SSC MTS 2017 PYQs

Question 1

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.These recipes are delicious, (overtly) popular and so, so easy to prepare.

Accepted Answer

The word 'overtly' means openly or publicly, which doesn't fit the context of popularity. 'Widely' means to a great extent or over a large area, which correctly describes the popularity of recipes.

Question 2

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.(This market were) crowded with people.

Accepted Answer

The subject 'market' is singular, so the singular verb 'was' should be used instead of 'were'. Option 3 correctly applies subject-verb agreement.

Question 3

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement".Shreya is (a honest women).

Accepted Answer

The word 'honest' starts with a vowel sound, so the article 'an' should be used instead of 'a'. Also, 'women' is plural, but the sentence implies a single person, so 'woman' is correct.

Question 4

Directions: In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'no improvement'.I spoke to (my all) friends and finalised the plan.

Accepted Answer

The correct order for quantifiers like 'all' and possessive determiners like 'my' is 'all my'. This structure correctly indicates that the speaker spoke to every single one of their friends.

Question 5

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.I have returned the book (what) you gave me.

Accepted Answer

The relative pronoun 'which' is used to refer to things or animals. Here, 'book' is a thing, so 'which' is the correct choice.

Question 6

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.(Being a cold day), we cancelled our picnic.

Accepted Answer

The original sentence has a dangling participle. 'It being a cold day' correctly forms an absolute phrase, providing a subject ('It') for the participle 'being', thus clarifying the cause.

Question 7

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.Today is the (original day) to complete this, after it you won’t be able to do so.

Accepted Answer

The sentence implies a deadline, meaning after this day, the action cannot be performed. 'Last day' correctly conveys this finality, making it the appropriate choice.

Question 8

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.The quality of service (providing) was excellent especially in the hospitals run by charitable trusts and religious foundations.

Accepted Answer

The sentence describes a past action where service was 'provided'. 'Provided' acts as a past participle modifying 'service', indicating the service that was given. This fits the past tense context.

Question 9

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.In the after math, you will have a litmus (effect) for all the people you know.

Accepted Answer

The correct idiom is 'litmus test,' which means a decisive test. 'Effect' is incorrect in this context, making 'test' the appropriate replacement.

Question 10

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.(He have quitted) the organization.

Accepted Answer

The correct form for third-person singular (He) in present perfect tense is 'has quit'. 'Quitted' is an incorrect past participle form; 'quit' is correct.

Question 11

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.This invitation is for (you) and me.

Accepted Answer

The sentence uses 'for' which is a preposition. Prepositions are followed by objective case pronouns. 'You' and 'me' are both in the objective case, making the original sentence grammatically correct.

Question 12

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.My daughter has a habit of (eating home-cook food).

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'home-cooked' is the correct past participle used as an adjective to describe 'food'. 'Home-cook' is incorrect grammatically.

Question 13

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.(Attention) is better than cure.

Accepted Answer

The common idiom is 'Prevention is better than cure,' meaning it's better to stop something bad from happening than to deal with it after it has occurred.

Question 14

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.People in the remote village of Kerela are now totally self sufﬁcient and liberal and no longer (waited) till people from urban areas dish out empowerment as a special privilege or favor.

Accepted Answer

The subject 'people' is plural, so the verb must also be plural. 'Waited' is past tense, and 'waits' is singular present. 'Wait' is the correct plural present tense verb.

Question 15

In the following question, out of the four given alternatives, select the alternative which is the best substitute of the phrase.Right or advantage available to a person

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'Right or advantage available to a person' perfectly defines 'Privilege'. It refers to a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.

Question 16

Directions: In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best substitute of the phrase.The killing of human beings.

Accepted Answer

Homicide refers to the killing of one human being by another. The other options specify the victim (father, self, infant).

Question 17

In the following question, a word has been written in four different ways out of which only one is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word.

Accepted Answer

The correct spelling of the word is 'Definite'. It means clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful.

Question 18

In the following question, a word has been written in four different ways out one is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word.

Accepted Answer

The correct spelling of the word is 'Laughter'. This is a common English word, and its spelling follows standard phonetic and orthographic rules.

Question 19

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in correct order.Heavy metalsP: in many applicationsQ: are today beingR: replaced by polymers

Accepted Answer

The sentence starts with 'Heavy metals'. 'are today being' (Q) follows, then 'replaced by polymers' (R), and finally 'in many applications' (P). This forms a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence.

Question 20

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in correct order.It takesP: to change theirQ: way of thinkingR: time for people

Accepted Answer

The sentence starts with 'It takes'. 'R: time for people' logically follows. Then 'P: to change their' and finally 'Q: way of thinking' completes the sentence, forming 'It takes time for people to change their way of thinking'.