DSSSB TGT / PGT · Topic-wise previous year questions
English Previous Year Questions
100 English questions asked in DSSSB TGT / PGT previous year papers, each with the correct answer and explanation. Read them free on UTpaper, or attempt the full papers as timed online tests.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the
correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A.Two IAF MiG fighters from the Adampur base crashed following a mid-air collision.
B.As a result, a fire broke out in four houses, and four boys playing in a field were wounded
when the debris fell on them.
C.The other fighter plane crashed in the fields of Chansu Jattan.
D.According to reports, one plane crashed near Pensara.
AABCD
BDCBA
CACBD
DADCB
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) ADCB
Explanation
A introduces the collision of two MiGs, D says one crashed near Pensara, C says the other crashed in the fields, and B ('As a result') describes the fire and injuries: ADCB.
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that contains
an error.
It is so refreshing to walk through the beach early in the morning.
Arefreshing to walk
Bearly in the morning
Cthrough the beach
DIt is so
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) through the beach
Explanation
We walk 'along' or 'on' the beach, not 'through' it, so 'through the beach' is the error.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the
correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A.We can request the public library to send us all the books that they will be replacing this
year.
B.However, I think, I have solution to this problem.
C.That means, no books till the next academic session.
D.Yesterday I was told that we had exhausted our library funds for this year.
ACBAD
BDBCA
CABCD
DDCBA
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) DCBA
Explanation
D states the problem (funds exhausted), C its result (no books), B introduces a solution, and A gives the solution: DCBA.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
Post covid, international air travel is *hopping* back to normalcy.
Alimping
BNo substitution required
Cfaltering
Dlumbering
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) limping
Explanation
'Hopping' does not fit a slow recovery. The keyed 'limping' suggests travel is returning to normal slowly and with difficulty after Covid.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined phrase in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
The Mysore palace is *gearing up* for the winter festival.
Asetting up
BNo substitution required
Cfortifying
Ddressing up
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) No substitution required
Explanation
'Gearing up' means preparing for something, which fits the palace preparing for the festival, so no substitution is needed.
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that contains
an error.
Whether I do not agree with her views, I respect her for her honesty.
Afor her honesty
Bwith her views
CI respect her
DWhether I do not agree
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) Whether I do not agree
Explanation
'Whether' is wrong here. The clause shows contrast, so it should be 'Although/Though I do not agree'.
DAlott Comprehension: Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. “Any bicycle repair shop around? Can anyone share the location please?” That was a desperate appeal from a woman in our residents’ association’s WhatsApp group. Her child’s bicycle needed urgent mending. “There is one around 2 km away.” Soon came the first response. “No. The shop shut long ago, even before COVID,” someone else chipped in. Where have the bicycle repairers gone? The wayside mechanics who would do a gamut of works on your bicycles for a paltry sum have almost gone extinct. These days, only children use bicycles, and you know a mechanic needs regular customers to survive. There is a time in almost everyone’s life when they become proud owners of their first bicycle. And there comes a stage when we abandon the prized possession and graduate ourselves to a motorised vehicle. Unused and unattended, the bicycles rust and disintegrate and finally end up at scrap dealers. City roads in Kerala have now become totally unfriendly for bicycles. A cyclist is an odd man out on the chaotic road, an unwelcome disruptor among the automobiles arrogantly jostling for space. There are people out there who love to bicycle to their workplaces but dare not, dreading the reckless traffic on the way. Is speed synonymous with progress? The transition from bullock carts to bullet trains denotes mankind’s journey toward development. However, passion for speed and more speed could trigger a gasping race to nowhere. To find time to relish the fruits of development, the curve has to slow down and plateau somewhere. A bicycle is silent like a butterfly, easy like a true friend to possess and maintain. A bicycle symbolises fine balancing, not just on its narrow wheels but a balanced living. This simple carbon-free mode of transport helps the rider to be healthy and heal the habitat. People who cycle to work tend to be less stressed out at workplaces. Motorcyclists whiz past, hiding their heads and thoughts in full-face helmets. Car owners roll up their glasses and cocoon their mind and body from the outside world. A cyclist pedals under the open sky, opens up to friends and fellows on the way and forgets one’s own worries. It seems egalitarianism is part and parcel of the cycling culture.