One Word Substitutions Questions for SSC Exams

Author at PW
October 28, 2025
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One Word Substitutions Questions for SSC Exams

In the SSC exams, along with main subjects like General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language, vocabulary-based topics are also very important. One such topic is One Word Substitution, which holds a good weightage in the English section of exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, and MTS. These questions test your ability to replace a long phrase or sentence with a single, meaningful word. For example, instead of saying “a person who looks at the bright side of things,” you can use the word optimist.

Practising One Word Substitution for SSC CGL and other SSC exams helps you build a strong vocabulary and improve your understanding of word meanings and usage. To prepare well, students should learn and revise new words daily, make short notes, and practise through previous year papers. Having a good command of One Word Substitution for SSC will make your English preparation stronger and help you score better in the final exam.

Check Out: SSC Books

What is One Word Substitution?

One Word Substitution means using a single word to replace a long phrase or sentence without changing its meaning. It helps in making language more clear and concise. In SSC exams, this type of question checks your vocabulary, understanding of word meanings, and ability to use them correctly in sentences. For example:

  • A person who loves books – Bibliophile

  • A place where animals are kept – Zoo

  • A person who speaks many languages – Polyglot

  • A life story written by oneself – Autobiography

  • A person who never eats meat – Vegetarian

Check Out: SSC Previous year Papers

One Word Substitution in English

In SSC exams like SSC CGL and SSC CHSL, English vocabulary plays a major role in scoring well in the language section. The following table includes a wide collection of one word substitutions for SSC CGL and one word substitutions for SSC CHSL. Each example is written in a simple and easy way to help you understand and remember them better:-

Elaborated Phrase

One Word Substitution

A person who loves and helps humanity

Philanthropist

A person who hates mankind or avoids human society

Misanthrope

A person who can use both hands with equal skill

Ambidextrous

A person who does not believe in the existence of God

Atheist

A person who believes in the existence of God

Theist

A person who pretends to have moral standards but acts otherwise

Hypocrite

A person who looks at the bright side of things

Optimist

A person who looks at the dark side of things

Pessimist

A person who is always dissatisfied and finds faults

Cynic

A person who travels from place to place without a home

Nomad

A person who speaks many languages fluently

Polyglot

A person who can speak only one language

Monolingual

A person who writes about the lives of others

Biographer

A person who writes about his or her own life

Autobiographer

A person who takes great interest in books and reading

Bibliophile

A person who hates books

Bibliophobe

A person who eats human flesh

Cannibal

A person who believes that pleasure is the chief aim of life

Hedonist

A person who gives up worldly pleasures and lives a simple life

Ascetic

A person who studies human society and culture

Anthropologist

A person who studies the stars and heavenly bodies

Astronomer

A person who studies earthquakes

Seismologist

A person who studies plants

Botanist

A person who studies animals

Zoologist

A person who studies the mind and behaviour

Psychologist

A person who studies the origin and history of words

Etymologist

A person who studies past human life through fossils and remains

Archaeologist

A place where weapons and ammunition are stored

Arsenal

A place where birds are kept

Aviary

A place where coins, medals, and stamps are kept

Numismatics

A place where dead bodies are kept temporarily before burial

Mortuary

A place where wines and spirits are made

Brewery

A place where animals are kept for exhibition

Zoo

A place where sick people are treated

Hospital

A place where orphans live and are cared for

Orphanage

A place where books are kept for reading or reference

Library

A place where scientific experiments are conducted

Laboratory

A thing that cannot be read because it is written badly

Illegible

One Word Substitutions Questions for SSC Exams

1. A person who knows everything

(a) Optimist

(b) Omniscient

(c) Genius

(d) Scholar

Answer: (b) Omniscient

2. A person who loves and collects books

(a) Bibliophile

(b) Philatelist

(c) Botanist

(d) Linguist

Answer: (a) Bibliophile

3. A speech delivered without any preparation

(a) Debate

(b) Dialogue

(c) Extempore

(d) Monologue

Answer: (c) Extempore

To get more One Word Substitutions Questions for SSC Exams, Click Here.

How to Master One Word Substitution Questions for SSC Exams?

1. Understand What One Word Substitution Means

Before you begin learning, it is important to clearly understand what One Word Substitution in English means. It refers to using a single word to express a full phrase or sentence. This makes communication shorter and more powerful.

  • Try connecting each new word with a real-life meaning or situation to understand it better.

