Short Passages
Reading Comprehension - SSC GD English Section
Introduction
Short Passages are the most scoring part of SSC GD English. Passages are very simple, usually 80–120 words, with direct questions.
No difficult vocabulary
No tricky inference
Just basic understanding
Direct fact-based questions
Exam Tip: If you can read English normally → 4/4 marks easy.
What Are Short Passages?
A small paragraph followed by 3–5 questions.
Questions are usually:
Direct fact-based
Word meaning
Main idea
True/false type
Synonym/antonym from the passage
Important: SSC does NOT give tough CAT-level comprehension. It's school-level English.
How to Solve Short Passages (Fast Strategy)
1. Read the questions BEFORE reading the passage
You know what to find → saves time.
2. Scan, don't read slowly
Look for keywords from questions.
3. Answers are directly inside the passage
SSC GD never asks out-of-passage questions.
4. No overthinking
If the line is written clearly → that is the answer.
5. Watch for synonyms
Sometimes, the exam changes the wording.
High-Frequency Comprehension Topics in SSC GD
Environment
Daily life
Education
Health
Social values
Science basics
Moral stories
Note: Nothing deep or abstract.
Example Short Passage (SSC GD Style)
PASSAGE
Ravi wakes up early every morning and goes for a walk in the nearby park. He believes that walking keeps him healthy and active. After returning home, he helps his mother with household chores before getting ready for school. Ravi always tries to manage his time well so that he can study, play, and still help his family.
Why does Ravi go for a walk?
Options: (a) To meet friends (b) To stay healthy (c) To pass time (d) To prepare for school
View Answer
To stay healthy
What does Ravi do after returning home?
Options: (a) Sleeps again (b) Goes to school (c) Helps his mother (d) Plays outside
View Answer
Helps his mother
Which word from the passage means "nearby"?
Options: (a) early (b) active (c) manage (d) nearby
View Answer
nearby
What does Ravi try to manage well?
Options: (a) Study time (b) Play time (c) His schedule (d) His sleep
View Answer
His schedule
The passage mainly talks about —
Options: (a) Ravi's exam (b) Ravi's hobbies (c) Ravi's daily routine (d) Ravi's school
View Answer
Ravi's daily routine
SSC GD Solved Passage (2nd Example)
PASSAGE
Trees play an important role in keeping our environment clean. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen which is essential for human life. Trees also provide shelter to birds and animals. Cutting down trees can lead to pollution and imbalance in nature.
What do trees absorb?
View Answer
carbon dioxide
What do trees release?
View Answer
oxygen
Cutting down trees leads to what?
View Answer
pollution / imbalance
Trees provide shelter to whom?
View Answer
birds and animals
Main idea of the passage:
View Answer
importance of trees
Quick Recap
Read questions first
Only direct answers → no guesswork
Very simple vocabulary in SSC GD
Identify main idea → usually in first or last line
Look for keywords
Practice makes you faster
Key Point: This section gives full marks with minimum effort.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
SSC GD 2022 — Passage on health benefits → questions were direct fact-based
SSC GD 2021 — Passage about environment → main idea + one synonym
SSC GD 2020 — School routine passage → who, what, why type questions
SSC GD 2019 — Moral story-based passage → direct questions only
SSC GD 2018 — Short factual passage about animals → 100% direct answers
You've completed Short Passages Lesson!
Courage Tip: Short Passages are your golden opportunity to score full marks in SSC GD English. Remember to read questions first, scan for keywords, and trust the direct answers from the passage. Don't overthink - SSC GD comprehension is straightforward and designed to be easily solvable with basic reading skills.
Master Short Passages for SSC GD Exam!
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