Learn 89 questions from SSC MTS 2024 Shift 2

SSC MTS 2024 Shift 2 Questions

An architect (starts with a vowel sound).

A modern / a traditional / a blend (all start with consonant sounds).

Quick-	Moving or capable of moving at high speed.

Exceptional-	Far above average; worthy of a standing ovation.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Role of the Prime Minister in a Parliamentary System</h3><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>The Prime Minister (PM) is the head of the government in a parliamentary system.</li><li>This individual is typically the leader of the political party or coalition that holds a majority of seats in the lower house of parliament (e.g., the Lok Sabha in India).</li><li>The PM is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country and heads the executive branch of the government.</li><li>Key responsibilities include:<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>Forming the Council of Ministers and assigning them portfolios.</li><li>Presiding over cabinet meetings.</li><li>Acting as the chief advisor to the President (or head of state).</li><li>Being the principal spokesperson for the government, both domestically and internationally.</li><li>Coordinating the work of various government departments.</li></ul></li></ul><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Distinction from Head of State</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>It is crucial to distinguish the head of government from the head of state.</li><li>In many parliamentary systems, the President (in a republic) or a Monarch (in a constitutional monarchy) serves as the head of state.</li><li>The head of state is often a ceremonial figure, representing the nation, while the head of government holds actual executive power.</li><li>In India, the President is the constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.</li></ul><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Constitutional Provisions (India)</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>Article 74 of the Indian Constitution states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President.</li><li>Article 75 outlines the appointment and removal of the Prime Minister and other ministers. The PM is appointed by the President, and other ministers are appointed on the PM's advice.</li><li>The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha).</li></ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">First Test Match of India</h3><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>India's inaugural Test match in cricket was played against England.</li><li>This historic match took place from June 25 to 27, 1932, at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London.</li><li>India batted first and scored 183 runs in their first innings. England replied with 258 runs. In the second innings, India was bowled out for 58, and England achieved victory by 158 runs.</li><li>Although India lost the match, it marked a significant milestone in Indian cricket history, paving the way for its future Test-playing status.</li><li>The captain of the Indian team in this first Test was C.K. Nayudu.</li><li>England, being the birthplace of cricket and the dominant cricketing power at the time, was the natural opponent for India's Test debut.</li><li>This match was the first time India competed as a Test-playing nation.</li></ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Thomas Babington Macaulay and his role in Indian education</h3>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859) was a British historian, politician, and essayist.</li>
 <li>He is famously known for his minute on Indian education, presented to the British Parliament in 1835.</li>
 <li>Macaulay strongly advocated for the introduction of English as the medium of instruction in Indian schools and universities.</li>
 <li>He believed that Western education, particularly in English, would be more beneficial for India's progress than traditional Indian learning (Oriental learning).</li>
 <li>This perspective was controversial and led to the famous Orientalist-Anglicist debate in India.</li>
 <li>Macaulay argued that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia.</li>
 <li>His views heavily influenced the Macaulay's Education Minute of 1835, which was subsequently adopted and shaped the modern education system in India.</li>
 <li>The minute prioritized English education and aimed to create a class of Indians who would be interpreters between the British rulers and the Indian masses.</li>
 <li>Macaulay was not an Orientalist scholar. Orientalism refers to the study of Eastern languages, literatures, and cultures. Macaulay, in contrast, was an proponent of Western (Anglicist) education over Oriental learning.</li>
 <li>His ideas were instrumental in the establishment of universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras in 1857, which followed the British model.</li>
</ul>

He considered Indian and Arab literature inferior to the Western literature.

He believed that India is an uncivilised country which needs to be taught the lessons of civilisation.

He strongly advocated giving English language education to Indians.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">National Digital Communications Policy, 2018</h3>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Key Features and Objectives:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>The policy was approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2018.</li>
 <li>It aims to facilitate India@1 Trillion Digital Economy and achieve the goal of Digital India.</li>
 <li>Broadband is declared as a Basic Right and measures were proposed to enhance access to high-speed internet.</li>
 <li>Key objectives include attracting investment of USD 100 billion in the sector, creating 4 million job opportunities, and increasing the contribution of the manufacturing sector to 6% of the GDP by 2022.</li>
 <li>It also focuses on enabling 5G, IoT, M2M, AI, Cloud, Big Data, and other futuristic technologies.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Background:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>This policy superseded the National Telecom Policy, 1999.</li>
 <li>The policy was formulated by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Impact and Significance:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>The policy is a roadmap to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.</li>
 <li>It seeks to promote the development and deployment of digital communication infrastructure and services across the country.</li>
</ul>

