SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 18 September 2025, Shift 1 · English Comprehension · Question 1 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.

Where this paper and its answers come from

SSC does not publish CGL question papers or a public answer key. From 2025 the candidate response sheet prints every question and option as a picture, so the text here is transcribed from those pictures for this shift and checked against them independently; where the layout carries meaning, the picture is shown as well. Each answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. SSC released a tentative key for challenge and later its final one, both only to candidates behind a login, and the sheet does not say which of the two it carries. The solutions are written by UnlockIAS.

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: COGENT

(a)Weak
(b)Dubious
(c)Convincing
(d)Unclear

Answer

Why

Correct — C. Cogent describes an argument or case that is clear, logical and convincing: it persuades because its reasoning holds.

Convincing names that same persuasive force, so it is the synonym → option (c).

The root confirms it: Latin cogere, 'to compel', from co- 'together' and agere 'to drive'. A cogent point compels agreement.

Why the others are wrong

(a)
Weak — Weak is the opposite pole. A weak argument fails to persuade, while a cogent one compels agreement, so this is nearer an antonym than a synonym.
(b)
Dubious — Dubious means doubtful or open to question. A cogent case leaves little room for doubt, so Dubious describes exactly the kind of argument cogent rules out.
(d)
Unclear — Unclear contradicts the clarity at the heart of cogent. Cogent reasoning is clear and logical by definition, so Unclear points the wrong way.

Concept

A synonym item is decided by the headword's core sense. For cogent that sense is the force of an argument: reasoning clear and strong enough to win agreement.

Look at how the options divide. Weak, Dubious and Unclear all describe an argument that fails. Convincing stands on the other side, with cogent.

Cogent collocates with argument, case, reason and evidence: 'a cogent argument', 'cogent reasons'. Recalling the collocation recalls the sense.

Cogent sits among near-synonyms such as compelling, persuasive and forceful. What it stresses is the appeal to reason: the argument convinces through its logic.

Key facts

Cogent means (of an argument or case) clear, logical and convincing.
It comes from Latin cogere, 'to compel', from co- 'together' and agere 'to drive'.
The noun is cogency, as in the cogency of her argument.
Near-synonyms include compelling, persuasive and forceful.

Study next

Adjectives that grade an argument: cogent, sound, specious, tenuous, fallaciousWords from Latin agere, 'to drive, to do': agent, agile, cogent

Common traps

Confusing cogent with look-alikes such as cognizant (aware) or cognitive (to do with thinking)

Here the headword is printed in capitals and three of the four options describe an argument that fails.

The unclear end of the scale is keyed at 12 Sep 2025, 16:00, English Q.1, where the synonym of NEBULOUS is Vague. The near-synonym compelling describes an argument in the connector item at 13 Sep 2025, 12:30, English Q.8 (keyed nevertheless).

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Topic: Synonyms — all 129 SSC CGL questions on it, every solved shift.