One Word Substitution Questions for SSC CGL, Attempt Now

One Word Substitution Questions for SSC CGL: One Word Substitution is an important topic in the English section of competitive exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and others. It’s high scoring and easy to master with regular practice. Here, we’ve included important one word substitution questions to help aspirants strengthen their vocabulary and improve their performance in the exam.

What Is One Word Substitution in SSC CGL Exams?

One Word Substitution is a common vocabulary-based question format where a full phrase is replaced with a single word. It appears frequently in SSC CGL, CHSL, and other Tier 1 & Tier 2 exams. These questions test your ability to understand meaning, synonyms, and precise vocabulary.

How Many Substitutions Should You Practice Daily?

Aim to solve 10–15 one‑word substitutions every day for optimal retention without burnout.

• Allocate 15–20 minutes each session
• Review yesterday’s words before adding new ones
• Use short, timed quizzes to build speed

Which One‑Word Substitutions Are Most Repeated in SSC CGL?

Words like “fratricide,” “omnivorous,” and “amnesty” recur frequently in past SSC CGL papers.

• Fratricide – repeated in 2019 & 2022 exams
• Omnivore/Omnivorous – seen in 2020 & 2023
• Amnesty – appeared in 2021 & 2024

One Word Substitution: Important Categories & Examples

Here’s a categorized list of the most expected one-word substitutions based on SSC trends and previous year papers.

1. People, Professions & Personality Types

This category includes common one-word substitutions used to describe people, professions, or individual traits often asked in SSC exams.

Definition	One Word
One who speaks many languages	Polyglot
A person who collects books	Bibliophile
A person who speaks during conversations	Interlocutor
One who pretends to be what he is not	Hypocrite
One who hates mankind	Misanthrope
One who attacks traditional beliefs	Iconoclast
A person indifferent to pleasure/pain	Stoic
One who talks while asleep	Somnambulist
One who is recovering from illness	Convalescent
One who is hard to please	Fastidious
One who lives in solitude	Recluse
A person excessively worried about health	Hypochondriac
One who is always a center of attraction	Cynosure
A critical judge of art/literature	Connoisseur
A person who doesn’t believe in God	Atheist
A person with strong patriotism (excessive)	Chauvinist
A wise person with reasoning ability	Intellectual

2. Fear and Phobia Related Words

Phobia-related one-word substitutions are regularly featured in SSC exams and cover irrational fears of places, situations, or objects.

Definition	One Word
Fear of confined spaces	Claustrophobia
Fear of heights	Acrophobia
Fear of public places	Agoraphobia
Fear of blood/disease	Haematophobia
Fear of dogs	Cynophobia

3. Types of Government or Rule

These terms describe different forms of government and political control and are commonly seen in static GK and English sections.

Definition	One Word
Government by the wealthy	Plutocracy
Government by a single person	Autocracy
Government by nobles	Aristocracy
Government with strong bureaucracy	Bureaucracy
Rule by no authority, disorder	Anarchy

4. Places or Locations

These are nouns that denote specific places where activities occur or particular purposes are served. Many have been asked in SSC PYQs.

Definition	One Word
Place where birds are kept	Aviary
Place where bees are kept	Apiary
Place for slaughtering animals	Abattoir
Room for keeping dead bodies	Mortuary
A place of conflict or public discussion	Arena
A place storing public documents	Archives

SSC CGL One Word Substitution Questions

These questions are useful for SSC CGL and other exams. Practice them to improve your English and do well in the vocabulary part.

Q1) A person who studies human societies and cultures:
a) Philologist
b) Anthropologist
c) Zoologist
d) Botanist
Answer: b) Anthropologist

Q2) A place where birds are kept:
a) Aviary
b) Aquarium
c) Apiary
d) Stable
Answer: a) Aviary

Q3) A person who never tells the truth:
a) Optimist
b) Pessimist
c) Liar
d) Hypocrite
Answer: c) Liar

Q4) A person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain:
a) Agnostic
b) Ascetic
c) Stoic
d) Fatalist
Answer: c) Stoic

Q5) A person who pretends to be what he is not:
a) Optimist
b) Pessimist
c) Hypocrite
d) Egoist
Answer: c) Hypocrite

