Sentence Improvement Part-V

11. There is a charm on the midnight air which all cannot experience. [SSC CGL, 26/07/2023 (1st shift)]

(a) over the midnight air
(b) around the midnight air
(c) in the midnight air
(d) under the midnight air

Correct Answer: (c) in the midnight air

Solution:Preposition 'in' is used to indicate the presence or location of something within a certain place or condition.

Similarly, in the given sentence 'charm' is a quality that is present in the midnight air.
Hence, 'in the midnight air' is the most appropriate answer.

12. Being a practiced liar, it was totally normal for him to utter a complete and blatant lie. [SSC CGL 26/07/2023 (3rd shift)]

(a) blasphemy
(b) whooper
(c) falsehood
(d) perjury

Correct Answer: (c) falsehood

Solution:Falsehood- a complete and blatant lie.

Blasphemy - disrespectful or offensive words or actions towards religious beliefs.

Whooper- someone who tells big lies or makes exaggerated claims.

Perjury - telling a lie after promising to tell the truth, especially in a court of law.

13. Pintu has been advised to reduce smoking by his family doctor. [SSC CGL 26/07/2023 (3rd shift)]

(a) lower down
(b) up down
(c) less
(d) cut down

Correct Answer: (d) cut down

Solution:The phrasal verb 'cut down' means to reduce.

Hence, 'cut down' is the most appropriate answer.

14. The heavy medications and strong drugs at the sanatorium will surely turn a patient completely lifeless and unresponsive. [SSC CGL 26/07/2023 (4th shift)]

(a) tombic
(b) cadaverous
(c) zonic
(d) wasted

Correct Answer: (b) cadaverous

Solution:'Cadaverous' means something that is extremely pale, gaunt, and resembling a lifeless or dead body in appearance.

Hence, 'cadaverous' is the most appropriate answer.

15. I worked hard so that I might success. [SSC CGL 27/07/2023 (1st shift)]

(a) that I may success
(b) that I might successful
(c) that I might succeed
(d) that I might successor

Correct Answer: (c) that I might succeed

Solution:'Modal verbs' are auxiliary verbs(also called helping verbs) like can, will, could, shall, must, would, might, and should.

However, after a modal verb, we generally use the first form of the verb (V₁).
Hence, 'might succeed (V₁)' is the most appropriate structure.

16. The stranger stood quietly for few moments. [SSC CGL 27/07/2023 (1st shift)]

(a) For the few moments
(b) No improvement required
(c) For moments
(d) For a few moments

Correct Answer: (d) For a few moments

Solution:'Few' means negligible or zero whereas 'a few' means a small but considerable number of something.

Therefore, 'few' must be replaced with 'a few' .
Hence, 'for a few moments' is the most appropriate answer.

17. He did not stop until it was remarked that he was speaking at length about trivial things. [SSC CGL 27/07/2023 (2nd shift)]

(a) twittering
(b) writing
(c) rambling
(d) littering

Correct Answer: (c) rambling

Solution:Rambling- speaking at length about trivial things.

Twittering - bird sounds.

Littering - carelessly dropping trash, creating a mess.

18. The question was raised for discussion before the members during the assembly session. [SSC CGL 27/07/2023 (2nd shift)]

(a) came up
(b) came off
(c) came round
(d) came out

Correct Answer: (a) came up

Solution:The phrase 'came up' means to be raised, as in a discussion.

Hence, 'came up' is the most appropriate answer.

19. The secretary to my boss is very efficient as he not only gives him the required information and also handles correspondence independently. [SSC CGL 27/07/2023 (3rd shift)]

(a) yet also handles
(b) but also handles
(c) along with also handles
(d) not also handles

Correct Answer: (b) but also handles

Solution:"Not only........... But also" is a fixed conjunction pair.

Hence, 'but also handles' is the most appropriate answer.

20. The rebels laid up their arms [Graduate Level 27/06/2023 (Shift - 4)]

(a) laid down
(b) laid out
(c) laid on
(d) laid by

Correct Answer: (a) laid down

Solution:The phrase "laid down" means surrendering or putting something down.

Hence, 'Laid down' is the most appropriate answer.