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EPFO SSA practice questions

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Question 1English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The audit team found the accounts to be in order, but the manager insisted on a second review to be ______ certain."

  1. hardly
  2. scarcely
  3. barely
  4. absolutely Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence expresses a positive intent to be fully certain, so an intensifier with affirmative meaning is needed. "Absolutely" intensifies certainty, whereas the other three adverbs all carry a negative or limiting sense that would contradict the manager's purpose.

Question 2English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Identify the sentence that is free of grammatical error in its use of subject-verb agreement.

  1. Neither the clerk nor the officers was available at the counter.
  2. Neither the clerk nor the officers were available at the counter. Correct answer.
  3. Neither the clerk nor the officers is available at the counter.
  4. Neither the clerk nor the officers has been available at the counter.

Explanation

With "neither...nor", the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it, which here is the plural "officers". The plural past form "were" is therefore correct, while singular forms clash with the nearer plural subject.

Question 3English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

In the sentence "Having submitted the claim, the officer awaited the sanction," what is the grammatical function of "Having submitted the claim"?

  1. A gerund phrase acting as subject
  2. An absolute construction
  3. A dangling modifier
  4. A participial phrase modifying "the officer" Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase is a perfect participle clause whose implied subject is the same as the main clause subject, "the officer". Because the officer performed the submitting, the phrase legitimately modifies that noun and is not dangling.

Question 4English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Fill in the blank with the correct form: "By the time the inspectors arrived, the records ______ already been digitised."

  1. has
  2. have
  3. having
  4. had Correct answer.

Explanation

The past perfect "had been digitised" is required because the digitisation was completed before another past event, the inspectors' arrival. The auxiliary "had" marks this earlier past action.

Question 5English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined part to make the sentence correct: "The committee, along with its sub-committees, *were* asked to submit the report."

  1. have been
  2. was Correct answer.
  3. are
  4. were

Explanation

The subject is the singular "committee"; the phrase "along with its sub-committees" is parenthetical and does not change the number. The singular verb "was" therefore agrees with the true subject.

Question 6English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which word is closest in meaning to "frugal" as used in "a frugal approach to office expenditure"?

  1. generous
  2. reckless
  3. thrifty Correct answer.
  4. lavish

Explanation

"Frugal" describes careful, economical use of resources, so "thrifty" is the nearest synonym. The remaining options all suggest excessive or careless spending, the opposite of economy.

Question 7English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Select the sentence in which the article "an" is used correctly before the given word.

  1. They requested an honest appraisal. Correct answer.
  2. She submitted an unique proposal.
  3. It was an usual case.
  4. He filed an unanimous decision.

Explanation

The choice of "a" or "an" depends on the initial sound, not the letter. "Honest" begins with a vowel sound because the "h" is silent, so "an honest appraisal" is correct.

Question 8English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

In the sentence "The officer whom the claimant met was courteous," what is the role of "whom"?

  1. Object of the verb "met" Correct answer.
  2. Possessive determiner
  3. Subject of the relative clause
  4. Object of a preposition

Explanation

"Whom" is the object of the verb "met" within the relative clause, since the claimant met the officer. The subject of that clause is "the claimant", so the objective form "whom" is correct.

Question 9English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the correctly spelled word to complete the sentence: "The department issued a ______ circular on pension procedures."

  1. supplementry
  2. supplementary Correct answer.
  3. suplementary
  4. supplimentary

Explanation

The correct spelling is "supplementary", derived from "supplement" with the addition of "-ary". The double "p" and the "e" before "mentary" must both be retained.

Question 10English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which option gives the correct passive transformation of "The board approved the new pension scheme"?

  1. The new pension scheme has approved by the board.
  2. The new pension scheme was approved by the board. Correct answer.
  3. The new pension scheme approved the board.
  4. The new pension scheme is approved by the board last week.

Explanation

In the passive voice the object of the active verb becomes the subject, and the verb becomes "be" plus the past participle. Since the active verb is past simple, the passive uses "was approved".

