Q1. One who does not believe in God is called:
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Answer: C. Atheist
An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of God.
One-word Substitution Questions for SSC CGL (with Answers)
76 One-word Substitution MCQs from the English Comprehension section, with answers and short explanations.
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Q2. A government by the people is called:
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Answer: D. Democracy
Democracy is a system of government by the whole population through elected representatives.
Q3. Handwriting that cannot be read is called:
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Answer: B. Illegible
'Illegible' means not clear enough to be read; 'legible' means readable.
Q4. A person who writes poems is called:
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Answer: C. Poet
A 'poet' is one who writes poems.
Q5. A person who cannot read or write is called:
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Answer: A. Illiterate
An 'illiterate' person is unable to read or write.
Q6. A place where books are kept for reading and borrowing is called:
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Answer: A. Library
A 'library' is a place where books are kept for people to read or borrow.
Q7. The life story of a person written by himself or herself is called:
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Answer: C. Autobiography
An 'autobiography' is an account of one's life written by oneself; a biography is written by someone else.
Q8. A group of ships is called:
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Answer: D. Fleet
A 'fleet' is a group of ships; herd, flock and pack are used for animals.
Q9. A person who does not eat meat is called:
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Answer: C. Vegetarian
A 'vegetarian' is one who does not eat meat.
Q10. Animals that feed on the flesh of other animals are called:
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Answer: C. Carnivorous
'Carnivorous' animals eat flesh; herbivorous animals eat plants.
Q11. The killing of a king is called:
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Answer: B. Regicide
'Regicide' is the killing of a king; suicide is killing oneself, homicide is killing a person, genocide is killing a whole group.
Q12. A doctor who treats children is called:
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Answer: C. Paediatrician
A 'paediatrician' specialises in the medical care of children.
Q13. A person who loves and defends his or her country is called:
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Answer: D. Patriot
A 'patriot' is one who loves and supports their country; a traitor betrays it.
Q14. A place where dead bodies are buried is called:
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Answer: A. Cemetery
A 'cemetery' is a burial ground; an orchard grows fruit trees and a granary stores grain.
Q15. A person who offers to do work without being paid is called:
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Answer: A. Volunteer
A 'volunteer' works willingly without payment; a mercenary works only for money.
Q16. Something that cannot be seen is called:
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Answer: C. Invisible
'Invisible' means not able to be seen; 'inaudible' means not able to be heard.
Q17. A person who writes books is called:
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Answer: B. Author
An 'author' is the writer of a book; an editor corrects it and a publisher issues it.
Q18. A group of stars forming a recognisable pattern in the sky is called:
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Answer: D. Constellation
A 'constellation' is a group of stars that forms a pattern, such as Orion.
Q19. A person who hoards money and hates spending it is called:
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Answer: C. Miser
A 'miser' saves money greedily and spends as little as possible.
Q20. A person who treats problems of the teeth is called:
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Answer: C. Dentist
A 'dentist' is a doctor who treats teeth and gums.
Q21. A person who eats too much is called:
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Answer: A. Glutton
A 'glutton' is a person who eats excessively.
Q22. Something that cannot be avoided is called:
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Answer: D. Inevitable
'Inevitable' means certain to happen and impossible to avoid. 'Invincible' means unbeatable.
Q23. A person who works with you in the same office or organisation is called a:
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Answer: D. Colleague
A 'colleague' is a fellow worker in the same profession or organisation.
Q24. A person who journeys to a holy place for religious reasons is called:
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Answer: B. Pilgrim
A 'pilgrim' travels to a sacred place as an act of devotion.
Q25. A person who sees a crime or accident take place and can describe it is called:
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Answer: D. Eyewitness
An 'eyewitness' is someone who has seen an event with his or her own eyes.
Q26. A person who flies an aircraft is called:
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Answer: A. Pilot
A 'pilot' is a person who operates the controls of an aircraft.
Q27. A period of two weeks is called a:
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Answer: C. Fortnight
A 'fortnight' means fourteen nights, i.e. two weeks.
Q28. A person who can use both hands equally well is called:
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Answer: C. Ambidextrous
'Ambidextrous' describes someone able to use the left and right hands equally well.
Q29. A period of ten years is called a:
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Answer: B. Decade
A 'decade' is ten years; a century is a hundred years.
Q30. An abnormal fear of water is called:
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Answer: C. Hydrophobia
'Hydro' means water, so 'hydrophobia' is fear of water. Acrophobia is fear of heights, claustrophobia of closed spaces, xenophobia of foreigners.
Q31. A person who knows many languages is called:
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Answer: B. Polyglot
A polyglot is a person who knows and uses several languages.
Q32. A place where birds are kept is called:
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Answer: B. Aviary
An aviary is a large enclosure for keeping birds. (An apiary is for bees.)
Q33. A speech delivered without preparation is called:
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Answer: D. Extempore
An extempore speech is delivered without prior preparation.