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) Alott Comprehension: Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. “Any bicycle repair shop around? Can anyone share the location please?” That was a desperate appeal from a woman in our residents’ association’s WhatsApp group. Her child’s bicycle needed urgent mending. “There is one around 2 km away.” Soon came the first response. “No. The shop shut long ago, even before COVID,” someone else chipped in. Where have the bicycle repairers gone? The wayside mechanics who would do a gamut of works on your bicycles for a paltry sum have almost gone extinct. These days, only children use bicycles, and you know a mechanic needs regular customers to survive. There is a time in almost everyone’s life when they become proud owners of their first bicycle. And there comes a stage when we abandon the prized possession and graduate ourselves to a motorised vehicle. Unused and unattended, the bicycles rust and disintegrate and finally end up at scrap dealers. City roads in Kerala have now become totally unfriendly for bicycles. A cyclist is an odd man out on the chaotic road, an unwelcome disruptor among the automobiles arrogantly jostling for space. There are people out there who love to bicycle to their workplaces but dare not, dreading the reckless traffic on the way. Is speed synonymous with progress? The transition from bullock carts to bullet trains denotes mankind’s journey toward development. However, passion for speed and more speed could trigger a gasping race to nowhere. To find time to relish the fruits of development, the curve has to slow down and plateau somewhere. A bicycle is silent like a butterfly, easy like a true friend to possess and maintain. A bicycle symbolises fine balancing, not just on its narrow wheels but a balanced living. This simple carbon-free mode of transport helps the rider to be healthy and heal the habitat. People who cycle to work tend to be less stressed out at workplaces. Motorcyclists whiz past, hiding their heads and thoughts in full-face helmets. Car owners roll up their glasses and cocoon their mind and body from the outside world. A cyclist pedals under the open sky, opens up to friends and fellows on the way and forgets one’s own worries. It seems egalitarianism is part and parcel of the cycling culture.
Explanation
The correct spelling is 'Allot' (double l, single t), so 'Alott' is wrong.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
“Any bicycle repair shop around? Can anyone share the location please?”
That was a desperate appeal from a woman in our residents’ association’s WhatsApp group.
Her child’s bicycle needed urgent mending.
“There is one around 2 km away.” Soon came the first response.
“No. The shop shut long ago, even before COVID,” someone else chipped in.
Where have the bicycle repairers gone? The wayside mechanics who would do a gamut of
works on your bicycles for a paltry sum have almost gone extinct. These days, only children
use bicycles, and you know a mechanic needs regular customers to survive. There is a time in
almost everyone’s life when they become proud owners of their first bicycle. And there comes
a stage when we abandon the prized possession and graduate ourselves to a motorised
vehicle. Unused and unattended, the bicycles rust and disintegrate and finally end up at scrap
dealers.
City roads in Kerala have now become totally unfriendly for bicycles. A cyclist is an odd man
out on the chaotic road, an unwelcome disruptor among the automobiles arrogantly jostling
for space. There are people out there who love to bicycle to their workplaces but dare not,
dreading the reckless traffic on the way.
Is speed synonymous with progress? The transition from bullock carts to bullet trains
denotes mankind’s journey toward development. However, passion for speed and more speed
could trigger a gasping race to nowhere. To find time to relish the fruits of development, the
curve has to slow down and plateau somewhere.
A bicycle is silent like a butterfly, easy like a true friend to possess and maintain. A bicycle
symbolises fine balancing, not just on its narrow wheels but a balanced living. This simple
carbon-free mode of transport helps the rider to be healthy and heal the habitat. People who
cycle to work tend to be less stressed out at workplaces. Motorcyclists whiz past, hiding their
heads and thoughts in full-face helmets. Car owners roll up their glasses and cocoon their
mind and body from the outside world. A cyclist pedals under the open sky, opens up to
friends and fellows on the way and forgets one’s own worries. It seems egalitarianism is part
and parcel of the cycling culture.
Which of these advantages of a bicycle does the writer NOT mention in the passage?
AIt is an eco-friendly means of transport.
BIt symbolises balance in life.
CIt easily navigates in traffic jams.
DIt acts as stress buster.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) It easily navigates in traffic jams.
Explanation
The passage mentions that cycling is carbon-free, symbolises balanced living and reduces stress, but says nothing about moving easily through traffic jams.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
“Any bicycle repair shop around? Can anyone share the location please?”