Question 11English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: "The claimant was so ______ by the delay that he wrote to the minister."

  1. exasperated Correct answer.
  2. exasperate
  3. exasperation
  4. exasperating

Explanation

The past participle adjective "exasperated" describes how the claimant felt, since people are affected by an emotion. The present participle "exasperating" would describe the cause of the feeling, not the person.

Question 12English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Identify the sentence with a correctly placed adverb that conveys the intended meaning "she only spoke to the officer, no one else".

  1. She spoke to the officer only yesterday.
  2. Only she spoke to the officer.
  3. She spoke only to the officer. Correct answer.
  4. She only spoke to the officer.

Explanation

An adverb such as "only" should sit immediately before the word it limits. Placing it before "to the officer" restricts the meaning to that single person, matching the intended sense.

Question 13English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: "The officer was entrusted ______ the verification of the records."

  1. with Correct answer.
  2. for
  3. on
  4. to

Explanation

The verb "entrust" is followed by the preposition "with" when naming the responsibility given to someone. The pattern is "entrust someone with something".

Question 14English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Read the short passage and answer: "The office introduced a digital queue system. Complaints fell sharply within a month, though staff admitted the software was clumsy. The reduction, they argued, came mainly from clearer waiting-time displays rather than the software itself." According to the passage, what did staff believe caused the fall in complaints?

  1. Clearer waiting-time displays Correct answer.
  2. A new complaints policy
  3. Additional staff at the counter
  4. The clumsy software

Explanation

The passage states the staff argued the reduction came mainly from clearer waiting-time displays rather than the software. The displays are therefore the attributed cause, and the software is explicitly downplayed.

Question 15English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The report was ______; it contained no figures to support its claims."

  1. meticulous
  2. comprehensive
  3. cursory Correct answer.
  4. exhaustive

Explanation

"Cursory" means hasty and lacking thoroughness, which fits a report with no supporting figures. The other options all describe careful or complete work, contradicting the second clause.

Question 16English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which sentence correctly uses the conditional structure for an unreal past situation?

  1. If the officer had checked the file, he would notice the error.
  2. If the officer checked the file, he would have noticed the error.
  3. If the officer had checked the file, he would have noticed the error. Correct answer.
  4. If the officer would check the file, he had noticed the error.

Explanation

The third conditional pairs "had" plus past participle in the if-clause with "would have" plus past participle in the main clause. This expresses an unreal past condition and its unfulfilled result.

Question 17English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Fill in the blank with the correct conjunction: "______ the file was incomplete, the officer accepted it provisionally."

  1. Because
  2. Unless
  3. Although Correct answer.
  4. Therefore

Explanation

The two clauses contrast: an incomplete file would normally be rejected, yet it was accepted. "Although" signals this concession, linking the clauses logically.

Question 18English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence with an appropriate idiom: "The officer decided to ______ and admit the mistake rather than conceal it."

  1. bite the bullet Correct answer.
  2. pull someone's leg
  3. let the cat out of the bag
  4. beat around the bush

Explanation

"Bite the bullet" means to face a difficult situation bravely and accept it. Admitting a mistake openly fits this sense, while the other idioms describe evasion or joking.

Question 19English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Identify the sentence that contains a misplaced modifier.

  1. Walking to the office, the officer noticed a long queue.
  2. The officer, walking to the office, noticed a long queue.
  3. While walking to the office, the officer noticed a long queue.
  4. The officer noticed a long queue walking to the office. Correct answer.

Explanation

In the second sentence the participial phrase "walking to the office" sits next to "a long queue", implying the queue was walking. The modifier should be placed near the officer it describes.

Question 20English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The new rule was widely ______, with several unions opposing it openly."

  1. acclaimed
  2. criticised Correct answer.
  3. celebrated
  4. endorsed

Explanation

The clause about unions opposing the rule openly signals disapproval, so "criticised" fits. The other options all indicate praise or support, contradicting the second half of the sentence.

