A strong vocabulary is essential for excelling in the SSC CGL exam, particularly in the English Language section. Among the various topics, one-word substitutions are frequently tested, assessing a candidate’s ability to replace a phrase or sentence with a single, precise word. Mastering these can significantly enhance your performance and comprehension skills.
Below is a curated list of essential one-word substitutions categorized for better retention.
1. People and Professions
- Altruist: A person who is concerned with the welfare of others.
- Example: Despite his wealth, he lived modestly and was known as an altruist.
- Bibliophile: A person who loves or collects books.
- Example: Her extensive library revealed her as a true bibliophile.
- Connoisseur: An expert judge in matters of taste (especially in the fine arts or in matters of taste).
- Example: As a connoisseur of art, he could easily identify the painter of any masterpiece.
- Misanthrope: A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.
- Example: After years of disappointment, he became a misanthrope, preferring solitude over company.
- Numismatist: One who collects coins as a hobby
- Example: The numismatist spent weekends searching for rare coins to add to his collection.
2. Government and Systems
- Aristocracy: A form of government in which power is held by the nobility
- Example: The country was once ruled by an aristocracy that controlled all major decisions.
- Plutocracy: Government by the wealthy.
- Example: Critics argue that the nation’s policies favor the rich, indicating a shift towards plutocracy.
- Theocracy: A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
- Example: In a theocracy, religious leaders hold the highest authority in governance.
- Anarchy: Absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual.
- Example: The collapse of the regime led to a period of anarchy and lawlessness.
3. Phobias and Manias
- Claustrophobia: Fear of confined spaces.
- Example: Elevators can be challenging for those suffering from claustrophobia.
- Xenophobia: Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
- Example: The politician’s xenophobia was evident in his anti-immigration speeches.
- Kleptomania: A recurrent urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit.
- Example: Despite her wealth, she couldn’t resist shoplifting due to kleptomania.
- Pyromania: An obsessive desire to set fire to things.
- Example: The investigator suspected pyromania as the cause of the series of arsons.
4. Studies and Sciences
- Anthropology: The study of the evolution of mankind.
- Example: Her degree in anthropology led her to study ancient human civilizations.
- Ornithology: The study of birds.
- Example: His passion for ornithology took him on bird-watching expeditions worldwide.
- Numismatics: The study or collection of coins, tokens, and paper money.
- Example: Numismatics can reveal much about a country’s history through its currency.
- Psephology: The study of election trend.
- Example: Psephology involves analyzing voting patterns to predict election outcomes.
5. Miscellaneous
- Epitome: A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.
- Example: She is the epitome of kindness, always helping those in need.
- Panacea: A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
- Example: Some believe that education is the panacea for societal issues.
- Utopia: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect
6. Words Related to Speech and Writing
- Euphemism – A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh.
- Example: “Passed away” is a euphemism for “died.”
- Neologism – A newly coined word or expression.
- Example: “Selfie” is a neologism that became popular with smartphones.
- Malapropism – The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one.
- Example: He said “pacifically” instead of “specifically.”
- Tautology – Unnecessary repetition of the same idea in different words.
- Example: “Free gift” is a tautology because a gift is already free.
- Spoonerism – The transposition of initial letters in a phrase creating an amusing effect.
- Example: “You have hissed the mystery lectures” instead of “You have missed the history lectures.”
7. Words Related to Death and Afterlife
- Epitaph – An inscription on a tombstone.
- Example: His epitaph read, “A life well lived.”
- Posthumous – Occurring after death.
- Example: The author received a posthumous award.
- Obituary – A notice of someone’s death in a newspaper.
- Example: The obituary highlighted his contributions to literature.
- Requiem – A musical composition or religious service for the dead.
- Example: A requiem was held in memory of the victims.
- Sepulcher – A tomb or burial place.
- Example: The ancient sepulcher contained treasures from the past.
8. Words Related to Groups and Gatherings
- Congregation – A gathering of people, usually for religious worship.
- Example: The church congregation gathered for Sunday prayers.
- Horde – A large group of people, often disorderly.
- Example: A horde of shoppers rushed for the Black Friday sales.
- Retinue – A group of attendants accompanying a high-ranking person.
- Example: The king’s retinue followed him everywhere.
- Coterie – A small, exclusive group of people with shared interests.
- Example: A coterie of writers met at the café every weekend.
- Clique – A small, close-knit, and exclusive group of people.
- Example: The high school clique did not allow new members.
9. Words for Unusual Behaviors and Conditions
- Somnambulist – A person who walks in their sleep.
- Example: The doctor diagnosed him as a somnambulist after he was found outside at night.
- Philanderer – A man who frequently engages in casual love affairs.
- Example: He was known as a philanderer who never committed to one relationship.
- Eccentric – A person with unconventional or slightly strange behavior.
- Example: The artist was an eccentric who wore mismatched shoes.
- Ascetic – A person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from pleasure.
- Example: The monk lived an ascetic life in the mountains.
- Glutton – A person who eats excessively.
- Example: He was a glutton who finished three pizzas by himself.
10. Miscellaneous One-Word Substitutions
- Agnostic – A person who believes nothing can be known about God.
- Example: He was an agnostic who neither denied nor affirmed religious beliefs.
- Atheist – A person who does not believe in God.
- Example: He declared himself an atheist after questioning his faith.
- Omnipresent – Present everywhere at the same time.
- Example: In the digital age, the internet is omnipresent.
- Omniscient – Knowing everything.
- Example: The novel’s narrator had an omniscient perspective.
- Infallible – Incapable of making mistakes.
- Example: No one is infallible, and everyone makes mistakes.
Final Thoughts!
Memorizing one-word substitutions will help you score higher in the SSC CGL English section. The best way to retain them is by practicing daily quizzes and mock tests.
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