That was a desperate appeal from a woman in our residents’ association’s WhatsApp group.
Her child’s bicycle needed urgent mending.
“There is one around 2 km away.” Soon came the first response.
“No. The shop shut long ago, even before COVID,” someone else chipped in.
Where have the bicycle repairers gone? The wayside mechanics who would do a gamut of
works on your bicycles for a paltry sum have almost gone extinct. These days, only children
use bicycles, and you know a mechanic needs regular customers to survive. There is a time in
almost everyone’s life when they become proud owners of their first bicycle. And there comes
a stage when we abandon the prized possession and graduate ourselves to a motorised
vehicle. Unused and unattended, the bicycles rust and disintegrate and finally end up at scrap
dealers.
City roads in Kerala have now become totally unfriendly for bicycles. A cyclist is an odd man
out on the chaotic road, an unwelcome disruptor among the automobiles arrogantly jostling
for space. There are people out there who love to bicycle to their workplaces but dare not,
dreading the reckless traffic on the way.
Is speed synonymous with progress? The transition from bullock carts to bullet trains
denotes mankind’s journey toward development. However, passion for speed and more speed
could trigger a gasping race to nowhere. To find time to relish the fruits of development, the
curve has to slow down and plateau somewhere.
A bicycle is silent like a butterfly, easy like a true friend to possess and maintain. A bicycle
symbolises fine balancing, not just on its narrow wheels but a balanced living. This simple
carbon-free mode of transport helps the rider to be healthy and heal the habitat. People who
cycle to work tend to be less stressed out at workplaces. Motorcyclists whiz past, hiding their
heads and thoughts in full-face helmets. Car owners roll up their glasses and cocoon their
mind and body from the outside world. A cyclist pedals under the open sky, opens up to
friends and fellows on the way and forgets one’s own worries. It seems egalitarianism is part
and parcel of the cycling culture.
Select the synonym of ‘unfriendly’ as used in the passage.
AInhospitable
BEstranged
CAloof
DLonely
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Inhospitable
Explanation
'Unfriendly' roads are roads that are hostile or unsuitable for cyclists, which is the meaning of 'inhospitable'.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
“Any bicycle repair shop around? Can anyone share the location please?”
That was a desperate appeal from a woman in our residents’ association’s WhatsApp group.
Her child’s bicycle needed urgent mending.
“There is one around 2 km away.” Soon came the first response.
“No. The shop shut long ago, even before COVID,” someone else chipped in.
Where have the bicycle repairers gone? The wayside mechanics who would do a gamut of
works on your bicycles for a paltry sum have almost gone extinct. These days, only children
use bicycles, and you know a mechanic needs regular customers to survive. There is a time in
almost everyone’s life when they become proud owners of their first bicycle. And there comes
a stage when we abandon the prized possession and graduate ourselves to a motorised
vehicle. Unused and unattended, the bicycles rust and disintegrate and finally end up at scrap
dealers.
City roads in Kerala have now become totally unfriendly for bicycles. A cyclist is an odd man
out on the chaotic road, an unwelcome disruptor among the automobiles arrogantly jostling
for space. There are people out there who love to bicycle to their workplaces but dare not,
dreading the reckless traffic on the way.
Is speed synonymous with progress? The transition from bullock carts to bullet trains
denotes mankind’s journey toward development. However, passion for speed and more speed
could trigger a gasping race to nowhere. To find time to relish the fruits of development, the
curve has to slow down and plateau somewhere.
A bicycle is silent like a butterfly, easy like a true friend to possess and maintain. A bicycle
symbolises fine balancing, not just on its narrow wheels but a balanced living. This simple
carbon-free mode of transport helps the rider to be healthy and heal the habitat. People who
cycle to work tend to be less stressed out at workplaces. Motorcyclists whiz past, hiding their
heads and thoughts in full-face helmets. Car owners roll up their glasses and cocoon their
mind and body from the outside world. A cyclist pedals under the open sky, opens up to
friends and fellows on the way and forgets one’s own worries. It seems egalitarianism is part
and parcel of the cycling culture.
What is the purpose of the conversation at the beginning the passage?
ANo particular purpose
BAn interesting way of introducing the topic of disappearing cycle mechanics.
