Select the most appropriate Option in blank number 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.
Tim Wright knows all about making companies more efficient. His firm, Check-up, sends
‘secret shoppers’ into retail and leisure companies in order to make sure that customers are
receiving good service. After (1)_________ visit, the secret shoppers prepare a report for the
company to let them know how the service was. “Companies like to know”, says Mr Wright,
“that (2)____________ customers go into a store just a few minutes before closing time, they
will still get good service.”

Check-up (3)___________ set up in the west of England and after two years moved to
London so it could offer a nationwide service. (4)________ the last three years, Check-up’s
profits have increased dramatically as companies have come to realise the great importance
of good customer service. Last week, an important new contract was (5)_________ with a
major supermarket chain.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. signed.

The sentence is: "Last week, an important new contract was (5)_________ with a major supermarket chain."

The structure here is passive voice in the past tense, so we need the past participle form of the verb.

"Signed" is the past participle and fits perfectly after "was" to form the passive voice.

Option 1: signing is a present participle and does not fit after "was."

Option 2: sign is the base form and incorrect in this context.

Option 4: have signed is present perfect tense and doesn't fit after "was."

SSC Selection Post 2024 PYQ — Question 6