Learn 79 questions from SSC GD 2025 Shift 1

SSC GD 2025 Shift 1 Questions

• Determination: The quality of being firm in purpose; resoluteness.

• Cowardice (Antonym): Lack of bravery or firmness; being fearful.

• While "determination" is about strength of will, "cowardice" represents a lack of it in the face of challenge.

•  In English, certain words naturally "pair" together. We say a singer performs live.

• "Risen," "lighted," and "shown" do not fit the context of a musical event in the way "performed" does.

Incorrect: Evidance

Correct: Evidence (Ends with '-ence').

• Spicy: Having a strong, hot, or pungent flavor.

• Mild (Antonym): Not strong, hot, or sharp in flavor.

• The sentence explicitly mentions "less heat," which leads directly to "mild."

• Copious: Abundant in supply or quantity.

Meager (Antonym): Lacking in quantity or quality; lean/thin.

• Incorrect: Appoitment

Correct: Appointment (Missing the 'n' after 'poi').

• Placate: To make someone less angry or hostile.

Appease (Synonym): To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands.

• The Sentence: "The article publishes in the newspaper today."

The Fix: An article cannot "publish" itself; it must be published by someone else. Therefore, we need the Passive Voice.

Has been published (D): This indicates a completed action that is relevant to the present day.

• onciliatory (C): This means intended or likely to placate or pacify.

• If a diplomat is "diffusing tension," they are using a peacemaking (conciliatory) approach rather than an abrasive or confrontational one.

• idiom: A man of letters.

Meaning: This refers to a person who is scholarly, well-read, or specialized in literature and writing.

• TV Somanathan assumed the charge as the Cabinet Secretary on September 2, 2024.

• The tenure of the Cabinet Secretary is typically two years, but can be extended based on the needs of the government and individual performance.

• The Malwa culture, a significant Chalcolithic (Copper-Stone Age) civilization, flourished in India.

• Archaeological evidence indicates a dense concentration of Malwa settlements within the central Narmada basin.

• The width of a tennis court for a doubles match is specified as 36 feet (approximately 10.97 meters).

• This width is measured from the singles sideline to the opposite singles sideline.

• The doubles alleys, which are the extra strips on either side of the singles court, are included in this 36-foot width.

The Earth's lithosphere is broken into several large and small tectonic plates. The interactions at the boundaries of these plates are responsible for most of Earth's geological activity. There are primarily three types of plate tectonic boundaries

• Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal leader of India's independence movement, articulated a profound vision of Swaraj (self-rule).

• He believed that true independence was not merely political freedom from British rule but also the socio-economic emancipation of the masses.

• The Khilafat Movement was a pan-Islamic, political protest movement launched by Muslims of British India.

• It was launched in 1919 to pressure the British government to retain the Ottoman Caliphate, which the Muslims considered essential for their religious beliefs.

• When a predator, such as the hyena, is removed from an ecosystem, the population of its prey is likely to increase significantly.

• In this case, the removal of hyenas would lead to an uncontrolled increase in the impala population.

Impala will die of starvation due to higher population.

• The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted during the period 2019-21, provides critical insights into the health and nutritional status of the population in India.

• According to the findings of NFHS-5, approximately 7.32% of the Indian population did not have access to safe and adequate drinking water facilities during this survey period.

• Increased Government Spending: Governments may increase spending on infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, public transport), defense, education, or healthcare. This directly injects money into the economy, creating jobs and increasing demand for goods and services.

• Gombe Habba, also known as Gombe Jathre or Bombe Mane, is a significant festival celebrated in the state of Karnataka, particularly in regions like Mysore and Bangalore.