CTo express anger against the disappearing cycle mechanics.
DTo bring to everyone’s notice the chaotic state of roads in Kerala.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) An interesting way of introducing the topic of disappearing cycle mechanics.
Explanation
The WhatsApp exchange about a missing repair shop leads into the writer's question 'Where have the bicycle repairers gone?', so it introduces the topic.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
“Any bicycle repair shop around? Can anyone share the location please?”
That was a desperate appeal from a woman in our residents’ association’s WhatsApp group.
Her child’s bicycle needed urgent mending.
“There is one around 2 km away.” Soon came the first response.
“No. The shop shut long ago, even before COVID,” someone else chipped in.
Where have the bicycle repairers gone? The wayside mechanics who would do a gamut of
works on your bicycles for a paltry sum have almost gone extinct. These days, only children
use bicycles, and you know a mechanic needs regular customers to survive. There is a time in
almost everyone’s life when they become proud owners of their first bicycle. And there comes
a stage when we abandon the prized possession and graduate ourselves to a motorised
vehicle. Unused and unattended, the bicycles rust and disintegrate and finally end up at scrap
dealers.
City roads in Kerala have now become totally unfriendly for bicycles. A cyclist is an odd man
out on the chaotic road, an unwelcome disruptor among the automobiles arrogantly jostling
for space. There are people out there who love to bicycle to their workplaces but dare not,
dreading the reckless traffic on the way.
Is speed synonymous with progress? The transition from bullock carts to bullet trains
denotes mankind’s journey toward development. However, passion for speed and more speed
could trigger a gasping race to nowhere. To find time to relish the fruits of development, the
curve has to slow down and plateau somewhere.
A bicycle is silent like a butterfly, easy like a true friend to possess and maintain. A bicycle
symbolises fine balancing, not just on its narrow wheels but a balanced living. This simple
carbon-free mode of transport helps the rider to be healthy and heal the habitat. People who
cycle to work tend to be less stressed out at workplaces. Motorcyclists whiz past, hiding their
heads and thoughts in full-face helmets. Car owners roll up their glasses and cocoon their
mind and body from the outside world. A cyclist pedals under the open sky, opens up to
friends and fellows on the way and forgets one’s own worries. It seems egalitarianism is part
and parcel of the cycling culture.
What does the writer mean when he says, “It seems egalitarianism is part and parcel of
cycling culture”?
ACycling culture isolates the poor.
BCycling culture encourages the polarisation of the community.
CCycling promotes an elitist culture.
DCycling symbolises the removal of inequalities among people.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) Cycling symbolises the removal of inequalities among people.
Explanation
Egalitarianism is the belief in equality of all people. The writer means cycling brings people together as equals and removes inequalities.
Select the option that contains no spelling error.
AThe horrizontal movements of ocean water are refferred to as currents, while the vertical changes are called upwelling or downwelling.
BThe horizontal movements of ocean water are refered to as currents, while the vertical changes are called upwelling or downwelling.
CThe horizontal movements of ocean water are referred to as currents, while the vertical changes are called upwelling or downwelling.
DThe horrizontal movements of ocean water are referred to as currents, while the vertical changes are called upwelling or downwelling.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) The horizontal movements of ocean water are referred to as currents, while the vertical changes are called upwelling or downwelling.
Explanation
Option C spells horizontal and referred correctly. The other options misspell them as horrizontal, refferred or refered.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the
correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1) Travellers should, however, realise that change cannot be brought by a single person, and
we should join hands together and vow to follow the traffic rules.
2) Eight out of ten road accidents are caused by the people who don’t follow the rules of the
road.
3) Abiding by the traffic rules will only help us in having a smooth traffic flow and preventing
road accidents.
4) Road safety rules are meant for public safety and to keep the traffic congestion in check.
A3,4,1,2
B1,3,2,4
C4,2,1,3
D3,2,1,4
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) 4,2,1,3
Explanation
4 introduces road safety rules, 2 gives the accident statistic, 1 calls for collective effort, and 3 concludes with the benefit of following the rules.
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word/ set of given words.
Garima has a *propensity* for being the attention seeker in the department.
She's inherited from her father a propensity to talk too much
Aaptness
Bdisinclination
Ccompetence
Ddisposition
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) disinclination
Explanation
Propensity means a natural tendency or inclination, so its opposite is disinclination. Aptness and disposition are near-synonyms.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
The ideal detect dog / is extremely energetic / with an excessive / play drive.