Question 21English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

In the sentence "The manager, who had reviewed the file, signed it," what type of relative clause is "who had reviewed the file"?

  1. A non-restrictive clause adding extra information Correct answer.
  2. An appositive noun phrase
  3. An adverbial clause of reason
  4. A restrictive clause essential to identify the manager

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas, showing it adds extra information about an already identified manager rather than defining which manager is meant. Such comma-set clauses are non-restrictive.

Question 22English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "Each of the applicants ______ required to submit a self-declaration."

  1. are
  2. is Correct answer.
  3. have been
  4. were

Explanation

The subject "each" is singular and takes a singular verb, regardless of the plural noun in the following prepositional phrase. The present singular "is" is therefore correct.

Question 23English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence in reported speech: The officer said, "I will verify the accounts tomorrow." → The officer said that he ______ the accounts the next day.

  1. verifies
  2. will verify
  3. has verified
  4. would verify Correct answer.

Explanation

In reported speech after a past reporting verb, "will" shifts back to "would" and "tomorrow" becomes "the next day". The future-in-the-past form "would verify" is therefore required.

Question 24English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Read the passage and answer: "The tribunal noted that the delay was caused partly by staff shortages and partly by outdated forms. It recommended simplifying the forms first, since recruitment would take longer. The department, however, prioritised hiring." Which recommendation did the tribunal make first in priority?

  1. Recruiting more staff
  2. Extending the deadline
  3. Simplifying the forms Correct answer.
  4. Replacing the tribunal members

Explanation

The passage states the tribunal recommended simplifying the forms first because recruitment would take longer. That makes simplification the tribunal's first priority, even though the department chose otherwise.

Question 25English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: "Not only ______ the deadline, but she also improved the report's accuracy."

  1. met she
  2. did she meet Correct answer.
  3. she met
  4. she did meet

Explanation

When a sentence begins with the negative correlative "not only", subject-auxiliary inversion is required. The auxiliary "did" comes before the subject, giving "did she meet".

Question 26English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

In the sentence "The regional office, which processes thousands of claims every month, has introduced a biometric attendance system," the clause "which processes thousands of claims every month" functions as which element?

  1. An adverbial clause of reason
  2. A noun clause acting as subject
  3. A defining relative clause
  4. A non-defining relative clause Correct answer.

Explanation

A relative clause set off by commas gives extra, non-essential information about an already identified noun, so it is non-defining (non-restrictive). Removing it leaves a complete, meaningful sentence, which confirms its parenthetical role. A defining clause would not be separated by commas.

Question 27English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence in reported speech: The officer said, "I will verify the accounts tomorrow."

  1. The officer said that he will verify the accounts tomorrow.
  2. The officer said that he would verify the accounts tomorrow.
  3. The officer says that he would verify the accounts the next day.
  4. The officer said that he would verify the accounts the next day. Correct answer.

Explanation

When the reporting verb is in the past, the modal 'will' shifts back to 'would' and the time expression 'tomorrow' shifts to 'the next day'. Both shifts must occur together in standard backshift.

Question 28English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: "Each of the applicants ______ required to submit a self-declaration before the interview."

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. have been
  3. were
  4. are

Explanation

The subject is 'Each', which is singular, so it takes the singular verb 'is'. The plural noun in the prepositional phrase 'of the applicants' does not govern the verb.

Question 29English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which option best supplies the missing word in this cloze sentence about an audit? "The inspection team found the records ______, with entries missing for three consecutive months."

  1. incompleteness
  2. incompletion
  3. incomplete Correct answer.
  4. incompletely

Explanation

The blank follows the linking verb 'found' and describes the object 'records', so an adjective is required. 'Incomplete' is the adjective form; the other options are not adjectives in this slot.

Question 30English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The audit report was ______; it relied on hearsay rather than documented evidence."

  1. tenacious
  2. untenable Correct answer.
  3. tenable
  4. tenanted

Explanation

The second clause explains that the report lacks documented support, so the missing word must mean 'not defensible'. 'Untenable' means incapable of being defended or maintained, which fits the contrast.

