Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Exam
Question : Directions: In the following question a series is given, find the missing number from the given alternatives. 0, 4, 18, 48, ?, 180
Option 1: 58
Option 2: 68
Option 3: 84
Option 4: 100
Correct Answer: 100
Solution : Given: 0, 4, 18, 48, ?, 180
Follow the pattern to obtain the next term in the series –
So, 100 is the missing number in the series. Hence, the fourth option is correct.
Question : If $x+\frac{1}{x}=2$, then $x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=?$
Option 1: 1
Option 2: 8
Option 3: 2
Option 4: 0
Correct Answer: 2
Solution : $x+\frac{1}{x}=2$ Cubing both sides, we get, $(x+\frac{1}{x})^3=2^3$ ⇒ $x^3 + \frac{1}{x^3}+3\times x\times\frac{1}{x}(x+\frac{1}{x})=8$ ⇒ $x^3 + \frac{1}{x^3} + 3(x+\frac1x)=8$ ⇒ $x^3 + \frac{1}{x^3} +3\times 2=8$ ⇒ $x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=8-6$ $\therefore x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=2$ Hence, the correct answer is 2.
Question : Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.
I said to you, "He cannot be trusted completely."
Option 1: I told you that he could not be trusted completely.
Option 2: You told me that he could not be trusted completely.
Option 3: I said you that he cannot be trusted completely.
Option 4: You told me that he cannot be trusted completely.
Correct Answer: I told you that he could not be trusted completely.
Solution : The correct choice is the first option.
The given sentence is in the direct speech. As per the indirect speech, the words of the speaker are reported.
Narration Conversion:
Therefore, the sentence in indirect speech is: I told you that he could not be trusted completely.
Question : Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
In the stress-ridden world, traditional pastimes that could prove therapeutic are dying for want of patronage. One such is the art of puppetry. The word “puppet” is derived from the Latin word pupa, meaning “doll” or “girl”. Puppets came into being in India in the third century A.D. Here it was honed into a theatrical art. It helped to propagate the works of saints and religious leaders, and also depict stories from epics. Later, it spread to South East Asia. The Cambodian puppeteers inspired the Thais. Java and Bali followed though it didn’t catch on in Sumatra. The Malays followed the Siamese and Japanese styles in the nineteenth century. Gradually, puppets became more sophisticated in appearance, as skilled craftsmen began to make the models. Puppeteers became trained as performers. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, puppet theatres became extremely popular in artistic circles. Writers like George Sands and Goethe organised their own well-prepared puppet shows to entertain their friends. Puppet shows have been mentioned in the literature by Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, and many others.
Basically, there are three kinds of puppets. Shadow puppets are made of translucent leather and coloured vegetable dyes. Buffalo, goat, or sheep skin is treated to become translucent. Limbs are loosely jointed so that they can be made to move separately. A stick is attached vertically in the middle. The movement of the stick causes general movements. But for special movements, single strings attached to the limbs are used. These leather puppets are projected on a screen, which is illuminated by a light source placed behind the puppets. The puppeteer manipulates the puppets to form moving shadows on the screen. He also speaks the parts, sings, or is accompanied by music. String puppets involve puppets that are manipulated by six strings. The performance is on a stage but the puppeteers are never seen. They wear anklets which produce the illusion that the puppets themselves are dancing. The main storyteller recites the storyline, while the puppets perform, and the dialogue and music are provided by the puppeteers. Rod or stick puppets are constructed around the main central rod. A short horizontal bar serves as the shoulders, from which the upper limbs dangle. The arms, made of cloth and stuffed with straw or paper, are jointed or manipulated with other thinner rods. These puppets can be the size of a human being. The puppeteer hides behind the puppet and manipulates it. The coordination of the limbs comes only through practice.
Puppetry is a good communication medium. Messages can be propagated in a realistic way. Puppet making and performing is good occupational therapy for convalescents and physically disabled people. Muscular coordination and manual dexterity improve with effort. However, the best use of this art is that it can provide delightful hours of fun to young and old alike.
Question:
The upper limbs of stick puppets are made of:
Option 1: straw
Option 2: leather
Option 3: paper
Option 4: cloth
Correct Answer: cloth
Solution : The correct choice is the fourth option.
According to the last line of the second paragraph, the upper limbs of stick puppets are typically made of cloth and stuffed with straw or paper. In stick puppets, the description mentions the arms being made of cloth and stuffed with either straw or paper. This construction allows for manipulation by the puppeteer and the flexibility required for the puppet's movements.