• In the context of light, a "flash" is a sudden, brief burst of light. In the provided sentence, "blinking" is the only word that describes a repetitive flashing or pulsing light.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">International Boxing Association (AIBA) Rules for Elite and Youth Competitions</h3>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>In Elite and Youth Men's and Women's competitions sanctioned by the International Boxing Association (now known as IBA), each round consists of 3 minutes of boxing.</li>
<li>Following each round, there is a mandatory rest period of 1 minute between rounds.</li>
<li>This format is standardized across various levels of amateur boxing to ensure athlete safety and strategic engagement.</li>
<li>The AIBA (IBA) governs amateur boxing worldwide, setting the rules and standards for international competitions, including the Olympics.</li>
<li>The 'Elite' category typically refers to boxers aged 19-40 years, while 'Youth' encompasses athletes aged 17-18 years.</li>
<li>These durations are crucial for exam preparation, as rules and regulations are frequently tested topics in sports-related competitive exams.</li>
</ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Dr. Sobha Naidu: A Paragon of Kuchipudi Dance</h3>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Early Life and Training:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Born in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India.</li>
 <li>Began her rigorous training in Kuchipudi at a very young age.</li>
 <li>Guru Sri P.V. Sathyanarayana Sarma was instrumental in shaping her artistic prowess.</li>
 <li>Later, she had the privilege of learning under the legendary Guru Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam, a towering figure in the Kuchipudi world.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Artistic Contributions:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Renowned for her expressive abhinaya and intricate footwork.</li>
 <li>Successfully presented classical dance dramas like 'Ghata Vriksham' and 'Shri Ardhanareeshwara Stotram' as solo performances, a rare feat.</li>
 <li>Choreographed and performed numerous solo and group pieces that have been lauded nationally and internationally.</li>
 <li>Her interpretations are known for their depth, emotional resonance, and adherence to classical tenets.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Awards and Recognition:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2001 by the Government of India for her significant contributions to the field of dance.</li>
 <li>Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, considered the highest Indian recognition in performing arts.</li>
 <li>Honored with numerous other awards, including the 'Nritya Choodamani' title.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Academic and Teaching Career:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Held the position of Principal at the Kuchipudi Dance Academy in Hyderabad.</li>
 <li>Dedicated her life to teaching and nurturing generations of Kuchipudi dancers.</li>
 <li>Her students have achieved significant acclaim, carrying forward the legacy of Kuchipudi.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Legacy:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Considered one of the foremost exponents of Kuchipudi in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.</li>
 <li>Her performances and teachings have played a pivotal role in popularizing and preserving the traditional form of Kuchipudi dance.</li>
</ul>

• Out of favour	-An idiom meaning to lose someone's support or approval.

• Flagship-The most important or "lead" programme of an organization.

• This is a First Conditional sentence (If + Present Simple, Will + Verb). Since the main clause uses "will be fired," the conditional clause must use the simple present "does not complete" rather than the past tense "did not."

if she do not complete the delegated target

if she had not complete the delegated target

if she does not complete the delegated target

• The phrasal verb "bear out" means to support or confirm something (e.g., "The evidence bears out his story"). The correct phrasal verb here should be "bears up" (to endure/cope with pressure) or simply "bears" (handles).

• The word "Superior" is an absolute comparative that inherently means "better than." It should not be used with "more," and it is followed by the preposition "to" instead of "than."

• Sojourn: A temporary stay.

Xenophobe: Someone afraid of strangers/foreigners.

Embargo: An official ban on trade.

Topiary: The art of clipping shrubs into shapes.

• After the preposition "for," we generally use a gerund ($Verb + ing$). Alternatively, to show purpose, we use the infinitive "to."Correct form: "...to create enough jobs" or "...for creating enough jobs."

• We use the preposition "in" for large geographical areas like cities, countries, or continents. "At" is used for specific points or addresses.

• Correct form: "...living in America."

• A Sycophant is someone who acts submissively or uses flattery to gain advantage (a "yes-man"). 
• A Fawner is a direct synonym for this behavior.

• Definition: Ionization energy is the minimum energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom or ion.

• Trends in the Periodic Table: Ionization energy generally increases across a period (from left to right) and decreases down a group (from top to bottom).