• It coincides with the auspicious period of Navaratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her various forms. The festival typically falls between September and October.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Kabaddi Rules and Scoring</h3><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Lona in Kabaddi</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>A Lona in Kabaddi refers to the event where a team successfully tackles all the players of the opposing team.</li><li>When a team achieves a Lona, they are awarded two extra points.</li><li>This is in addition to the points earned for each individual successful tackle or raid.</li><li>A Lona effectively doubles the points for that particular round for the team that successfully executes it.</li><li>For example, if Team A successfully tackles all players of Team B, Team A scores 2 points for the Lona.</li><li>This rule significantly impacts the strategy and scoring dynamics of the game, encouraging aggressive defense and coordinated tackling.</li></ul><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Individual Player Scoring</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>In Kabaddi, points are primarily scored through successful raids and tackles.</li><li>A raider scores a point for touching an opponent or for stepping into the opponent's half of the court.</li><li>Defenders score a point for successfully tackling a raider.</li><li>Each successful tackle or raid generally earns one point.</li><li>The Lona is a bonus that is awarded on top of these individual points.</li></ul><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Origin and Popularity</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>Kabaddi is a popular team sport of Indian origin.</li><li>It is widely played across South Asia and has gained international recognition.</li><li>The scoring system, including the Lona, is a fundamental aspect of its gameplay.</li></ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">RD Burman: A Pioneer in Indian Film Music</h3>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Introduction to Bossa Nova Rhythm</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Bossa nova is a style of music that originated in Brazil in the late 1950s.</li>
 <li>It is characterized by its syncopated rhythms, often derived from the samba, and its sophisticated harmonies, influenced by jazz.</li>
 <li>The term "bossa nova" roughly translates to "new trend" or "new wave" in Portuguese.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">RD Burman's Contribution</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Rahul Dev Burman, popularly known as RD Burman or Pancham Da, was a legendary Indian music director and composer.</li>
 <li>He is widely credited with being the first to introduce the Brazilian bossa nova rhythm into Hindi film music.</li>
 <li>This innovative fusion brought a fresh, sophisticated, and internationally-influenced sound to Bollywood soundtracks.</li>
 <li>RD Burman achieved this by skillfully incorporating the characteristic gentle, syncopated beat and jazz-like harmonic progressions of bossa nova into his compositions.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Notable Examples and Impact</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>His experimentation with bossa nova can be heard in several of his iconic songs, contributing to their unique and enduring appeal.</li>
 <li>This musical innovation demonstrated RD Burman's experimental nature and his ability to draw inspiration from global music genres to create distinctively Indian sounds.</li>
 <li>His work significantly broadened the sonic palette of Indian film music, influencing many subsequent composers.</li>
</ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Green Revolution and Agricultural Transformation</h3><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>The Green Revolution, a period of significant agricultural advancement, primarily focused on increasing food grain production.</li><li>A pivotal change observed was the transition from traditional, low-yield crop varieties to modern, high-yield varieties (HYVs).</li><li>These HYVs, developed through scientific research, were characterized by their ability to produce substantially more grain per unit of land.</li><li>This shift was facilitated by the introduction of new farming techniques, including the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced irrigation systems.</li><li>The adoption of HYVs, particularly of wheat and rice, led to a dramatic increase in agricultural output in many developing countries, starting from the mid-1960s.</li><li>This technological package was instrumental in preventing widespread famine and addressing food shortages.</li><li>Key countries that benefited immensely include India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.</li><li>The development of HYVs was a result of organized research efforts, notably at institutions like the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).</li><li>While the Green Revolution brought about increased productivity, it also raised concerns about environmental sustainability and social equity, such as the increased use of chemical inputs and the potential displacement of small farmers.</li></ul>