Q34. A person who is indifferent to pleasure and pain is called:
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Answer: C. Stoic
A 'Stoic' endures pain or hardship without showing feelings. A hedonist pursues pleasure, a cynic distrusts people's motives, and a sceptic doubts accepted beliefs.
Q35. The life history of a person written by that person is called:
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Answer: C. Autobiography
An 'Autobiography' is an account of a person's life written by that person. A biography is written by someone else.
Q36. A person who cannot be corrected or reformed is called:
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Answer: A. Incorrigible
'Incorrigible' means not able to be corrected or reformed. 'Incorruptible' means cannot be bribed, 'invincible' cannot be defeated, and 'indelible' cannot be erased.
Q37. One who hates mankind is called:
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Answer: D. Misanthrope
A 'Misanthrope' dislikes humankind. A philanthropist loves and helps mankind, a misogynist hates women, and a misogamist hates marriage.
Q38. Handwriting that cannot be read is:
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Answer: D. Illegible
'Illegible' means not clear enough to be read. 'Inaudible' means cannot be heard, and 'illiterate' describes a person who cannot read.
Q39. A person who eats human flesh is called:
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Answer: D. Cannibal
A 'Cannibal' is a person who eats the flesh of other human beings.
Q40. The killing of one's own brother is called:
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Answer: B. Fratricide
'Fratricide' is the killing of one's brother. Patricide is killing one's father, regicide is killing a king, and genocide is killing a whole people.
Q41. One who is present everywhere is called:
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Answer: A. Omnipresent
'Omnipresent' means present everywhere. Omnipotent means all-powerful, omniscient means all-knowing, and omnivorous means eating all kinds of food.
Q42. Words inscribed on a tomb in memory of the person buried there are called:
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Answer: A. Epitaph
An 'Epitaph' is an inscription on a tomb. An epigram is a short witty saying, an epilogue is a concluding section, and an epithet is a descriptive name or phrase.
Q43. A person who draws or makes maps is called a:
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Answer: A. Cartographer
A 'cartographer' makes maps. A choreographer designs dances, and a calligrapher does decorative handwriting.
Q44. A person who knows everything is called:
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Answer: B. Omniscient
'Omniscient' means all-knowing. Omnipotent means all-powerful, omnipresent means present everywhere, and omnivorous means eating all kinds of food.
Q45. A person who never drinks alcohol is called a:
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Answer: C. Teetotaller
A 'teetotaller' abstains completely from alcohol. A glutton eats too much, an epicure enjoys fine food and drink, and an ascetic gives up all worldly pleasures in general.
Q46. A place where coins are made is called a:
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Answer: A. Mint
A 'mint' is where a government makes coins. A mine yields minerals, a treasury stores funds and a quarry yields stone.
Q47. The scientific study of birds is called:
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Answer: D. Ornithology
'Ornithology' is the study of birds. Entomology is the study of insects, anthropology of human societies, and herpetology of reptiles and amphibians.
Q48. The study of handwriting, especially to judge a person's character, is called:
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Answer: C. Graphology
'Graphology' is the study of handwriting. Calligraphy is decorative writing, cartography is map-making, and orthography is the spelling system of a language.
Q49. The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially of a particular nation or ethnic group, is called:
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Answer: D. Genocide
'Genocide' is the mass killing of a national or ethnic group. Homicide is the killing of one person by another, regicide the killing of a king and suicide the killing of oneself.
Q50. A person who is unable to pay his or her debts is described as:
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Answer: B. Insolvent
'Insolvent' describes a person or company that cannot pay its debts. A miser hoards money, a philanthropist donates it and a spendthrift wastes it.
Q51. A government in which one person has absolute power is called:
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Answer: A. Autocracy
'Autocracy' is rule by a single person with unlimited power. Oligarchy is rule by a few, theocracy is rule by religious leaders, and anarchy is the absence of government.
Q52. A medicine that counteracts the effect of a poison is called:
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Answer: D. Antidote
An 'antidote' neutralises a poison. An antibiotic fights bacteria, an antiseptic prevents infection on skin or wounds, and an anaesthetic causes loss of sensation.
Q53. One who pretends to have virtues or beliefs that he or she does not actually possess is called:
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Answer: D. Hypocrite
A 'hypocrite' pretends to have moral standards he does not have. A heretic holds beliefs against accepted doctrine, a cynic distrusts others' motives and a sceptic doubts claims.
Q54. The study of ancient societies through their remains is called:
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Answer: C. Archaeology
Archaeology studies human history through excavation of sites and artefacts.
Q55. Fear of heights is called:
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Answer: D. Acrophobia
Acrophobia is an extreme fear of heights. Claustrophobia is fear of closed spaces.
Q56. One who walks in sleep is called:
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Answer: D. Somnambulist
A somnambulist is a person who walks while asleep.
Q57. A person who hates mankind is called:
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Answer: D. Misanthrope
A 'misanthrope' dislikes humankind in general. A 'misogynist' hates women, a 'misogamist' hates marriage, and a 'philanthropist' loves and helps mankind.