AThe ideal detect dog
Bwith an excessive
Cplay drive
Dis extremely energetic
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) The ideal detect dog
Explanation
"Detect" is a verb and cannot describe "dog". The correct noun compound is "detection dog".
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
*Barely has they won* the match when the coach had a heart attack.
ABarely have they won
BBarely did they won
CNo substitution required
DBarely had they won
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) Barely had they won
Explanation
"Barely/Hardly ... when" takes the past perfect with inversion: "Barely had they won the match when ...".
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
The sparrows are / some of the few birds / that engage on / dust bathing.
Asome of the few birds
BThe sparrows are
Cdust bathing
Dthat engage on
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) that engage on
Explanation
The correct phrasal verb is "engage in", so it should read "that engage in dust bathing".
Select the option that contains no spelling error.
AConservation canines are fast becoming indispensable tools for biologists.
BConservation cannines are fast becoming indispensible tools for biologicsts.
CConversatoin canines are fast becoming indispensable tools for biologists.
DConversation canines are fast becoming indespensible tools for biologists.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Conservation canines are fast becoming indispensable tools for biologists.
Explanation
Option A spells conservation, canines, indispensable and biologists correctly. The other options have errors such as cannines, indispensible and Conversatoin.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
*No sooner had the company launch* its new product than it went bankrupt.
ANo substitution required
BNo sooner had the company launched
CNo sooner did the company launched
DNo sooner have the company launched
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) No sooner had the company launched
Explanation
"No sooner had" must be followed by the past participle, so "No sooner had the company launched ... than" is correct.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the
correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1) As one starts growing old, the lens of the eye hardens, loses its transparency and
becomes opaque.
2) Cataract is the major cause of blindness, which is also caused by a damage to the
cornea.
3) It obstructs the light rays from entering the eye.
4) It occurs more often in old age.
A4,2,3,1
B2,4,1,3
C1,2,3,4
D2,1,4,3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) 2,4,1,3
Explanation
2 introduces cataract, 4 says it is common in old age, 1 explains how the lens becomes opaque, and 3 says this blocks light from entering the eye.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
When I was very little, I caught the travel bug. It started after my grandparents first brought
me to their home in France and I have now been to twenty-nine different countries. Each has
given me a unique learning experience.
At five, I marvelled at the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights. When I was eight, I stood in the
heart of Piazza San Marco feeding hordes of pigeons, then glided down Venetian waterways
on sleek gondolas. At thirteen, I saw the ancient, megalithic structure of Stonehenge and
walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the thousand-year-old stones were still in
place.
It was through exploring cultures around the world that I first became interested in language.
It began with French, which taught me the importance of pronunciation. I remember once
asking a store owner in Paris where Rue des Pyramides was. But when I pronounced it PYR–
a–mides instead of pyr–A–mides, with more accent on the A, she looked at me bewildered.
In the eighth grade, I became fascinated with Spanish and aware of its similarities with
English through cognates. Baseball in Spanish, for example, is béisbol, which looks different
but sounds nearly the same. This was incredible to me as it made speech and comprehension
more fluid, and even today I find that cognates come to the rescue when I forget how to say
something in Spanish.
Then, in high school, I developed an enthusiasm for Chinese. As I studied Chinese at my
school, I marvelled how if just one stroke was missing from a character, the meaning is lost. I
loved how long words were formed by combining simpler characters, so Huǒ meaning fire
and Shān meaning mountain can be joined to create Huǒshān, which means volcano. I love
spending hours at a time practicing the characters and I can feel the beauty and rhythm as I
form them.
Identify the tone of the given passage.
ASad
BHypocritical
CNarrative and descriptive
DOptimistic
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) Narrative and descriptive
Explanation
The author narrates personal travel and language-learning experiences in order and describes places vividly, so the tone is narrative and descriptive.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
When I was very little, I caught the travel bug. It started after my grandparents first brought
me to their home in France and I have now been to twenty-nine different countries. Each has
given me a unique learning experience.
