SSC CGL English – Cloze Test – Level 2 · Exam Level · Tier I Sprint
SSC CGL English – Cloze Test – Level 2 · Exam Level · Tier I Sprint – 15 questions, subject: English Language & Comprehension. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.
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Read the passage and choose the most appropriate option for each numbered blank (questions 13–17).
Priya reached the office twenty minutes early, but her hands (1) ______ shaking. She had prepared for weeks, yet she was afraid her mind would go blank. In the waiting room, an elderly man sat beside her and asked whether she was (2) ______ for an interview. When she nodded, he smiled and said that nervousness only (3) ______ that a person cares about the result.
They talked about her village, her college and the books she liked. When her name was called, Priya walked in calmly. To her surprise, the elderly man was (4) ______ the panel. "I wanted to see how you speak when you are not trying to (5) ______ anyone," he said.
Correct Answer: C [were]
Explanation:
Plural subject 'her hands' in a past narrative → were.
Grammar formCloze C – blank (2): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: A [waiting]
Explanation:
'was ___ for an interview' → past continuous: was waiting.
Grammar formCloze C – blank (3): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: B [shows]
Explanation:
Singular subject 'nervousness' + a general truth → shows.
PrepositionCloze C – blank (4): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: D [on]
Explanation:
A person sits ON a panel (is a member of it).
Grammar formCloze C – blank (5): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: A [impress]
Explanation:
After 'trying to' a base verb is needed → impress.
Read the passage and choose the most appropriate option for each numbered blank (questions 18–22).
Old phones, chargers and broken laptops often lie forgotten in drawers. When they are finally thrown out, they usually (1) ______ up in the ordinary garbage bin. This is a problem (2) ______ electronic goods contain metals and chemicals that can harm the soil and water if they are not handled properly. At the same time, they also contain valuable materials that can be (3) ______ and reused.
Many cities now have collection points for electronic waste, and some companies take back old devices when customers buy new ones. (4) ______, awareness is still low, and many people do not know where to send their old gadgets. A little effort to find the right collection point can turn waste into a resource (5) ______ of a hazard.
Correct Answer: C [end]
Explanation:
Phrasal verb 'end up in' = finally arrive somewhere.
ConnectorCloze D – blank (2): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: D [because]
Explanation:
The second part gives the reason for the problem → because.
Grammar formCloze D – blank (3): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: B [recovered]
Explanation:
'can be ___' → passive → past participle: recovered (parallel with 'reused').
ConnectorCloze D – blank (4): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: C [However]
Explanation:
Facilities exist ↩ awareness is low – a U-turn → However.
VocabularyCloze D – blank (5): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: B [instead]
Explanation:
'instead of a hazard' = in place of a hazard.
Read the passage and choose the most appropriate option for each numbered blank (questions 23–27).
Long before the sun rose, the small harbour at Ponnur was already (1) ______ with noise. Boats returning from the night's catch lined up along the jetty, and men unloaded baskets of fish (2) ______ shone silver in the lamplight. Auctioneers shouted prices at a speed that only the buyers could follow.
Women who sold fish in the town markets (3) ______ the best baskets, checking the eyes and gills of the fish to make sure they were fresh. By the time the first bus left for the town, most of the catch had been (4) ______, and the harbour slowly grew quiet. Only the gulls stayed on, (5) ______ over the scraps.
Correct Answer: A [alive]
Explanation:
Fixed phrase: a place is 'alive with' noise or activity.
Grammar formCloze E – blank (2): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: D [that]
Explanation:
The relative pronoun for things (fish) is 'that/which'; who/whom are for people.
Grammar formCloze E – blank (3): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: A [chose]
Explanation:
Past narrative, finite verb needed for 'Women … ___ the best baskets' → chose.
Grammar formCloze E – blank (4): choose the most appropriate option.
Correct Answer: C [sold]
Explanation:
'had been ___' → past participle → sold.
Grammar formCloze E – blank (5): choose the most appropriate option.
