SSC GD English Questions
20 questions on English Language for SSC GD. Each comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.
- Questions
- 20
- Easy
- 10
- Moderate
- 10
English topics
English questions with solutions
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Lucid
- (A)Vague
- (B)Harsh
- (C)Clear
- (D)Dull
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) Clear
'Lucid' means expressed clearly and easy to understand. Among the options, 'Clear' carries the same sense, so it is the correct synonym. The other options, 'Vague', 'Dull', 'Harsh', have different meanings.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Benevolent
- (A)Kind
- (B)Lazy
- (C)Cruel
- (D)Proud
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) Kind
'Benevolent' means kind and well-meaning. Among the options, 'Kind' carries the same sense, so it is the correct synonym. The other options, 'Cruel', 'Proud', 'Lazy', have different meanings.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Commence
- (A)Finish
- (B)Refuse
- (C)Delay
- (D)Begin
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (D) Begin
'Commence' means to start something. Among the options, 'Begin' carries the same sense, so it is the correct synonym. The other options, 'Finish', 'Delay', 'Refuse', have different meanings.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. Tranquil
- (A)Angry
- (B)Crowded
- (C)Calm
- (D)Noisy
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) Calm
'Tranquil' means free from disturbance. Among the options, 'Calm' carries the same sense, so it is the correct synonym. The other options, 'Noisy', 'Angry', 'Crowded', have different meanings.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Ancient
- (A)Modern
- (B)Historic
- (C)Aged
- (D)Antique
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) Modern
'Ancient' means belonging to the very distant past. The word opposite in meaning is 'Modern'. The other options, 'Antique', 'Aged', 'Historic', are similar in meaning to 'Ancient' and therefore cannot be its antonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Generous
- (A)Liberal
- (B)Charitable
- (C)Kind
- (D)Stingy
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (D) Stingy
'Generous' means willing to give freely. The word opposite in meaning is 'Stingy'. The other options, 'Liberal', 'Charitable', 'Kind', are similar in meaning to 'Generous' and therefore cannot be its antonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Transparent
- (A)Obvious
- (B)Opaque
- (C)Clear
- (D)Lucid
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Opaque
'Transparent' means allowing light to pass through so that objects can be seen clearly. The word opposite in meaning is 'Opaque'. The other options, 'Clear', 'Lucid', 'Obvious', are similar in meaning to 'Transparent' and therefore cannot be its antonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Permanent
- (A)Lasting
- (B)Temporary
- (C)Durable
- (D)Stable
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Temporary
'Permanent' means lasting for a very long time or forever. The word opposite in meaning is 'Temporary'. The other options, 'Lasting', 'Durable', 'Stable', are similar in meaning to 'Permanent' and therefore cannot be its antonym.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words. A person who does not believe in the existence of God
- (A)Hermit
- (B)Atheist
- (C)Theist
- (D)Pilgrim
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Atheist
The single word for "a person who does not believe in the existence of god" is 'Atheist'. The remaining options, 'Theist', 'Hermit', 'Pilgrim', refer to different things and do not fit the given description.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words. A place where bees are kept
- (A)Aviary
- (B)Aquarium
- (C)Granary
- (D)Apiary
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (D) Apiary
The single word for "a place where bees are kept" is 'Apiary'. The remaining options, 'Aviary', 'Aquarium', 'Granary', refer to different things and do not fit the given description.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words. An animal that eats both plants and animals
- (A)Insectivore
- (B)Omnivore
- (C)Carnivore
- (D)Herbivore
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Omnivore
The single word for "an animal that eats both plants and animals" is 'Omnivore'. The remaining options, 'Herbivore', 'Carnivore', 'Insectivore', refer to different things and do not fit the given description.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words. A person who travels on foot
- (A)Pedestrian
- (B)Commuter
- (C)Equestrian
- (D)Passenger
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) Pedestrian
The single word for "a person who travels on foot" is 'Pedestrian'. The remaining options, 'Passenger', 'Equestrian', 'Commuter', refer to different things and do not fit the given description.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. To let the cat out of the bag
- (A)To free a prisoner
- (B)To lose one's temper
- (C)To reveal a secret
- (D)To waste money
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) To reveal a secret
The idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' is used figuratively and means "to reveal a secret". Its meaning cannot be worked out from the literal sense of the individual words, which is why the other options are incorrect.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. To burn the midnight oil
- (A)To work or study late into the night
- (B)To start a fire
- (C)To waste resources
- (D)To sleep early
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) To work or study late into the night
The idiom 'to burn the midnight oil' is used figuratively and means "to work or study late into the night". Its meaning cannot be worked out from the literal sense of the individual words, which is why the other options are incorrect.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. To call it a day
- (A)To name a holiday
- (B)To celebrate a success
- (C)To stop working for the day
- (D)To begin a new task
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) To stop working for the day
The idiom 'to call it a day' is used figuratively and means "to stop working for the day". Its meaning cannot be worked out from the literal sense of the individual words, which is why the other options are incorrect.
Showing 15 of 20 questions. Start a practice set above to work through the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How many SSC GD English questions can I practise here?
20 questions — 10 easy and 10 moderate. 15 are shown on this page with answers and explanations, and the practice set draws from all of them.
How should I practise English for SSC GD?
Read through a few solved questions first to see the method, then take a timed practice set. Afterwards, check which questions you got wrong or spent longest on and redo those before moving on.