• As per the Census of India 2011, the Christian population constituted 2.3% of the total population of India.

• This translates to approximately 28 million people.

• Christians form the third-largest religious community in India, following Hinduism and Islam.

• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was passed by the Parliament of India in 2005.

• It was notified on September 7, 2005, and came into force on February 2, 2006.

• The primary objective of this act is to guarantee 100 days of wage employment to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

• Nucleus: Often called the 'control center' of the cell, the nucleus contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls the cell's growth and reproduction. It is a membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells.

• Lysosomes: These are membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes. They are responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris. They act as the cell's recycling plants.

• Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) is a method of budgeting where all expenses must be justified for each new period.

• In ZBB, every line item from the previous budget is erased, and it starts from a 'zero base'.

To assess the effectiveness of each programme and activity with the output

Establishing a relationship between inputs and outputs

Examining the objectives for which funds are provided

Re-evaluation of all  the activities every year when budget provisions are made

• The Mo Ghara scheme was launched by the Government of Odisha in May 2023.

• This scheme aims to provide financial assistance for the housing needs of the residents of Odisha.

• The procedure for the impeachment and removal of Supreme Court judges in India is largely based on the system followed in the United States.

• This process involves a special address by each House of Parliament to the President, outlining the grounds for removal, which are typically proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

• Components: Regolith is composed of weathered rock particles, soil, sand, silt, clay, and organic debris.

• Formation Process: It forms through the process of weathering, which breaks down solid bedrock into smaller fragments. This weathering can be physical (e.g., freeze-thaw cycles, abrasion), chemical (e.g., dissolution, oxidation), or biological (e.g., root wedging, organic acids).

• The autobiography 'Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly' is the memoir of the acclaimed Indian actor Anupam Kher.

• This book was released in 2019 and became a bestseller.

• The primary objective of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, passed in December 2022, is to mandate and incentivize the use of non-fossil fuels.

• This amendment aims to reduce India's reliance on fossil fuels and promote cleaner energy sources.

• Mawsynram is a village located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, India.

• It holds the Guinness World Record for being the place with the highest average annual rainfall on Earth.

• The Santoor is a traditional Kashmiri folk instrument, a type of trapezoidal hammered dulcimer.

• It has a long history in the Kashmiri Rishis tradition, often used in Sufi music.

• Senapati: The commander-in-chief of the army received the highest salary among these officers, earning 48,000 Pana per annum. This position was crucial for leading the vast Mauryan forces.

• Adhvakshas: These officials, often translated as superintendents, were responsible for various departments. In the context of the military, they might oversee logistics or specific units and were compensated with 4,000 Pana per annum.

Flair (Correct): This refers to a natural talent, aptitude, or ability to do something well. In the context of the sentence, the teacher is assessing the student's natural talent for writing.

Flyer (Incorrect in context): A "flyer" is a small handbill or circular used for advertising, or a person/thing that flies. It does not fit the context of a writing assessment.

Flare (Option B): This refers to a sudden brief burst of bright flame or light (e.g., a signal flare) or a gradual widening in shape.

Fire (Option C): This refers to combustion or a burning flame.

Friar (Option D): This refers to a member of certain religious orders (a monk-like figure).

In English grammar, prepositions of time follow specific rules depending on the unit of time being mentioned:

ON (Correct): We use "on" for specific dates (e.g., on 16 November 1945) and days of the week (e.g., on Monday). Since the sentence provides the full date, "on" is the only appropriate choice.

IN (Incorrect): We use "in" for larger, non-specific periods such as years (in 1945), months (in November), seasons, or centuries.

AT (Incorrect): We use "at" for precise times (at 10:30 AM, at noon, at sunset).

BY (Incorrect): This is used to indicate a deadline or "not later than" a certain time.

DURING (Incorrect): This is used to describe an action that happens throughout a period of time (e.g., during the war), not for a single pinpointed date.

Restaurant's (Correct): The word is derived from the French restaurer (to restore). It must have an 'a' before the 'n' (restau-ran-t).

Restaurent's (Incorrect): This is a common spelling error where the 'a' is replaced by an 'e'.

Vacant (Word): This means having no fixtures, furniture, or inhabitants; completely unoccupied or empty. (e.g., a vacant lot or a vacant seat).

Empty (Synonym): This is the direct equivalent, meaning containing nothing or not filled.