At five, I marvelled at the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights. When I was eight, I stood in the
heart of Piazza San Marco feeding hordes of pigeons, then glided down Venetian waterways
on sleek gondolas. At thirteen, I saw the ancient, megalithic structure of Stonehenge and
walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the thousand-year-old stones were still in
place.
It was through exploring cultures around the world that I first became interested in language.
It began with French, which taught me the importance of pronunciation. I remember once
asking a store owner in Paris where Rue des Pyramides was. But when I pronounced it PYR–
a–mides instead of pyr–A–mides, with more accent on the A, she looked at me bewildered.
In the eighth grade, I became fascinated with Spanish and aware of its similarities with
English through cognates. Baseball in Spanish, for example, is béisbol, which looks different
but sounds nearly the same. This was incredible to me as it made speech and comprehension
more fluid, and even today I find that cognates come to the rescue when I forget how to say
something in Spanish.
Then, in high school, I developed an enthusiasm for Chinese. As I studied Chinese at my
school, I marvelled how if just one stroke was missing from a character, the meaning is lost. I
loved how long words were formed by combining simpler characters, so Huǒ meaning fire
and Shān meaning mountain can be joined to create Huǒshān, which means volcano. I love
spending hours at a time practicing the characters and I can feel the beauty and rhythm as I
form them.
Identify the most suitable title for the given passage.
AThe Beautiful World
BSolo Travellers
CTravel and Language
D7 Wonders of the World
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) Travel and Language
Explanation
The passage moves from travelling to many countries to learning French, Spanish and Chinese, so "Travel and Language" fits best.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
When I was very little, I caught the travel bug. It started after my grandparents first brought
me to their home in France and I have now been to twenty-nine different countries. Each has
given me a unique learning experience.
At five, I marvelled at the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights. When I was eight, I stood in the
heart of Piazza San Marco feeding hordes of pigeons, then glided down Venetian waterways
on sleek gondolas. At thirteen, I saw the ancient, megalithic structure of Stonehenge and
walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the thousand-year-old stones were still in
place.
It was through exploring cultures around the world that I first became interested in language.
It began with French, which taught me the importance of pronunciation. I remember once
asking a store owner in Paris where Rue des Pyramides was. But when I pronounced it PYR–
a–mides instead of pyr–A–mides, with more accent on the A, she looked at me bewildered.
In the eighth grade, I became fascinated with Spanish and aware of its similarities with
English through cognates. Baseball in Spanish, for example, is béisbol, which looks different
but sounds nearly the same. This was incredible to me as it made speech and comprehension
more fluid, and even today I find that cognates come to the rescue when I forget how to say
something in Spanish.
Then, in high school, I developed an enthusiasm for Chinese. As I studied Chinese at my
school, I marvelled how if just one stroke was missing from a character, the meaning is lost. I
loved how long words were formed by combining simpler characters, so Huǒ meaning fire
and Shān meaning mountain can be joined to create Huǒshān, which means volcano. I love
spending hours at a time practicing the characters and I can feel the beauty and rhythm as I
form them.
Which word from the passage is the most appropriate synonym of the word ‘unbelievable ’?
AAmazed
BBewildered
CIncredible
DEnthusiasm
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) Incredible
Explanation
The author calls the cognate similarity "incredible", which means unbelievable.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
When I was very little, I caught the travel bug. It started after my grandparents first brought
me to their home in France and I have now been to twenty-nine different countries. Each has
given me a unique learning experience.
At five, I marvelled at the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights. When I was eight, I stood in the
heart of Piazza San Marco feeding hordes of pigeons, then glided down Venetian waterways
on sleek gondolas. At thirteen, I saw the ancient, megalithic structure of Stonehenge and
walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the thousand-year-old stones were still in
place.
It was through exploring cultures around the world that I first became interested in language.
It began with French, which taught me the importance of pronunciation. I remember once
asking a store owner in Paris where Rue des Pyramides was. But when I pronounced it PYR–
a–mides instead of pyr–A–mides, with more accent on the A, she looked at me bewildered.
In the eighth grade, I became fascinated with Spanish and aware of its similarities with
English through cognates. Baseball in Spanish, for example, is béisbol, which looks different
but sounds nearly the same. This was incredible to me as it made speech and comprehension
more fluid, and even today I find that cognates come to the rescue when I forget how to say
something in Spanish.
