his long railway journey home.

Accepted Answer

The sentence starts with 'He had spent' followed by 'a fortnight with me' (S). Then 'accompanying him across the river' (Q) and 'to see him off' (R) logically leads to 'For his long railway journey home' (P).

Question 4

Be quickotherwise you wouldmiss the train

Accepted Answer

The sentence expresses a condition and its future consequence. The correct structure for a first conditional sentence is 'If + simple present, will + base verb'. Here, 'Be quick' implies the condition, and 'otherwise you will miss' is the correct future consequence.

Question 5

Mrs Hall was prepared to excuse the scientist’s habit’s and __ tempere.

Accepted Answer

The sentence requires an adjective to describe 'temper'. 'Irritable' means easily annoyed, which fits the context of a scientist's temperament that needs excusing.

Question 6

Being a wet day, he stayed at home.

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'Being a wet day' is a dangling participle. It needs a subject. 'As it was a wet day' correctly provides the subject 'it' for the clause.

Question 7

I. The history of India.P. human activity of Homo sapiens as long asQ. earlier hominids including Homo-erectusS. begins with evidence of6. From about 5,00,000 years ago.

Accepted Answer

The sentence starts with 'The history of India' (I) and needs a verb. 'begins with evidence of' (S) fits perfectly. Then, 'human activity of Homo sapiens as long as' (P) logically follows, leading to 'earlier hominids including Homo-erectus' (Q). Finally, 'From about 5,00,000 years ago' (6) completes the sentence.

Question 8

Take the bull by the hornsis

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'take the bull by the horns' means to confront a difficult situation directly and courageously, without hesitation or avoidance.

Question 9

I shall write to you when I reach Agra.

Accepted Answer

The sentence uses the correct first conditional structure: 'when' + simple present in the dependent clause, and 'will/shall' + base verb in the main clause. Thus, no improvement is needed.

Question 10

Sail in the same boat.

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'sail in the same boat' means to be in the same difficult or unpleasant situation as someone else. Option 3 accurately reflects this meaning.

Question 11

The teacher said, “The Earth moves round the sun.”

Accepted Answer

When converting direct speech to indirect speech, universal truths or habitual facts remain in the simple present tense. The reporting verb 'said' changes to 'said that'.

Question 12

We’ve got a new big house.

Accepted Answer

Adjectives follow a specific order: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, purpose. 'Big' (size) comes before 'new' (age). So, 'big new house' is correct.

Question 13

A false friend never hesitates toshed crocodile tears

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'shed crocodile tears' means to show insincere sorrow or sympathy. Therefore, 'to pretend to be sympathetic' is the correct meaning.

Question 14

The President of India administers the oath of office to the Council of Ministers.

Accepted Answer

The original sentence is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate verb 'administers' for oath-taking. No improvement is needed.

Question 15

Select the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word.

Perceptive

Accepted Answer

Perceptive means having or showing sensitive insight. Unaware means having no knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. Thus, 'unaware' is the most direct antonym.

Question 16

to be in a quandary

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to be in a quandary' means to be in a state of perplexity or uncertainty, which aligns with 'to be in a confusing situation'.

Question 17

She made the child to study hard

Accepted Answer

The causative verb 'make' is followed by a bare infinitive (verb without 'to'). Therefore, 'to study' should be 'study'.

Question 18

The speeding car___________ a man this morning.

Accepted Answer

The phrasal verb 'knocked down' correctly describes hitting someone with a vehicle, causing them to fall. The other options do not fit the context.

Question 19

The door should be keep closed

Accepted Answer

In passive voice, after 'be' (should be), the main verb must be in its past participle form. So, 'keep' should be 'kept'.

Question 20

Select the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word.

Accusation

Accepted Answer

Accusation means a charge of wrongdoing. Exculpation means to clear from guilt. Thus, exculpation is the direct antonym.