Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Exam
Question : Comprehension: Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it. In the late 18th century the Industrial Revolution began to transform life in Britain. Until then, most people lived in the countryside and made their living from farming. By the mid-19th century, most people in Britain lived in towns and made their living from mining or manufacturing industries. In 1712 a man named Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) made primitive steam engines for pumping water from mines. In 1769 James Watt (1736-1819) patented a more efficient steam engine. In 1785 his engine was adapted to driving machinery in a cotton factory. The use of steam engines to drive machines slowly transformed the industry. Meanwhile, during the 1700s Britain built up a great overseas empire. The North American colonies were lost after the War of Independence 1776-1783. On the other hand, after the Seven Years' War 1756-1763, Britain captured Canada and India. Britain also took Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and Tobago in the West Indies. In 1707 the Act of Union was passed. Scotland was united with England and Wales. England became part of Great Britain. Owning land was the main form of wealth in the 18th century. Political power and influence were in the hands of rich landowners. At the top were the nobility. Below them were a class of nearly rich landowners called the gentry. In the early 18th century there were another class of landowners called yeomen who were small landowners, described as farmers of the middle class. However, during the century this class became less and less numerous. However other middle class people such as merchants and professional men became richer and more numerous, especially in the towns. Below them were the great mass of the population, craftsmen and labourers. In the 18th century, probably half the population lived at subsistence or bare survival levels. In the early 18th century England suffered from gin drinking. It was cheap and it was sold everywhere as you did not need a license to sell it. Many people ruined their health by drinking gin. Sadly, for many poor people drinking gin was their only comfort. The situation improved after 1751 when a tax was imposed on gin. At the end of the 17th century, it was estimated the population of England and Wales was about 5 1/2 million. The population of Scotland was about 1 million. The population of London was about 600,000. In the mid-18th century, the population of Britain was about 6 1/2 million. In the late 18th century it grew rapidly and by 1801 it was over 9 million. The population of London was almost 1 million. During the 18th century, towns in Britain grew larger. Nevertheless, most towns still had populations of less than 10,000. However, in the late 18th century new industrial towns in the Midland and the North of England mushroomed. Meanwhile, the population of London grew to nearly 1 million by the end of the century. Other towns were much smaller. The population of Liverpool was about 77,000 in 1800. Birmingham had about 73,000 people and Manchester had about 70,000. Bristol had a population of about 68,000. Sheffield was smaller with 31,000 people and Leeds had about 30,000 people. Question: Which of the following was NOT a colony of Britain in the West Indies?
Option 1: Tobago
Option 2: Canada
Option 3: Dominica
Option 4: Grenada
Correct Answer: Canada
Solution : The right choice is the second option.
Explanation: The passage mentions that, in the West Indies, Britain took Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent, and Tobago. However, Canada is not listed among the West Indies colonies. Canada is a separate region mentioned in the context
Question : Comprehension: Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it.
Amidst a maze of rocks tucked in the Aravalli mountain ranges of Haryana, a team of archaeologists discovered cave paintings they believe belong to the Upper Palaeolithic age. The cave paintings have been discovered just outside the national capital and a stone's throw away from a holy grove called Mangar Bani- the region's only surviving patch of primary forest. While the residents of the villages have been familiar with the paintings for ages, the Haryana government's museum and archaeology department took note of them just recently. A fact-finding team was sent to the area in the last week of June. The team came across cave paintings comprising images of human figurines, animals, foliage, and geometric drawings. While some have paled over time, others are still very visible. They also discovered rock art and open-air ceremonial sites. Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the department of archaeology and museums, informed, "So far, cave paintings in Delhi-NCR have only been found here. The paintings are yet to be dated, but at least some of them belong to the Upper Palaeolithic period in all likelihood. We are viewing the paintings in continuation with the Soanian culture that has been found in Shivalik Hills, Narmada, and Aravallis." Most of the cave paintings found were in ochre colour, but some were in white. As per experts, cave paintings in white are usually from a later stage (early contemporary era), while Stone Age paintings are more often than not in ochre. "Stone age paintings generally use red and ochre colours. Stones of these colours used to be available locally and inhabitants crushed the stones for preparing the colour for paintings," added Bhattacharyya. The Upper Paleolithic Age began around 40,000 years ago and lasted till around 10,000 years ago. While yet to be established through archaeological dating, Bhattacharyya says the Mangar cave art is $20,000-40,000$ years old. Bhattacharyya claimed that the discovery is extremely significant. "Starting from the Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic then Upper Palaeolithic, we see the evolution here. We have found significant remains from Lower Palaeolithic till Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods too," she explained. "Though tools from the Palaeolithic Age have been identified earlier in parts of the Aravallis, it is for the first time that cave paintings and rock art of a large magnitude have been found in Haryana," she added. Question: The archaeological findings in the Mangar Forest consist of all the following except
Option 1: tools
Option 2: ceremonial sites
Option 3: cave paintings
Option 4: rock art
Correct Answer: tools
Solution : The first option is the correct choice (refer to the second paragraph).
The passage mentions various archaeological findings in the Mangar forest, including cave paintings, rock art, and open-air ceremonial sites. However, it does not specifically mention the discovery of tools in the Mangar Forest.
Question : Select the correct active form of the given sentence.
By whom has this mischief been done?
Option 1: Who has been doing this mischief?
Option 2: Who did this mischief?