Question : Directions: Select the word pair that best represents a similar relationship to the one expressed in the given pair of words. (The words must be considered meaningful English words and must not be related to each other based on the number of letters/number of consonants/vowels in the word.) Rice : Carbohydrates
Option 1: Eggplant : Vegetable
Option 2: Flesh : Chicken
Option 3: Cottage cheese : Protein
Option 4: Orange : Fruit
Correct Answer: Cottage cheese : Protein
Solution : Given: Rice : Carbohydrates (This depicts the relation between food and its nutrients.)
Let's check each option – First option: Eggplant : Vegetable; Eggplant is a type of vegetable. Second option: Flesh : Chicken; Chicken is a type of flesh. Third option: Cottage cheese : Protein; Cottage cheese is a source of protein. Fourth option: Orange : Fruit; Orange is a type of fruit or colour.
So, only the third option follows the same pattern as followed by the given pair. Hence, the third option is correct.
Question : Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice.
Who stole my tickets?
Option 1: My tickets was stolen by whom?
Option 2: My tickets got stolen by who?
Option 3: By whom were my tickets stolen?
Option 4: My tickets were stolen by who?
Correct Answer: By whom were my tickets stolen?
Solution : The correct choice is the third option.
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 passive voice in the case of the simple past interrogative sentence is: "By + interrogative word 'whom' + were + plural object + past participle form of the verb?"
Therefore, the passive sentence would be: "By whom were my tickets stolen?"
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".
(Any of) these two options could be the correct answer.
(1) Either one of
(2) Any two of
(3) Either of
(4) No Improvement
Option 1: (1)
Option 2: (2)
Option 3: (3)
Option 4: (4)
Correct Answer: (3)
Explanation:
"Either of" is the most appropriate choice, conveying the idea that one of the two options could be correct.
So, the correct sentence would be: "Either of these two options could be the correct answer."
Question : Directions: A sentence or a part of the sentence is printed in bold. Below are alternatives to the bold part that may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, choose "No Improvement".
According to an official spokesperson, polling was held amid tight security arrangements in 29 municipal councils and panchayats over the State.
Option 2: 2
Option 3: 3
Option 4: 4
Correct Answer: 3
The preposition over should be replaced with across as across the state means from one end to the other end of the state. Across is often associated with a more direct or horizontal movement, while over can be used for both horizontal and vertical movements.
So, the correct sentence is: According to an official spokesperson, polling was held amid tight security arrangements in 29 municipal councils and panchayats across the state.
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
The child is the father of the man. Childhood is a (1)______ of what one is going to be when one (2)______ maturity. The natural instincts of a man are (3)______ in his childhood. Time modifies them but cannot (4)______ them. History contains numerous examples of great men who gave (5)______ of their future when they were children. A child’s mind is (6)______ and flexible. The mould he receives before his clay (7)______ becomes his permanent mark. The values and standards of (8)______ which will determine his life as a man (9)______ in childhood itself. There may be certain (10)______ of course. A bright morning may end in a storm!
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank no. 9.
Option 1: are developed
Option 2: is developing
Option 3: develops
Option 4: has developed
Correct Answer: are developed
In the given sentence, since we are talking about childhood, we need to use the verb in the past participle form with an auxiliary verb. Therefore, are developed is the correct choice.
Question : $\frac{1}{1+\cos(90^{\circ}- \theta)}$ + $\frac{1}{1-\cos(90^{\circ}- \theta)}$ =?
Option 1: $2\sec^2 \theta$
Option 2: $1$
Option 3: $2$
Option 4: $2 \tan^2 \theta$
Correct Answer: $2\sec^2 \theta$
Solution : $\frac{1}{1+\cos(90^{\circ}- \theta)}$ + $\frac{1}{1-\cos(90^{\circ}- \theta)}$ = $\frac{1}{1+\sin \theta}$ + $\frac{1}{1-\sin \theta}$ = $\frac{(1-\sin \theta)+(1+\sin \theta)}{(1-\sin \theta)(1+\sin \theta)}$ = $\frac{2}{1-\sin ^2 \theta}$ = $\frac{2}{\cos ^2 \theta}$ = $2\sec^2 \theta$ Hence, the correct answer is $2\sec^2 \theta$.
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