Staff Selection Commission Stenographer Grade C & D Exam
Question : Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
Courage
Option 1: Timidity
Option 2: Valour
Option 3: Cowardice
Option 4: Ingenuity
Correct Answer: Valour
Solution : The correct choice is the second option.
"Courage" means the ability to control fear and be willing to deal with dangerous situations. It also means bravery. "Valour" means strength or bravery exhibited in the face of danger, making it the synonym of "courage".
The meanings of the other options are as follows:
Therefore, the correct answer is valour.
Question : Directions: In the question, a part of the sentence is in bold. Below are given alternatives to the bold part at (1), (2), and (3) that may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, your answer is (4).
He cited a number of reasons for his absence.
(1) sited
(2) recited
(3) sighted
(4) No Improvement
Option 1: (1)
Option 2: (2)
Option 3: (3)
Option 4: (4)
Correct Answer: (4)
Solution : The correct choice is the fourth option.
"Cited" means to mention or refer to a source or example as evidence or support for an argument or statement.
Question : Comprehension: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Before the advent of soap, the primary cleansing agent in ancient India was taken from soap nuts (reetha) from the plant Sapindus saponaria. The literal translation of Sapindus is sap = soap and indus = India. In other words, soap from India!
The nut was used in ancient China as well and its usage spread from India to Middle Asia and then Europe. Soap nuts are boiled to soften them up and then crushed to filter out the essence which contains the all-important cleansing chemicals. It lathers but in small quantities. Ancient India also used shikai or shikakai (a variant of the acacia plant) as a hair and body cleanser.
The skincare routines of ancient Indians involved the addition of a variety of herbs such as turmeric, tulsi (holy basil), neem (bark and leaves), lotus petals and sandalwood paste amongst others which were common ingredients in their skincare creams.
Another worth mentioning soap in skin care is the Aleppo soap, which originated from the Syrian city of Aleppo. This is considered one of the purest soaps as it is made with all natural ingredients. Aleppo soap does not dry out the skin. It also moisturises and nourishes the skin and is purported to benefit a host of skin problems such as eczema, skin breakouts, inflammatory skin conditions, insect bites, and skin infections. However, the exact origin of the soap is lost in time with the earliest written record dating as far back as the 8th Century AD. After the Crusades, European nations adopted Aleppo soap and started producing their own variations. However, the ancient city of Aleppo thrived on trade for thousands of years, famous for being the endpoint of the illustrious Silk Road trade route that bridged the East and the West.
Generations of merchant families and manufacturers made the unique soap for thousands of years and the formulation has remained surprisingly unchanged in all this time retaining its original form. Olive oil, sweet bay (laurel) oil, sodium hydroxide and water are the main ingredients of this soap. Bay (Laurus nobilis) has remarkable antibacterial and antifungal properties and could explain some of the benefits of this soap in conditions such as acne, insect bites and skin infections.
Question: Which of the following things did people in ancient India use for body and hair wash?
Option 1: Shikakai
Option 2: Neem bark
Option 3: Soap nuts (reetha)
Option 4: Sandalwood paste
Correct Answer: Shikakai
Solution : The correct choice is the first option.
The passage explicitly mentions that ancient India used shikai, or shikakai, as a hair and body cleanser. While soap nuts (reetha) are also mentioned as a primary cleansing agent, shikakai is specifically highlighted as a variant of the acacia plant used for hair and body cleansing.
Therefore, the correct answer is shikakai.
Question : Which ruler founded the famous Vikramshila University for Buddhists?
Option 1: Mahipala
Option 2: Devapala
Option 3: Gopala
Option 4: Dharmapala
Correct Answer: Dharmapala
Solution : The correct option is Dharmapala.
In the late 8th or early 9th century, the Pala ruler Dharmapala founded Vikramashila. It had prospered for almost four centuries. With more than a hundred teachers and over a thousand students, Vikramashila was one of the biggest Buddhist universities. It produced great intellectuals who were frequently invited by other nations to spread Buddhist knowledge, culture, and religion.
Question : Directions: In a code language, we are going is coded as ca da ga, you are happy is coded as sa ga ta, she is going is coded as ma ra ca, and you were is coded as ta ka. What is the code for the word we were happy in that language?