Option 3: Who has done this mischief?
Option 4: Who is doing this mischief?
Correct Answer: Who has done this mischief?
Solution : The correct choice is the third choice.
Explanation: Active voice is a sentence or clause in which the subject performs the action. It typically follows the following structure: subject, verb, and object. The active voice is often more direct and straightforward
Question : Direction: In the following question, find the odd number pair from the given alternatives.
Option 1: 8 – 36
Option 2: 16 – 64
Option 3: 36 – 216
Option 4: 25 – 125
Correct Answer: 8 – 36
Solution : On determining the square and cube, we will get:
First option: 8 – 36 '8' is not the square of any number. '36' is also not the cube of any number. Hence '8 – 36' is the odd one out.
Second option: 16
Question : Directions: Select the option that is related to the third term in the same way as the second term is related to the first term and the sixth term is related to the fifth term. 8 : 448 :: 9 : ? :: 11 : 847
Option 1: 576
Option 2: 577
Option 3: 567
Option 4: 562
Correct Answer: 567
Solution : Given: 8 : 448 :: 9 : ? :: 11 : 847
Seven times the square of the first number equals the second number. Like, 8 : 448→8² × 7 = 64 × 7 = 448 And, 11 : 847→11² × 7 = 121 ×
Question : 'Luddi' is a folk dance originating from which of the following states in India?
Option 1: Manipur
Option 2: Punjab
Option 3: Madhya Pradesh
Option 4: Kerala
Correct Answer: Punjab
Solution : The correct answer is Punjab.
Luddi is an Indian traditional dance from the state of Punjab. It is a popular kind of dance done by both men and women. Luddi is a joyful dance that is frequently seen at weddings and festivals. The dance is
Question : The sum of the cubes of two numbers is 793. The sum of the numbers is 13. Then the difference between the two numbers is:
Option 1: 7
Option 2: 6
Option 3: 5
Option 4: 8
Correct Answer: 5
Solution : Let the numbers be $a$ and $b$ where $a > b$. According to the question, $a^3+b^3=793$ and $a+b=13$ So, $(a+b)^3=a^3+b^3+3ab(a+b)$ ⇒ $13^3=793+3ab×13$ ⇒ $39ab=2197-793$ ⇒ $ab=\frac{1404}{39}$ $\therefore ab=36$ Now, $(a-b)^2=(a+b)^2-4ab$ ⇒ $(a-b)^2=13^2-4×36=169-144=25$ $\therefore (a-b)=\sqrt{25}=5$ Hence, the correct answer is $5$.
Question : Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
A person who enjoys doing dangerous things, in a way that other people may think is stupid.
Option 1: Cavalier
Option 2: Lunatic
Option 3: Gallant
Option 4: Daredevil
Correct Answer: Daredevil
Solution : The correct answer is the fourth option.
Daredevil is a person who enjoys taking risks and engaging in dangerous activities, often seen as bold or fearless.
The meanings of the other options are as follows:
Cavalier: Showing a lack of proper concern; indifferent or offhand.
Question : Directions: Select the set in which the numbers are related in the same way as the numbers of the following sets. (NOTE: Operations should be performed on the whole numbers, without breaking down the numbers into their constituent digits. E.g. 13 – operations on 13 such as adding/subtracting/multiplying etc. to 13 can be performed. Breaking down 13 into 1 and 3 and then performing mathematical operations on 1 and 3 is NOT allowed.) $\left[\left(\frac{7}{9}\right),\left(\frac{31}{39}\right)\right];\left[\left(\frac{3}{5}\right),\left(\frac{15}{23}\right)\right]$
Option 1: $\left[\left(\frac{11}{13}\right),\left(\frac{47}{55}\right)\right]$
Option 2: $\left[\left(\frac{9}{13}\right),\left(\frac{37}{55}\right)\right]$
Option 3: $\left[\left(\frac{9}{11}\right),\left(\frac{32}{37}\right)\right]$
Option 4: $\left[\left(\frac{17}{19}\right),\left(\frac{36}{77}\right)\right]$
Correct Answer: $\left[\left(\frac{11}{13}\right),\left(\frac{47}{55}\right)\right]$
Solution : Given: $\left[\left(\frac{7}{9}\right),\left(\frac{31}{39}\right)\right];\left[\left(\frac{3}{5}\right),\left(\frac{15}{23}\right)\right]$
In the given sets, multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 4, and then add 3. $\left[\left(\frac{7}{9}\right),\left(\frac{31}{39}\right)\right]$→$\left[\left(\frac{(7 × 4) + 3}{(9 × 4) + 3}\right) = (\frac{28 + 3}{36 + 3}) =\left(\frac{31}{39}\right)\right]$ $\left[\left(\frac{3}{5}\right),\left(\frac{15}{23}\right)\right]$→$\left[\left(\frac{(3 × 4) + 3}{(5 × 4) + 3}\right) =
Question : For pregnant women, a Special Health Care Abhiyan 'Anchal' has been launched in ________.
Option 1: Gujarat
Option 2: Rajasthan
Option 3: Haryana
Option 4: Punjab
Correct Answer: Rajasthan
Solution : The correct answer is Rajasthan.
Anchal Abhiyan is a unique healthcare program designed specifically for expectant mothers in Rajasthan. This strategy gives pregnant women all the medical treatment they need, both before and after giving birth, to lower the rates of maternal and infant
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