Select the most appropriate option for blank number 3.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

The earliest kind of print technology was developed in China. This was a system of hand (1)_____. From AD 594 onwards, (2)______ in China were printed by (3)______ paper, against the inked surface (4)______ woodblocks. As both sides of (5)______ thin, porous sheet could not be printed, the traditional Chinese ‘accordion book’ was folded and stitched at the side.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3, i.e., rubbing.

Passage Context:
From AD 594 onwards, books in China were printed by (3)______ paper, against the inked surface (4)______ woodblocks.

Grammar Explanation:
The phrase printed by (verb + ing) paper describes the method.
rubbing means applying pressure by moving back and forth, which is how ink was transferred from woodblocks to paper in traditional printing.

Incorrect options:
write is the base form and incorrect here
rub is the base form and doesn’t fit the gerund/participle usage
writiing is a misspelling

Correct sentence: books in China were printed by rubbing paper.

Conclusion: The correct option is rubbing.

SSC Selection Post 2023 PYQ — Question 18