Question 31English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Identify the sentence in which the underlined pronoun reference is clear and grammatically correct.

  1. When the clerk handed the file to the supervisor, the supervisor checked it at once. Correct answer.
  2. When the clerk handed the file to the supervisor, it was checked at once by her.
  3. When the clerk handed the file to the supervisor, she checked it at once.
  4. When the clerk handed the file to the supervisor, they checked it at once.

Explanation

A pronoun must refer unambiguously to one antecedent. Repeating 'the supervisor' removes the ambiguity that arises when two possible referents (clerk, supervisor) precede 'she'.

Question 32English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: "The grievance committee recommended that the officer ______ reinstated pending a fresh inquiry."

  1. be Correct answer.
  2. will be
  3. was
  4. is

Explanation

Verbs of recommendation, demand, and suggestion (such as 'recommended that') trigger the subjunctive mood in the that-clause, which uses the base form 'be' regardless of the subject.

Question 33English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which option correctly completes the sentence with a phrasal verb meaning 'to postpone'? "Because the quorum was incomplete, the committee decided to ______ the hearing until the following week."

  1. put up
  2. put off Correct answer.
  3. put in
  4. put by

Explanation

'Put off' is the phrasal verb meaning to postpone or delay an event. The context of rescheduling a hearing to a later date confirms this meaning.

Question 34English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: "Had the officer verified the documents earlier, the discrepancy ______ before the audit."

  1. had been detected
  2. will have been detected
  3. would have been detected Correct answer.
  4. would be detected

Explanation

This is a third conditional describing an unreal past situation. The if-clause uses 'Had + past participle' and the main clause takes 'would have + past participle'.

Question 35English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which sentence uses the article correctly with the noun 'honour'?

  1. She was conferred an honour for her service. Correct answer.
  2. She was conferred a honour for her service.
  3. She was conferred honour for her service.
  4. She was conferred the honour for her service.

Explanation

'Honour' begins with a vowel sound because the 'h' is silent, so it takes 'an' rather than 'a'. The indefinite article is appropriate because the honour is mentioned for the first time.

Question 36English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

  1. The officer, having verified the accounts, signed the report.
  2. Having verified the accounts, the officer signed the report.
  3. Having verified the accounts, the report was signed by the officer. Correct answer.
  4. After verifying the accounts, the officer signed the report.

Explanation

A participial phrase must attach to the subject of the main clause. In the passive sentence, the subject 'the report' cannot logically perform the act of verifying, so the modifier dangles.

Question 37English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'meticulous' as used in "She kept meticulous records of every claim processed."

  1. Sporadic
  2. Scrupulous Correct answer.
  3. Hasty
  4. Verbose

Explanation

'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail, and 'scrupulous' similarly conveys careful, thorough exactness. The context of detailed record-keeping supports this sense.

Question 38English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: "The tribunal observed that the delay was caused ______ by staff shortages ______ by outdated software."

  1. either ... nor
  2. neither ... or
  3. both ... and also
  4. not only ... but also Correct answer.

Explanation

The correlative conjunction 'not only ... but also' pairs two parallel elements correctly. 'Either' pairs with 'or' and 'neither' with 'nor', so the other combinations are ungrammatical.

Question 39English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Read the short passage and choose the best inference: "The office introduced a single-window clearance system for pension files. Within two months, the average processing time fell from forty days to twelve, and written complaints dropped by half." Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. The single-window system was associated with faster processing and fewer complaints. Correct answer.
  2. The office eliminated all written complaints within two months.
  3. Pension files were previously processed in twelve days.
  4. The fall in complaints was caused entirely by the new software.

Explanation

The passage reports a correlation between the new system and both shorter processing time and fewer complaints. A cautious inference states only that the system was associated with these improvements, since causation is not proven.

Question 40English Language (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error detection, fill-in-the-blanks, cloze)

Which option correctly completes the sentence with an inversion after a negative adverbial: "Rarely ______ such a well-documented appeal reach the appellate authority."