Then, in high school, I developed an enthusiasm for Chinese. As I studied Chinese at my
school, I marvelled how if just one stroke was missing from a character, the meaning is lost. I
loved how long words were formed by combining simpler characters, so Huǒ meaning fire
and Shān meaning mountain can be joined to create Huǒshān, which means volcano. I love
spending hours at a time practicing the characters and I can feel the beauty and rhythm as I
form them.
Which word from the passage is the most appropriate ANTONYM of the word ‘ ordinary’?
AMarvelled
BFascinated
CUnique
DBewildered
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Correct answer: (C) Unique
Explanation
"Unique" (one of a kind, special) is the opposite of ordinary. The author says each country gave "a unique learning experience".
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
When I was very little, I caught the travel bug. It started after my grandparents first brought
me to their home in France and I have now been to twenty-nine different countries. Each has
given me a unique learning experience.
At five, I marvelled at the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights. When I was eight, I stood in the
heart of Piazza San Marco feeding hordes of pigeons, then glided down Venetian waterways
on sleek gondolas. At thirteen, I saw the ancient, megalithic structure of Stonehenge and
walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the thousand-year-old stones were still in
place.
It was through exploring cultures around the world that I first became interested in language.
It began with French, which taught me the importance of pronunciation. I remember once
asking a store owner in Paris where Rue des Pyramides was. But when I pronounced it PYR–
a–mides instead of pyr–A–mides, with more accent on the A, she looked at me bewildered.
In the eighth grade, I became fascinated with Spanish and aware of its similarities with
English through cognates. Baseball in Spanish, for example, is béisbol, which looks different
but sounds nearly the same. This was incredible to me as it made speech and comprehension
more fluid, and even today I find that cognates come to the rescue when I forget how to say
something in Spanish.
Then, in high school, I developed an enthusiasm for Chinese. As I studied Chinese at my
school, I marvelled how if just one stroke was missing from a character, the meaning is lost. I
loved how long words were formed by combining simpler characters, so Huǒ meaning fire
and Shān meaning mountain can be joined to create Huǒshān, which means volcano. I love
spending hours at a time practicing the characters and I can feel the beauty and rhythm as I
form them.
The author was fascinated by which of the following when he was thirteen?
AAll the twenty-nine different countries he had visited
BGreat Wall of China
CEiffel Tower in the City of Lights
DPiazza San Marco
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Correct answer: (B) Great Wall of China
Explanation
At thirteen the author saw Stonehenge and walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the ancient stones were still in place.
Rearrange the parts of the sentence in correct order.
Developing basic
P. is the only way to face an
Q. infrastructure and the production sector
R. responsibility to help states in this respect
S. economic crisis and the Centre has the
AQPSR
BRSPQ
CSRPQ
DPRSQ
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Correct answer: (A) QPSR
Explanation
The sentence reads: "Developing basic infrastructure and the production sector (Q) is the only way to face an (P) economic crisis and the Centre has the (S) responsibility to help states in this respect (R)."
The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. Out of the four options
given, select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
P. As the Plains was settled and grassland converted for crops and grazing, fires were
seen as a threat and extinguished.
Q. Historically, fires set by lightning burned naturally at regular intervals across the
Great Plains.
R. Native Americans, who saw the benefits, periodically burned the prairie to improve
grazing conditions for buffalo.
S. In the last 50 years, as woody plants began increasing and transforming the
grassland into a shrub ecosystem, fire has returned to the Plains in the form of
controlled burns.
ASRQP
BPSQR
CRSQP
DQRPS
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Correct answer: (D) QRPS
Explanation
Q introduces natural fires on the Great Plains, R shows Native Americans also used fire, P explains settlers suppressed fire, and S describes its modern return as controlled burns. Hence QRPS.
A sentence has been given with a blank to be filled with an appropriate option. Choose
the correct alternative.
He took another bite and chewed ______.
Aslow
Bslower
Cslowly
Dslowest
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) slowly
Explanation
The blank modifies the verb "chewed", so an adverb is needed: "chewed slowly".
How to use these DSSSB TGT / PGT English questions
Every question here was asked in a real DSSSB TGT / PGT paper; the paper and shift are shown on the card, and the number opens the question on its own page. Try each one before tapping Show answer, then attempt the full DSSSB TGT / PGT papers as timed tests to check your speed under exam conditions.