Shift from cash crops to subsistence farming

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Mahabir Singh Guddu: Padma Shri Awardee 2024</h3>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>Mahabir Singh Guddu, a distinguished folk dancer, was honored with the Padma Shri in 2024.</li>
<li>He hails from the state of Haryana in India.</li>
<li>He is recognized for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional folk dances of Haryana.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Significance of Padma Shri Award:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India, awarded by the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is conferred upon citizens for their distinguished services in various fields, including arts, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.</li>
<li>The award was instituted in 1954.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Folk Dances of Haryana:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>Haryana has a rich tradition of folk dances, often performed during festivals, harvest seasons, and social gatherings.</li>
<li>Some prominent folk dances from Haryana include:<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>Ghoomar (though more associated with Rajasthan, variations are seen)</li>
<li>Dhamal</li>
<li>Phag Dance</li>
<li>Khoria Dance</li>
<li>Loor Dance</li>
</ul></li>
<li>These dances are characterized by their vibrant costumes, energetic movements, and rhythmic music.</li>
</ul>

The word Malice refers to the intention or desire to do evil or cause harm to others; it is characterized by ill will or spite. To find the antonym, we look for a word that expresses kindness, care, or understanding toward others.

Sympathy (Antonym): This means feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune, or an understanding between people. It is the opposite of wanting to cause harm.

Animosity (Synonym): This means strong hostility or ill will.

Resentment (Synonym): This is a feeling of indignant ill will at something regarded as a wrong or insult.

Antipathy (Synonym): This refers to a deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion.

Since options A, C, and D are all related to negative feelings or hatred (synonyms), Sympathy is the only word that represents a positive, caring emotion, making it the appropriate antonym.

The error lies in the segment "submit the assignment latter."

The word "latter" is used to refer to the second of two things mentioned (e.g., "Between tea and coffee, I prefer the latter"). In this sentence, the supervisor is talking about time. Therefore, the correct word to use is "later", which means "at a time in the future" or "afterwards."

Latter: The second of two.

Later: At a subsequent time (Correct for this context).

Correct Sentence: The supervisor advised him to focus on the examination first and submit the assignment later.

The error in this sentence is a Misplaced Adverb. An adverb should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies to ensure the meaning is clear.

In the sentence, "Politely, she takes the bus to work," the placement of the adverb "Politely" at the beginning of the sentence suggests that the act of taking the bus is a polite action, which does not make sense in this context.

The intended meaning is likely that she speaks or behaves politely, or perhaps she takes the bus quietly. However, if the adverb is meant to describe her manner of traveling or her interaction with others, it should follow the verb or be placed at the end of the clause. If the sentence meant she is a polite person in general, an adjective would be used (e.g., "She is polite"). Placing it at the start as a sentence adverb changes the logic of the action "taking the bus."

Incorrect: Politely, she takes the bus...

Correct (Contextual): She takes the bus to work regularly (Frequency) or She quietly takes the bus to work.

The blank requires a word that connects two actions happening at the same time: "breathing air out" and "eating."

While (Correct): This is a conjunction/preposition used to indicate that two actions are occurring simultaneously. In this context, as you eat, you also breathe out, which allows your sense of smell to contribute to the perception of flavor.

In: Usually indicates a position or a period of time (e.g., "in the morning"), but it doesn't fit the action of eating here.

From: Indicates a source or a starting point, which is logically incorrect for this sentence.

With: Usually indicates accompaniment or the tool used. While we eat with a fork, we don't breathe air out with the act of eating in this grammatical structure.

The sentence requires the past participle form of the verb to function as an adjective describing Nehal's childhood.

Filled (Correct): When we say something was "filled with," we mean it was full of a particular quality or thing. Since the sentence refers to the past ("Growing up," "was"), the passive structure "was + past participle" is required.

Full: While "full" has a similar meaning, the correct prepositional phrase would be "full of," not "full with."

Filling: This is the continuous form (present participle). Saying a childhood "was filling" would imply the childhood itself was performing the action of filling something else, which is logically incorrect.

Fills: This is the simple present tense and cannot follow the auxiliary verb "was" in this context.

The first part of the passage describes the Marathas as a "powerful indigenous force" that played a "pivotal role in shaping the subcontinent's political landscape."

