SSC CGL Vocabulary Questions & Solutions

A sample of real SSC CGL Vocabulary past-year questions, each with a worked solution and the correct answer highlighted. AthenaPrep has 1600 Vocabulary questions in all — sign up free to practise them timed.

1. Q1.SSC 2021

   Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
   OBLIVIOUS

   • sensitive

   • obvious

   • ignorant

   • attentive

   Show solution

   To find the synonym for 'OBLIVIOUS', we look for a word that means unaware or unmindful. The option 'C. ignorant' fits this definition, as it implies a lack of knowledge or awareness. The other options do not convey this meaning.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

2. Q2.SSC 2021

   Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
   COMPLEX

   • knotty

   • motley

   • simple

   • mixed

   Show solution

   'Complex' refers to something that is complicated or intricate. The antonym would be a word that describes simplicity. 'Simple' (C) is the correct choice as it directly means easy to understand or do. 'Knotty' (A) and 'motley' (B) imply complexity, while 'mixed' (D) does not convey simplicity.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

3. Q3.SSC 2020

   Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word.
   Hostile

   • Amiable

   • Violent

   • Unfavourable

   • Adverse

   Show solution

   'Hostile' refers to being unfriendly or antagonistic. The antonym is 'Amiable', which means friendly and pleasant. Options B, C, and D suggest negative connotations similar to 'Hostile'.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

4. Q4.SSC 2019

   Select the antonym of the given word.
   AMIABLE

   • comfortable

   • friendly

   • hostile

   • cordial

   Show solution

   'AMIABLE' means friendly and pleasant. The antonym is C. hostile, which indicates unfriendliness. Other options do not serve as true opposites.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

5. Q5.SSC 2019

   Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
   GULLIBLE

   • Credulous

   • Knowledgeable

   • Innocent

   • Perceptive

   Show solution

   The word GULLIBLE describes someone who is easily deceived. The synonym is Credulous (Option A), which means having a tendency to believe too readily.
   Other options:
   B. Knowledgeable - opposite meaning.
   C. Innocent - not synonymous.
   D. Perceptive - implies insight, not gullibility.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

6. Q6.SSC 2019

   Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word.
   ASCENT

   • distant

   • depression

   • descent

   • decent

   Show solution

   'ASCENT' refers to the act of rising or climbing. The antonym would be a term that indicates going down.
   Option C, 'descent', is correct as it means the act of descending. Options A (distant), B (depression), and D (decent) do not convey the opposite meaning.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

7. Q7.SSC 2019

   Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
   ADVANTAGEOUS

   • Unlucky

   • Adverse

   • Favourable

   • Crucial

   Show solution

   'Advantageous' means beneficial or favorable.
   Correct Option: C. Favourable - it is a synonym that conveys a similar meaning.
   Other Options: A. Unlucky, B. Adverse, and D. Crucial do not align with the meaning of advantageous.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

8. Passage

   In the following question, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.

   Q8.SSC 2019

   Elegance

   • vehemence

   • fragrance

   • graceless

   • ostentatious

   Show solution

   — worked solution by Athena AI

9. Passage

   In the following question, out of the given four alternatives, select the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word.

   Q9.SSC 2018

   Mandatory

   • Optional

   • Voluntary

   • Essential

   • Unnecessary

   Show solution

   'Mandatory' means required or obligatory. The best synonym is 'Essential' (C), which conveys the necessity of something. The other options, 'Optional' (A), 'Voluntary' (B), and 'Unnecessary' (D), imply a lack of requirement, which is the opposite of 'Mandatory'.

   — worked solution by Athena AI

10. Q10.SSC 2017

    In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word similar in meaning to the word given.

    Nefarious

    • Iniquitous

    • Purposeful

    • Suspicious

    • Virtuous

    Show solution

    'Nefarious' means wicked or criminal. The correct option is 'Iniquitous' (A), which also means morally wrong or wicked. The other options do not convey the same meaning.

    — worked solution by Athena AI

11. Q11.SSC 2016

    In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word and click the button corresponding to it.
    TREACHERY

    • BETRAYAL

    • MULING

    • LOYALTY

    • REBELLION

    Show solution

    'Treachery' refers to betrayal or deceit. The opposite of this is 'loyalty', which signifies faithfulness. Hence, the correct answer is C. LOYALTY.

    — worked solution by Athena AI

12. Passage

    In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentences.

    Q12.SSC 2014

    A word or practice that has gone out of use

    • obsolete

    • absolute

    • outdated

    • old-fashioned

    Show solution

    A word or practice that has gone out of use is described as 'obsolete', making option A the correct choice. Options B (absolute), C (outdated), and D (old-fashioned) do not capture the exact meaning.

    — worked solution by Athena AI

SSC CGL Vocabulary previous year questions with solutions — AthenaPrep