Q1. What does the phrase 'by hook or by crook' mean?
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Answer: B. By any means, fair or unfair
'By hook or by crook' means by any possible method, whether fair or unfair.
SSC CGL English Comprehension Beginner Practice Set 7
25 beginner questions. Tap an option to check it, or open “Show answer” for the explanation.
Topics: Idioms and Phrases, Fill in the Blanks, Articles, Antonyms, Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses, Synonyms, Spelling, Prepositions
Score: 0 / 0
Q2. Fill in the blank: The judge listened to both sides before giving his ___.
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Answer: D. verdict
A 'verdict' is the decision given by a judge or jury in a case.
Q3. Choose the correct article: He is ___ European by birth.
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Answer: A. a
'European' begins with the consonant sound /j/ ('yoo'), so it takes 'a', not 'an'.
Q4. What does the idiom 'to cry over spilt milk' mean?
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Answer: D. To regret something that cannot be undone
'To cry over spilt milk' means to be upset about something that has happened and cannot be changed.
Q5. Choose the antonym of 'EXPORT'.
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Answer: B. Import
'Export' is sending goods out of a country; 'import' is bringing goods in.
Q6. Choose the antonym of 'ASCEND'.
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Answer: D. Descend
'Ascend' means to go up; 'descend' means to go down.
Q7. Fill in the blank: Mathematics ___ my favourite subject.
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Answer: A. is
Subjects such as mathematics, physics and economics take a singular verb.
Q8. Fill in the blank: If it rains tomorrow, we ___ at home.
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Answer: C. will stay
In the first conditional, 'if' + simple present is followed by 'will' + base verb.
Q9. Choose the synonym of 'FAMOUS'.
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Answer: A. Well-known
'Famous' means known to many people, i.e. well-known.
Q10. Choose the correctly spelt word for 'without any doubt'.
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Answer: B. Definitely
The correct spelling is 'definitely' (de + finite + ly).
Q11. Choose the correct article: ___ sun rises in the east.
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Answer: A. The
'The' is used before things that are unique, such as the sun, the moon and the earth.
Q12. Choose the synonym of 'CONCEAL'.
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Answer: D. Hide
'Conceal' means to keep something out of sight, i.e. hide.
Q13. What does the idiom 'a bolt from the blue' mean?
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Answer: B. A sudden, unexpected event
'A bolt from the blue' is something completely unexpected, usually a shock.
Q14. Fill in the blank: The cattle ___ grazing in the field.
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Answer: B. are
'Cattle' is always plural and takes a plural verb.
Q15. Fill in the blank: He is fond ___ music.
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Answer: C. of
'Fond' is always followed by 'of': fond of something.
Q16. Choose the synonym of 'FATIGUE'.
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Answer: A. Tiredness
'Fatigue' means extreme tiredness.
Q17. Fill in the blank: By the time we reached the station, the train ___.
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Answer: D. had left
The past perfect (had + past participle) is used for the earlier of two past actions.
Q18. Choose the synonym of 'ELEGANT'.
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Answer: B. Graceful
'Elegant' means stylish and pleasing in appearance or manner, i.e. graceful.
Q19. Choose the antonym of 'FOOLISH'.
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Answer: C. Sensible
'Foolish' means lacking good sense; 'sensible' means showing good sense.
Q20. Choose the antonym of 'MODERN'.
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Answer: C. Outdated
'Modern' means belonging to the present; 'outdated' means old-fashioned.
Q21. Choose the antonym of 'RETREAT'.
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Answer: B. Advance
'Retreat' means to move back; 'advance' means to move forward.
Q22. Fill in the blank: Please listen ___ me carefully.
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Answer: B. to
'Listen' is followed by 'to': listen to someone or something.
Q23. Choose the synonym of 'ASSIST'.
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Answer: B. Help
'Assist' means to help someone.
Q24. Choose the synonym of 'SILENT'.
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Answer: D. Quiet
'Silent' means making no sound, i.e. quiet.
Q25. Choose the correct article: He is ___ M.A. in English.
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Answer: D. an
The letter 'M' is pronounced 'em', which begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is used.