To fit the context of having "vast territories" and "receiving tributes from regions beyond their direct rule," the word must indicate authority or governance.

Controlled (Correct): This aligns with the historical fact that the Maratha Empire governed and had authority over large parts of India during the 18th century.

Survived: This implies they merely existed or lasted through a difficult time, which contradicts the description of them being a "powerful force" with "vast territories."

Gifted: This would mean they gave the territories away, which does not fit the context of them being a dominant power.

Lost: While they eventually lost territory to the British, this specific sentence describes their period of influence and strength before the major wars.

The sentence reads: "The loss of their freedom rankled in their hearts."

Contextual Clue: The passage mentions that the Second Anglo-Maratha War had "shattered the power" of the chiefs. When power is shattered, freedom is taken away. The word "rankled" means to cause persistent annoyance or resentment. Only a negative event, like losing something valuable, would "rankle" in someone's heart.

Grammar (Noun vs. Verb): The blank follows the article "The," which indicates that a noun is needed.

Loss (Noun): The state of no longer having something. (Correct)

Lost (Verb/Adjective): The past tense of lose. (Incorrect as a head noun here).

Why other options are wrong:

Empowerment: This means gaining power, which contradicts the "shattered power" mentioned earlier.

Benefit: Losing freedom is not a benefit.

Disappearance: While freedom "disappeared," in the context of political and military history, the term "loss of freedom" or "loss of sovereignty" is the standard idiomatic expression.

The sentence describes the relationship between the Peshwa and the British Resident, noting that the Peshwa was "smarting under" the control exercised by the British.

Contextual Clue: To "smart under" something means to feel sharp pain or resentment because of it. This implies that the control was harsh, strict, or difficult to endure.

Rigid (Correct): This means stiff, unyielding, or extremely strict. In historical terms, the British "Subsidiary Alliance" and the control of the Resident were often rigid, leaving the local rulers with no real power. This directly explains why the Peshwa was resentful and trying to organize a "united front" against them.

Satisfying / Pleasant: These are positive words. If the control were satisfying or pleasant, the Peshwa would not be "smarting" or making a "desperate attempt" to regain independence.

Orthodox: This refers to following traditional or established beliefs (usually in religion or social customs). It does not fit the context of military or political control.

Correct Sentence Segment: "...Peshwa who was smarting under the rigid control exercised by the British Resident."

The sentence describes the outcome of the Treaty of Poona (1817), where the British Resident, Elphinstone, forced the Peshwa into a position of weakness.

Renounced (Correct): To "renounce" a claim or a title means to formally declare one's abandonment of it. Historically, through this treaty, Bajirao II was forced to give up his claim as the head of the Maratha Confederacy. This fits perfectly with the word "claim" used in the sentence.

Resigned: This usually refers to leaving a job or office (e.g., "resigned from the post"). While similar, in legal and historical contexts involving titles and claims to power, "renounced" is the precise term used.

Retreated: This refers to moving back or withdrawing from a battlefield. One does not "retreat a claim."

Remembered: This means to recall information. It is the opposite of what would happen during a forced treaty intended to strip someone of their power.

Correct Sentence Segment: "The Peshwa renounced his claim as the ‘Peshwa’."

The sentence describes the military reaction of the British after being attacked by Peshwa Bajirao II at Kirki (Khadki).

Retaliated (Correct): To "retaliate" means to make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack. Since the passage states that the Peshwa attacked the British first, the logical response was for the British to strike back. This counter-attack resulted in them occupying Pune.

Retreated: This means to withdraw from enemy forces. If the British had retreated, they would have moved away rather than "occupying Pune."

Revenge: This is primarily a noun. Grammatically, the sentence requires a verb in the past tense to match the parallel verbs "attacked" and "occupied."

Restricted: This means to put a limit on something or someone. It does not fit the context of an active military engagement or the capturing of a city.

Correct Sentence Segment: "The British forces retaliated and occupied Pune."

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