Choose the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 5.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Sniffer dog Tucker uses (1)________ nose to help researchers find out why a killer whale population off the northwest coast of the United States is (2)________ the decline. He searches for whale faeces floating on the surface of the water, which are then collected for examination. He is one of the elite team members of detection dogs used by scientists studying a (3)________ of species including right whales and killer whales.
Conservation canines are fast becoming indispensable tools for biologists according to Aimee Hurt, associate director and co-founder of Working Dogs for Conservation, (4)________ in Three Forks, Montana.
Over the last few years, though, so many new conservation dog projects have sprung up that Hurt can no (5)________ keep track of them all. Her organisation’s dogs and their handlers are fully booked to assist field researchers into 2012.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. longer

Context: The sentence talks about Aimee Hurt not being able to keep track of all the conservation dog projects over the years. The blank should indicate time.

Meaning of the words:

shorter – less in length or duration
lesser – smaller in amount or degree
moreover – in addition, furthermore
longer – extended in time or duration

Correct word:

longer

Reason: The phrase “can no longer keep track” is correct in English to indicate that it is impossible now. Other options like shorter, lesser, or moreover do not fit the context.

Final Sentence: Over the last few years, though, so many new conservation dog projects have sprung up that Hurt can no longer keep track of them all.

Hence, the chosen option will be correct

SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 90