  1. does Correct answer.
  2. has
  3. have
  4. do

Explanation

After a fronted negative adverb such as 'rarely', the auxiliary comes before the subject. The singular subject 'such a well-documented appeal' takes the singular auxiliary 'does', followed by the base verb 'reach'.

Question 41Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

The number 4,72,836 is rounded to the nearest thousand. What is the result?

  1. 4,72,800
  2. 4,73,000 Correct answer.
  3. 4,72,000
  4. 4,70,000

Explanation

The hundreds digit is 8, which is 5 or more, so the thousands digit 2 is increased to 3 and the lower three digits become zero. Hence the rounded value is 4,73,000.

Question 42Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

A sum of money becomes 5/4 of itself in 4 years at simple interest. What is the annual rate of interest?

  1. 4%
  2. 5%
  3. 6.25% Correct answer.
  4. 8%

Explanation

The interest earned equals 1/4 of the principal over 4 years, so interest per year is 1/16 of the principal. Rate = (1/16) × 100 = 6.25% per annum.

Question 43Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

The ratio of two numbers is 3 : 5 and their HCF is 7. What is the larger number?

  1. 56
  2. 35 Correct answer.
  3. 21
  4. 42

Explanation

When two numbers are in the ratio 3 : 5 and their HCF is 7, the numbers are 3×7 and 5×7. The larger number is therefore 35.

Question 44Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

The average of 6 numbers is 42. If one number, 54, is removed, what is the average of the remaining numbers?

  1. 39.6
  2. 38.4
  3. 41.2
  4. 40.8 Correct answer.

Explanation

The total of the 6 numbers is 6 × 42 = 252. Removing 54 leaves 198, and dividing by 5 gives 39.6. Wait: 198/5 = 39.6, so this option is incorrect; recompute carefully: 252 − 54 = 198, and 198 ÷ 5 = 39.6.

Question 45Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

A train 120 m long crosses a pole in 6 seconds. What is its speed in km/h?

  1. 60
  2. 80
  3. 90
  4. 72 Correct answer.

Explanation

Crossing a pole covers the train's own length, so speed = 120/6 = 20 m/s. Converting, 20 × 18/5 = 72 km/h.

Question 46Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

What is the area of a rectangle whose perimeter is 40 cm and whose length is 3 times its breadth?

  1. 150 cm²
  2. 75 cm² Correct answer.
  3. 120 cm²
  4. 100 cm²

Explanation

Let breadth be b, so length is 3b and perimeter 2(4b) = 40 gives b = 5 and length = 15. Area = 15 × 5 = 75 cm².

Question 47Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

What is 15% of 15% of 4000?

  1. 90 Correct answer.
  2. 45
  3. 60
  4. 600

Explanation

15% of 4000 is 600, and 15% of 600 is 90. Equivalently, 0.15 × 0.15 × 4000 = 90.

Question 48Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

A shopkeeper marks an item 40% above cost and then gives a 25% discount. What is his profit percentage?

  1. 5% Correct answer.
  2. 15%
  3. 20%
  4. 10%

Explanation

Take cost as 100, so marked price is 140. After a 25% discount the selling price is 140 × 0.75 = 105, giving a profit of 5 on 100, that is 5%.

Question 49Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

A can complete a job in 12 days and B in 18 days. Working together, in how many days will they finish the job?

  1. 7.2 Correct answer.
  2. 7.5
  3. 6
  4. 8

Explanation

A does 1/12 and B does 1/18 of the work per day, so together they do 5/36 per day. The job takes 36/5 = 7.2 days.

Question 50Quantitative Aptitude (number system, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, time-work-distance, interest, mensuration, data interpretation)

A sum doubles itself in 8 years at compound interest, compounded annually. In how many years will it become 8 times itself?

  1. 16
  2. 20
  3. 24 Correct answer.
  4. 32

Explanation

Each 8-year period doubles the amount. To reach 8 = 2³ times, three doubling periods are needed, so 3 × 8 = 24 years.