Identify the sentence that contains a relative clause:

Read the passage and answer the questions:

Water constitutes approximately 60% of the human body and plays a critical role in nearly every biological function, from regulating temperature to facilitating cellular metabolism. Despite its vital importance, adequate water intake is often overlooked in daily health routines. Dehydration, even at mild levels, can impair cognitive performance, reduce physical endurance, and compromise cardiovascular function. Conversely, over-hydration—though rarer—can lead to hyponatremia, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by diluted blood sodium levels.

The amount of water an individual requires varies significantly depending on factors such as age, body size, environmental conditions, and levels of physical activity. While conventional wisdom suggests a daily intake of eight glasses, modern research advocates for a more nuanced approach, emphasizing hydration cues like thirst and the colour of urine as more accurate indicators of bodily needs. Furthermore, water intake is not solely dependent on direct consumption; foods with high water content, such as fruits and vegetables, also contribute substantially to hydration.

In contemporary society, where caffeinated beverages and processed foods are increasingly prevalent, maintaining optimal hydration demands conscious effort. Unlike water, many popular drinks act as diuretics, increasing fluid loss and potentially exacerbating dehydration risks. Health professionals, therefore, encourage not only regular water consumption but also the cultivation of habits that support overall fluid balance, such as moderating caffeine intake and choosing water-rich foods.

Identify the sentence that contains a relative clause:

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. The mechanical extraction of minerals may cause irreversible damage to species uniquely adapted to these environments.

Analysis of the Sentence

In this sentence, the relative clause is "uniquely adapted to these environments."

Grammatical Concept: Reduced Relative Clauses While this sentence does not use a typical relative pronoun (like who, which, or that), it contains what is known as a reduced relative clause.

Full form: ...species that are uniquely adapted to these environments.
Reduced form: ...species uniquely adapted to these environments.

When a relative clause contains a "be" verb (is/am/are/was/were), the relative pronoun and the "be" verb can be omitted. This leaves behind a participial phrase that continues to function as a relative clause by modifying the preceding noun (species).

Why the other options do not contain a relative clause:

Option 1: Uses an appositive phrase ("far from being an inert wasteland") to rename or describe "The deep sea," but it does not function as a relative clause.
Option 2: Starts with a participial phrase acting as an adverbial modifier of time/condition ("Once disturbed").
Option 4: Uses a present participle phrase ("releasing plumes of sediment") to describe a simultaneous action, acting as an adverbial modifier rather than a relative clause.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.

SSC CGL 2025 PYQ — Question 22