Q58. The killing of one's own mother is called:
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Answer: A. Matricide
'Matricide' is the killing of one's mother. 'Patricide' is killing one's father, 'fratricide' one's brother, and 'regicide' a king.
Q59. A government in which the wealthy class rules is called:
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Answer: A. Plutocracy
'Plutocracy' is rule by the rich. 'Autocracy' is rule by one person, 'theocracy' rule by priests or religious law, and 'gerontocracy' rule by the old.
Q60. A remedy for all diseases or difficulties is called:
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Answer: D. Panacea
A 'panacea' is a cure-all. A 'placebo' is a dummy medicine, an 'antidote' counters a particular poison, and an 'anodyne' merely relieves pain.
Q61. Words inscribed on a tombstone in memory of the person buried there are called:
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Answer: B. Epitaph
An 'epitaph' is an inscription on a tomb. An 'epigram' is a witty saying, an 'epithet' a descriptive nickname, and an 'epilogue' a concluding section.
Q62. A man who is excessively fond of or submissive to his wife is described as:
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Answer: C. Uxorious
'Uxorious' describes a man excessively devoted to his wife. 'Uxoricide' is the killing of one's wife, a 'philanderer' flirts with many women, and a 'misogynist' hates women.
Q63. A person who falsely claims to have special knowledge or skill is called:
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Answer: B. Charlatan
A 'charlatan' is an impostor who pretends to have expertise. A 'neophyte' is a beginner, while a 'connoisseur' and a 'virtuoso' are genuine experts.
Q64. A person who remains indifferent to pleasure and pain and endures hardship without complaint is called:
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Answer: B. Stoic
A 'stoic' bears pain or hardship without showing feelings. A 'hedonist' pursues pleasure, an 'epicure' delights in fine food, and a 'cynic' distrusts others' motives.
Q65. A person who is too fond of going to law and filing lawsuits is described as:
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Answer: D. Litigious
'Litigious' means excessively ready to go to law. 'Loquacious' means talkative, 'licentious' morally unrestrained, and 'lugubrious' mournful.
Q66. The study of the origin and history of words is called:
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Answer: D. Etymology
'Etymology' is the study of word origins. 'Entomology' studies insects, 'epistemology' the theory of knowledge, and 'eschatology' the doctrine of last things (end of the world).
Q67. A person who is new to a subject, skill or belief is called:
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Answer: C. Neophyte
A 'neophyte' is a beginner or novice. A 'veteran' is highly experienced, a 'virtuoso' is a master performer, and a 'maverick' is an independent-minded nonconformist.
Q68. A form of government in which power rests with a small group of people is called:
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Answer: D. Oligarchy
'Oligarchy' is rule by a few. 'Monarchy' is rule by a king or queen, 'autocracy' by one person with absolute power, and 'theocracy' by religious authorities.
Q69. An abnormal fear of confined or enclosed spaces is called:
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Answer: B. Claustrophobia
'Claustrophobia' is the fear of enclosed spaces. 'Agoraphobia' is fear of open or public places, 'xenophobia' is fear or dislike of foreigners, and 'hydrophobia' is fear of water.
Q70. A statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but may express a truth is called a:
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Answer: A. Paradox
A 'paradox' is a seemingly self-contradictory statement that may be true. 'Hyperbole' is exaggeration, a 'euphemism' is a mild substitute for a harsh expression, and a 'tautology' is needless repetition.
Q71. The killing of one's own father is called:
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Answer: D. Patricide
'Patricide' is the killing of one's father. 'Genocide' is the killing of a whole group or race, 'infanticide' the killing of an infant, and 'suicide' the killing of oneself.
Q72. A person who is filled with excessive and uncritical zeal, especially for a religious or political cause, is called a:
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Answer: D. Fanatic
A 'fanatic' is a person with excessive, uncritical enthusiasm for a cause. A 'sceptic' doubts, an 'agnostic' holds that God's existence cannot be known, and a 'pacifist' opposes war.
Q73. A speech in a play in which a character, alone on stage, speaks his or her thoughts aloud is called a:
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Answer: B. Soliloquy
A 'soliloquy' is a speech made by a character alone on stage revealing inner thoughts. An 'epilogue' comes at the end of a play, a 'prologue' at the beginning, and a 'dialogue' is a conversation between characters.
Q74. A person who attacks cherished beliefs or established institutions is called:
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Answer: A. Iconoclast
An 'iconoclast' attacks traditional beliefs. A sycophant is a flatterer, a philatelist collects stamps, and a kleptomaniac has an urge to steal.
Q75. A word, phrase or number that reads the same backwards as forwards, such as 'madam', is called a:
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Answer: D. Palindrome
A 'palindrome' reads the same in both directions. An 'anagram' rearranges letters to form another word, an 'acronym' is formed from initial letters, and a 'homonym' shares its spelling or sound with a word of different meaning.
Q76. A person or authority that is incapable of making mistakes is described as:
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Answer: C. Infallible
'Infallible' means incapable of making mistakes. 'Invincible' means unconquerable, 'indelible' means impossible to erase, and 'inevitable' means certain to happen.