SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 13 September 2025, Shift 2 · English Comprehension · Question 17 of 100

We transcribed this text from the pictures on a candidate's response sheet for this shift; the answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. Solution last reviewed 13 September 2026.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:
In contemporary discourse, the debate between entrepreneurship and conventional employment has gained remarkable traction. While traditional employment offers predictability, structured growth, and a defined career trajectory, entrepreneurship appeals to those seeking autonomy, innovation, and the potential for exponential returns. However, both paths are fraught with distinct advantages and inherent uncertainties. Employment, particularly within established organizations, provides financial stability, social recognition, and institutional support. Employees are not burdened with existential risks such as capital loss or market unpredictability. Instead, they operate within frameworks of responsibility and hierarchy, where risk is absorbed at higher managerial levels. For many, this structure offers psychological comfort and a clear roadmap for progression. Conversely, entrepreneurship demands resilience, resourcefulness, and a high tolerance for ambiguity. Entrepreneurs must navigate volatile markets, regulatory complexities, and the absence of assured income—challenges often underestimated by aspirants. Yet, for those with a risk appetite and creative acumen, entrepreneurship promises a unique form of fulfillment. It allows individuals to disrupt existing paradigms, build ventures from the ground up, and possibly shape industries. Societal perceptions further complicate the dichotomy. In many cultures, steady employment is seen as the hallmark of success, while entrepreneurial endeavors are often perceived as reckless or unstable—until they succeed. This perception, however, is gradually shifting as global startup ecosystems mature and innovation becomes synonymous with progress. The real decision, therefore, lies not in which path is superior but in aligning one’s temperament, values, and long-term goals with the demands of each route. Entrepreneurship may offer liberation, but it is not without sacrifice. Employment may provide security, but it can come at the cost of creative constraint. A reflective, context-aware approach—not blind aspiration—is essential for navigating this professional crossroads.

How does the passage describe societal views toward entrepreneurship?

(a)Always supportive
(b)Unanimously dismissive
(c)Overwhelmingly negative
(d)Skeptical until proven successful

Answer

Why

Correct — D. The passage says: "entrepreneurial endeavors are often perceived as reckless or unstable—until they succeed."

Perceiving a venture as reckless is doubting it, which is skeptical. Until they succeed marks the point where that view changes, which is until proven successful.

Both halves of option (d) come straight from that sentence → option (d).

Why the others are wrong

(a)
Always supportive — Always supportive reverses the passage, which says ventures are perceived as reckless or unstable. Always also overstates a view the passage limits to many cultures.
(b)
Unanimously dismissive — Unanimously overstates the text. The passage limits the view to many cultures, says ventures are "often" seen this way, and adds that the perception "is gradually shifting".
(c)
Overwhelmingly negative — Overwhelmingly negative ignores the turn in "until they succeed": the doubt lifts once a venture works. The passage also calls the perception gradually shifting.

Concept

Read the qualifiers before choosing. The passage hedges its claim: "In many cultures", "often perceived", "until they succeed".

Options built on always, unanimously or overwhelmingly claim more than those limits allow.

The right option keeps both the doubt and its time limit. Skeptical matches "reckless or unstable", and until proven successful matches "until they succeed".

The passage goes on: "This perception, however, is gradually shifting as global startup ecosystems mature". That rules out any fixed, universal view as well.

Key facts

Skeptical means doubtful, not yet convinced.
An extreme word such as always or unanimously needs equally strong support in the text.
The passage says the perception of entrepreneurship is gradually shifting as startup ecosystems mature.

Study next

Tone and attitude questions: skeptical, dismissive, ambivalent, supportiveQualifiers in passages: often, many, some, gradually

Common traps

Choosing overwhelmingly negative because reckless and unstable are harsh words, and missing the time limit in until they succeed

At 13 Sep 2025, 12:30, English Q.19, the same passage asks what "dichotomy" means. That word sits in the sentence just before the one that answers this question.

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Topic: Reading comprehension — all 128 SSC CGL questions on it, every solved shift.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:
In contemporary discourse, the debate between entrepreneurship and conventional employment has gained remarkable traction. While traditional employment offers predictability, structured growth, and a defined career trajectory, entrepreneurship appeals to those seeking autonomy, innovation, and the potential for exponential returns. However, both paths are fraught with distinct advantages and inherent uncertainties. Employment, particularly within established organizations, provides financial stability, social recognition, and institutional support. Employees are not burdened with existential risks such as capital loss or market unpredictability. Instead, they operate within frameworks of responsibility and hierarchy, where risk is absorbed at higher managerial levels. For many, this structure offers psychological comfort and a clear roadmap for progression. Conversely, entrepreneurship demands resilience, resourcefulness, and a high tolerance for ambiguity. Entrepreneurs must navigate volatile markets, regulatory complexities, and the absence of assured income—challenges often underestimated by aspirants. Yet, for those with a risk appetite and creative acumen, entrepreneurship promises a unique form of fulfillment. It allows individuals to disrupt existing paradigms, build ventures from the ground up, and possibly shape industries. Societal perceptions further complicate the dichotomy. In many cultures, steady employment is seen as the hallmark of success, while entrepreneurial endeavors are often perceived as reckless or unstable—until they succeed. This perception, however, is gradually shifting as global startup ecosystems mature and innovation becomes synonymous with progress. The real decision, therefore, lies not in which path is superior but in aligning one’s temperament, values, and long-term goals with the demands of each route. Entrepreneurship may offer liberation, but it is not without sacrifice. Employment may provide security, but it can come at the cost of creative constraint. A reflective, context-aware approach—not blind aspiration—is essential for navigating this professional crossroads.