Q.71
Medium
Read: 'The economist argued that rising interest rates would inevitably curtail consumer spending, thereby dampening economic growth.' What is the logical relationship between the clauses?
A
Contrast
B
Cause and effect
C
Temporal sequence
D
Conditional probability
Correct Answer:
B. Cause and effect
Explanation:
Rising interest rates (cause) leads to curtailed spending (effect), which then dampens growth. This is a clear causal relationship.
Q.72
Medium
Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'may' vs 'might':
A
It may rain tomorrow, so bring an umbrella.
B
If you had studied, you might have passed the exam.
C
You might to complete this task by noon.
D
She may go to the party if invited.
Correct Answer:
B. If you had studied, you might have passed the exam.
Explanation:
'Might' is used for hypothetical past situations and is the past form of 'may'. Option B correctly uses 'might' in the third conditional.
Q.73
Medium
In the sentence 'The committee have decided to postpone the meeting', identify the error.
A
No error - 'have' is correct for collective nouns in British English
B
'have' should be replaced with 'has' as committee is singular
C
'postpone' should be 'pone'
D
'the' should be removed before 'meeting'
Correct Answer:
A. No error - 'have' is correct for collective nouns in British English
Explanation:
In British English, collective nouns can take plural verbs. However, in American English and SSC standard, 'committee' typically takes a singular verb 'has'. But British usage accepts 'have', making this contextually correct.
Q.74
Medium
Select the word that best completes: 'Despite his wealth, he lived a _____ lifestyle.'
A
Sumptuous
B
Spartan
C
Lavish
D
Opulent
Correct Answer:
B. Spartan
Explanation:
'Spartan' means simple and austere, which contrasts with wealth. The word 'Despite' signals a contrast, making 'spartan' the most appropriate choice.
Q.75
Medium
Choose the sentence with correct use of 'whose':
A
The student whose book was lost reported it to the principal.
B
The student who's book was lost reported it to the principal.
C
The student's whose book was lost reported it to the principal.
D
The student of whose book was lost reported it to the principal.
Correct Answer:
A. The student whose book was lost reported it to the principal.
Explanation:
'Whose' is the possessive form of 'who' and correctly shows possession. 'Who's' is a contraction of 'who is'.
Q.76
Medium
Identify the correct passive voice: 'The team has completed the project.'
A
The project has been completed by the team.
B
The project was completed by the team.
C
The project has been completed.
D
The project is being completed by the team.
Correct Answer:
A. The project has been completed by the team.
Explanation:
The original sentence uses present perfect tense ('has completed'), so the passive voice should also use present perfect: 'has been completed'.
Q.77
Medium
Identify the correct use of 'fewer' vs 'less':
A
There are less apples in the basket today.
B
There are fewer apples in the basket today.
C
There is fewer apples in the basket today.
D
There is less apples in the basket today.
Correct Answer:
B. There are fewer apples in the basket today.
Explanation:
'Fewer' is used for countable nouns (apples), while 'less' is used for uncountable nouns (water, sand). 'Apples' is countable, so 'fewer' is correct.
Q.78
Medium
Choose the word that best completes: 'His _____ remarks offended everyone at the dinner.'
A
Tactful
B
Judicious
C
Acerbic
D
Benign
Correct Answer:
C. Acerbic
Explanation:
'Acerbic' means sharp and forthright, harsh in tone. This fits with 'offended everyone', whereas other options suggest positive qualities.
Q.79
Medium
Identify the error: 'Neither of the proposals are acceptable to the board.'
A
'Neither' should be 'Either'
B
'are' should be 'is'
C
'acceptable' should be 'acceptance'
D
No error
Correct Answer:
B. 'are' should be 'is'
Explanation:
'Neither' is singular and takes a singular verb. The correct form is 'is acceptable'.
Q.80
Medium
Identify the rhetorical device: 'That explanation is as clear as mud.'
A
Metaphor
B
Irony
C
Alliteration
D
Hyperbole
Explanation:
This is irony—saying the explanation is clear when it's actually the opposite (mud is unclear). It's also a simile, but the primary device is irony.
