1 questions from actual NDA papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Every blank has a specific role in the sentence. Your job is to identify what type of word is needed - noun, verb, adjective, preposition, or conjunction. The correct answer maintains grammatical correctness and logical meaning
First, read the entire sentence carefully. Identify the subject and predicate. Look for clues before and after the blank. Check for parallel structure, tense consistency, and logical flow.
Words around the blank often give hints about what's missing.
SSC CGL typically asks 2-3 fill in the blank questions. Common patterns include: Phrasal verbs with prepositions, Idioms and expressions, Vocabulary in context, Grammar-based blanks (articles, prepositions, conjunctions), and Synonym/antonym relationships.
#1 - The Grammar First Method: Always check grammar before meaning. If an option doesn't fit grammatically, eliminate it immediately. This reduces your choices from 4 to 2-3 options quickly. Shortcut Trick #2 - The Opposite Context Trick: Look for contrasting words like 'but', 'however', 'although'.
If present, the blank often needs a word opposite to the surrounding context.
Identify context - weather was pleasant, so they changed their indoor plans
Look for logical connection - pleasant weather made them change indoor plans to outdoor activity
Check meaning - 'abandon' means to give up, which fits perfectly
Verify grammar - 'abandon' is grammatically correct here Answer: (b) abandon Worked Example 2: 'Despite his _____ efforts, he could not solve the complex problem.' Options: (a) casual (b) half-hearted (c) strenuous (d) minimal
Notice 'Despite' - this signals contrast
The result was failure ('could not solve')
With 'despite', we need a positive effort word that contrasts with failure
'Strenuous' means great effort, creating perfect contrast with failure Answer: (c) strenuous Shortcut Trick #3 - The Collocation Method: Some words naturally go together. Learn common word partnerships like 'make efforts', 'take steps', 'heavy rain', 'strong coffee'. If you see one part, the partner word is likely the answer. Most Common Trap: Students often choose words that sound good but don't fit the sentence context. They pick familiar words without checking if the meaning makes sense in the specific sentence. Always read the complete sentence with your chosen answer to verify it sounds natural and logical. Time-Saving Strategy: Read the sentence first without looking at options. Try to predict what word might fit. Then check if your predicted word or its synonym appears in the options. This prevents confusion from attractive wrong answers. Another frequent mistake is ignoring prepositions and articles. Small words matter greatly in fill in the blanks. Pay attention to 'a', 'an', 'the', 'in', 'on', 'at' requirements around the blank.