Full (Antonym): This is the opposite of vacant; containing as much or as many as is possible.

Brutal (Irrelevant): This means savagely violent or harsh.

Popular (Irrelevant): This means liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people.

Generosity (Underlined Word): This means the quality of being kind and generous; the willingness to give money, help, or time freely.

Selfishness (Antonym): This is the direct opposite. It means lacking consideration for others and being chiefly concerned with one's own profit or pleasure.

Perfection (Option A): This refers to the state of being free from flaws or defects.

Cowardice (Option B): This refers to a lack of bravery or courage.

Awkwardness (Option C): This refers to the quality of being clumsy, ungraceful, or causing embarrassment.

Origin: This idiom dates back to a time before electricity, when people had to use oil lamps to see. If someone was "burning the midnight oil," it meant they were using their lamp late at night to keep working or studying.

Meaning: It describes the act of staying up very late to finish a task, study for an exam, or complete a project.

Meaning: The word impertinent means being rude, insolent, or not showing proper respect. In the context of the sentence, the speaker is apologizing because their actions might seem disrespectful or rude, even though they are just doing their duty.

Spelling Rule: A helpful way to remember the spelling is to break it down: im-per-ti-nent.

It ends with -nent (like "permanent" or "continent"), not -nant.

The middle vowel is 'i' (-ti-), not 'ai'.

The Phrasal Usage: In English, the verb "teem" is almost always followed by the preposition "with". The phrase "teeming with" means to be full of or swarming with something (usually living things).

Contextual Meaning: The passage describes how the rain brought the dry earth to life. Therefore, "the earth... was teeming with life" means the ground was suddenly overflowing with insects, plants, and animals.

Why others are incorrect: * Teeming in, Teeming at, or Teeming before are not standard idiomatic expressions in English and do not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence.

Contextual Logic: The passage describes a scene after the rain where various small creatures appear on the muddy ground. Among the options provided (crawling, singing, reading, talking), only "crawling" is a physical action performed by worms and centipedes.

Vocabulary: * Crawling (Correct): To move forward on the hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground. This perfectly describes the movement of worms and centipedes.

Singing/Reading/Talking: These are human attributes (personification) that do not fit the realistic, descriptive tone of this nature passage.

Sentence Flow: "The muddy ground was littered with crawling worms, centipedes and velvety lady-birds."

Tense Consistency: The entire passage is written in the Past Perfect and Simple Past tenses (e.g., "monsoons had burst", "it had rained", "earth had lain").

Grammar Structure: The sentence uses the past participle "begun" (the three forms of the verb are: Begin - Began - Begun).

To form the Past Perfect tense, we use had + past participle. Therefore, "had begun" is grammatically correct.

Why others are incorrect: * Was (A): "Was" is used with the "-ing" form (was beginning) for continuous action, or in passive voice. "Was begun" would imply someone else started the grass, which doesn't fit here.

Will (B): This is future tense, which contradicts the past tense narrative.

Is (D): This is present tense, which also contradicts the past tense narrative.

Contextual Logic: The passage begins by mentioning that the "monsoons had burst" and "it had rained in the night." When a hole or an area is flooded, it is typically due to an accumulation of water. Among the choices, rain is the direct cause of the flooding described in the story.

Vocabulary Check:

Rain (Correct): Falling water from the sky that causes flooding in low-lying areas or holes.

Clouds (Incorrect): While clouds produce rain, they cannot physically "flood" a hole.

Snow (Incorrect): The passage mentions the "withering heat of the summer sun" and "monsoons," which indicates a tropical or warm climate where snow would not be the cause of flooding.

Heat (Incorrect): Heat causes evaporation and drying (parching), which is the opposite of flooding.

Sentence Flow: "The rain had flooded Kala Nag’s hole."

Contextual Logic: The passage is describing the physical dimensions of the snake (Kala Nag). When we describe a snake as being "six feet," we are referring to its measurement from head to tail, which is its length.

Measurement Units: In English, "feet" is a standard unit of linear measurement used to describe how long or tall something is.

Weight (B): Would be measured in pounds or kilograms, not feet.

Looks (C): Is a general appearance and cannot be quantified by "six feet."

Circles (D): This would refer to the snake's coils, but the phrase "six feet in circles" is not a standard way to describe a snake's size in this context.

Sentence Flow: "He was big, almost six feet in length and rounded and fleshy..."

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