Option 1: sa da ca
Option 2: ka da sa
Option 3: ta da sa
Option 4: ka da ga
Correct Answer: ka da sa
Solution : Given: 1. we are going⇒ca da ga 2. you are happy⇒sa ga ta 3. she is going⇒ma ra ca 4. you were⇒ta ka
On, comparing all the coded sentences, we find that – In sentences 1 and 2, are is a common word, and ga is a common code. In sentences 2 and 4, you is a common word, and ta is a common code. In sentences 1 and 3, going is a common word, and ca is a common code. The remaining words and codes in the given sentences are we, were, and happy, and da, ka, and sa. Finally, are→ga; you→ta; going→ca; we→da; were→ka; happy→da
So, we were happy will be coded as ka da sa. Hence, the second option is correct.
Question : Given below are four sentences, three of which are jumbled. Pick the option that gives the correct order. A. Although he was successful in international industry, George was still not a very well-educated man. B. So, George never had any difficulties with him and trusted him completely. C. Usually, he did not have much time to go through a speech, but the speechwriter wrote clever things for George to say. D. He began to have speeches written for him by a special speechwriter.
Option 1: ADBC
Option 2: ACBD
Option 3: ADCB
Option 4: ABCD
Correct Answer: ADCB
Solution : The correct choice is the third option.
Explanation: The flow of information in this order is coherent and logical. It starts with George being successful in international industry (A), establishing his background. Then, it introduces the fact that he did not have much time to go through a speech, but a speechwriter wrote clever things for him (D), providing insight into his approach to speeches. The subsequent sentence (C) elaborates on the role of the speechwriter and how George managed his speeches despite time constraints. Finally, sentence B fits well at the end, mentioning George's trust in the speechwriter, creating a conclusion that ties together his success, the role of the speechwriter, and the trust they shared.
Therefore, the correct order is ADCB.
Question : Directions: In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative that will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "No Improvement".
There's no valid reason (why he should be permit) to turn this place into his picnic spot.
(1) why he should permitting
(2) why he should be permitted
(3) why he should be permission
Correct Answer: (2)
Solution : The sentence can be improved using the second option: why he should be permitted.
It correctly uses the passive voice structure and conveys the idea that he should be allowed or given permission to use the place as a picnic spot. The verb "permit" should be in its past participle form, which is permitted, to form the passive voice structure.
Therefore, the correct sentence is: "There's no valid reason why he should be permitted to turn this place into his picnic spot."
Question : Directions: In the following question, some parts of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If the sentence is free from error, select "No Error".
Mrs.Gupta invited (1) / all her daughter-in-laws (2) / to the grand party last Sunday. (3) / No Error (4)
There is an error in the use of the plural form of the noun in the sentence. The compound noun daughter-in-laws should be replaced with daughters-in-law to convey the intended meaning that Mrs Gupta invited all of her daughters-in-law to a grand party that occurred on the previous Sunday. The appropriate plural form to describe the wives of her sons is daughters-in-law.
Therefore, the correct sentence is: Mrs.Gupta invited all her daughters-in-law to the grand party last Sunday.
Question : Comprehension: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each number.
Anger is the most dangerous (1) _______as we lose control of (2) _________when in its grip. The (3) _________of such behaviour can be severe. The first (4) _________of anger is that harsh words may (5) __________the other person deeply. Many relationships are affected (6) __________because of anger, which may cause (7) __________and hatred. What are we (8) ___________from anger? Nothing. It can disturb the people (9) __________you. Anger may become your biggest weakness, and you may be (10) __________others to take advantage of it.
Question: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 3.
Option 1: beginnings
Option 2: sources
Option 3: consequences
Option 4: roots
Correct Answer: consequences
Explanation: In this context, the sentence is discussing the negative effects or outcomes of anger. The word that fits most appropriately is consequences. The phrase "the consequences of such behaviour can be severe" suggests that the passage is focusing on the aftermath or results of exhibiting anger.
Question : Select the correct passive form of the given sentence. The locusts have attacked the crops in Western India.
Option 1: The locusts in Western India have been attacked by the crops.
Option 2: The crops in Western India have been attacked by the locusts.
Option 3: The crops in Western India have attacked the locusts.
Option 4: The crops in Western India were attacked by the locusts.
Correct Answer: The crops in Western India have been attacked by the locusts.
Passive voice is the voice in which the object experiences an action rather than the person who performs the action. Hence, the object in the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive voice.
The structure of the present perfect tense in the passive form is: "Plural object + have been + past participle form of the main verb + by + agent of the action."
Therefore, the correct answer is: "The crops in Western India have been attacked by the locusts."
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