  • Read the word aloud and write it down several times, as this will help you remember it for a long time.

  • Revise the older words frequently so that you do not forget them over time.

2. Know Why It Is Important for SSC Exams

One Word Substitution for SSC CGL and SSC CHSL is a scoring part of the English section. These questions are usually short and direct, and if you know the meanings well, you can easily answer them in just a few seconds and secure full marks.

  • You will usually find these questions in the SSC English vocabulary part of Tier 1 and Tier 2 papers.

  • A good understanding of one word substitutions also helps you write better essays and letters in the descriptive section.

  • Regular practice strengthens your vocabulary and helps you with related topics like synonyms, antonyms, and reading comprehension.

3. Start with NCERT and Basic Vocabulary

A strong foundation always begins with simple learning. That is why starting with NCERT books and basic English vocabulary is the best first step. The NCERT English textbooks from Classes 6 to 10 already contain many words that are useful for SSC exams.

  • Write down every new word you come across and note its meaning in your own words.

  • Try to use these new words in small sentences while speaking or writing.

  • Keep a separate notebook only for vocabulary practice and quick revision.

4. Make a Separate One Word Substitution Notebook

Having a personal notebook helps you stay organised and confident while revising. You can note down all One Word Substitution for SSC in one place and go through them whenever you have some free time.

  • Divide your notebook into categories such as “People,” “Places,” “Actions,” and “Qualities.”

  • Write at least ten new words daily and revise the ones you learnt earlier.

  • Use highlighters or coloured pens to make your notes more attractive and easy to read.

Also Check, SSC Textbooks

5. Learn Category-Wise Words

There are thousands of one word substitution in English, and learning them randomly can be confusing. A better approach is to group words by category or theme so that you can remember them more easily.

  • Study words topic-wise, such as those related to emotions, professions, actions, or human qualities.

  • Create mini-lists, for example, “words about fear,” “words about education,” or “words about life and death.”

  • Try to visualise each situation in your mind when you learn a new word to make it more memorable.

6. Practise with SSC CGL Previous Year Papers

Previous year question papers are one of the best resource to understand the type of one word substitution for SSC CGL that is asked in the exams. You will notice that many questions are repeated or asked in similar ways.

  • Go through at least ten previous year papers to understand the pattern of questions.

  • Make a list of words that are frequently repeated in different papers.

  • Practise solving these papers within a time limit to build speed and accuracy.

7. Use Flashcards for Quick Revision

Flashcards are one of the simplest and most effective ways to remember vocabulary. You can create your own flashcards with words and meanings written on opposite sides.

  • Carry a few flashcards with you and revise them during short breaks or travel time.

  • Use different colours for different word types, such as blue for places, green for people, and yellow for actions.

  • Revise at least ten to fifteen flashcards every day to stay consistent.

8. Make Sentences with Each Word

Learning meanings is useful, but real understanding comes when you use words in sentences. Forming sentences will help you remember words for a long time and improve your writing skills as well.

  • Write one or two sentences for every new word you learn.

  • Try using these words in your daily conversations or while writing short notes.

  • Test yourself weekly by writing small paragraphs using five new words together.

9. Highlight Difficult Words

Some words are difficult to remember, especially if they sound similar. Highlighting them will make it easier to revise before the exam.

  • Write tricky words on small sticky notes and paste them on your study wall or mirror.

  • Go through them while you take short breaks or before going to bed.

  • Revise them repeatedly until they become easy to recall.

10. Make Notes from Trusted Books

After learning the basics, it is good to move to reliable study materials such as PW English Books for SSC. These books provide carefully selected one word substitution for SSC with proper meanings and examples.

  • Read one chapter daily and highlight the important words.

  • Write summaries of what you study to make revision faster.

  • Review these notes once a week to strengthen your understanding.

Read More: List of English Vocabulary Words for SSC Exam

One Word Substitutions Questions FAQs

1. What is One Word Substitution in English?

One Word Substitution is a question type where a single word replaces a long phrase or sentence without changing its meaning. It helps in improving vocabulary and sentence precision.

2. Is One Word Substitution asked in SSC CGL and SSC CHSL exams?

Yes, One Word Substitution questions are a regular part of the English Language section in SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and other SSC exams.

3. How many One Word Substitution questions are asked in SSC exams?

Usually, around 2 to 3 questions on One Word Substitution are asked in Tier 1 exams, and sometimes more in Tier 2 depending on the paper pattern.

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One Word Substitutions Questions for SSC Exams