Q6) A person who loves and supports his country:
a) Cosmopolitan
b) Nationalist
c) Patriot
d) Fanatic
Answer: c) Patriot

Q7) One who is all powerful:
a) Omniscient
b) Omnipotent
c) Omnipresent
d) Almighty
Answer: b) Omnipotent

Q8) A person who is excessively concerned with minor details:
a) Optimist
b) Perfectionist
c) Pedant
d) Realist
Answer: c) Pedant

Q9) The study of animals:
a) Botany
b) Zoology
c) Anthropology
d) Entomology
Answer: b) Zoology

Q10) One who is always ready to fight:
a) Pacifist
b) Aggressor
c) Belligerent
d) Mercenary
Answer: c) Belligerent

Q11) A person who speaks for others:
a) Translator
b) Spokesperson
c) Interpreter
d) Reporter
Answer: b) Spokesperson

Q12) The act of killing one’s brother:
a) Patricide
b) Fratricide
c) Homicide
d) Matricide
Answer: b) Fratricide

Q13) A place where clothes are washed and ironed:
a) Laundry
b) Pantry
c) Drapery
d) Tailor
Answer: a) Laundry

Q14) A government ruled by a king or queen:
a) Democracy
b) Autocracy
c) Monarchy
d) Plutocracy
Answer: c) Monarchy

Q15) A person who is unable to pay his debts:
a) Debtor
b) Pauper
c) Insolvent
d) Lender
Answer: c) Insolvent

Q16) One who lives on others’ earnings:
a) Dependent
b) Parasite
c) Beggar
d) Scavenger
Answer: b) Parasite

Q17) An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offences:
a) Parole
b) Amnesty
c) Bail
d) Acquittal
Answer: b) Amnesty

Q18) A place where bees are kept:
a) Apiary
b) Aviary
c) Hatchery
d) Kennel
Answer: a) Apiary

Q19) A record of one’s own life written by oneself:
a) Memoir
b) Biography
c) Autobiography
d) Diary
Answer: c) Autobiography

Q20) One who can speak two languages fluently:
a) Bilingual
b) Multilingual
c) Linguist
d) Interpreter
Answer: a) Bilingual

Q21) A person who is a lover of books:
a) Philatelist
b) Bibliophile
c) Grammarian
d) Scholar
Answer: b) Bibliophile

Q22) A speech delivered without prior preparation:
a) Manuscript
b) Dialogue
c) Extempore
d) Recitation
Answer: c) Extempore

Q23) One who eats everything:
a) Carnivore
b) Herbivore
c) Omnivore
d) Devourer
Answer: c) Omnivore

Q24) A person who loves to be alone:
a) Recluse
b) Introvert
c) Solitary
d) Monk
Answer: a) Recluse

Q25) A man who treats women with respect:
a) Gentleman
b) Nobleman
c) Feminist
d) Gallant
Answer: d) Gallant

Q26) A room where dead bodies are kept before burial:
a) Cemetery
b) Mortuary
c) Graveyard
d) Crematorium
Answer: b) Mortuary

Q27) A person who takes part in a conversation:
a) Debater
b) Orator
c) Interlocutor
d) Commentator
Answer: c) Interlocutor

Q28) That which cannot be read:
a) Indelible
b) Ineligible
c) Illegible
d) Invisible
Answer: c) Illegible

Q29) An arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence:
a) Classification
b) Timeline
c) Chronology
d) Catalog
Answer: c) Chronology

Q30) A person who looks after horses at a stable:
a) Jockey
b) Farrier
c) Groom
d) Shepherd
Answer: c) Groom

Check out Courses for All Govt Exams

Recommended Books to improve Vocabulary

1. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
2. Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
3. Plinth to Paramount by Neetu Singh
4. Kiran’s SSC One Word Substitution PDF / Book
5. SSC Previous Year Papers (English Section)

Key Takeaways – SSC English Vocabulary

• One Word Substitution is a high-frequency topic in SSC CGL, CHSL, and CPO.
• Most questions are direct and based on common vocabulary or past year papers.
• Regular practice of 10–15 questions daily boosts speed and accuracy.
• Using words in context (sentences) improves retention.
• Flashcards and revision notebooks help recall confusing or similar words.
• SSC repeats many questions – Download SSC CGL Previous Year Papers.
• Don’t ignore elimination techniques while solving tough questions.

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