SarkariPYQ

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 3

SSC GD Const 2025 (English) - 07 Feb 2025 - Shift 2 • English • Q3

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In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Apart from the fact that he was at this moment, disguised as a spiritual leader ___1___ the Christian Church, there was nothing sinister about Mr. Cyril Boggis. He was ___2___ trade a dealer in antique furniture, with his own shop and showroom in the King’s Road, Chelsea. His premises ___3___ not large, and generally he did not do a great deal of business, but because he always bought very, very cheap and sold very, very ___4___ he managed to make quite a tidy little income every year. He was a talented salesman, and when buying or selling a ___5___ he could slide smoothly into whichever mood suited the client best. He was well aware of his gift using it shamelessly on every possible occasion.
 

Select the most appropriate option the fill in blank number 3.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. were.

Context: The line is: “His premises not large …” and it is describing Mr. Cyril Boggis’s shop. The word premises is always treated as a plural noun in English.

Meaning of the words:

  • Were = past tense plural form of “be” (correct for plural subject).

  • Are = present tense plural (but the passage is in past tense).

  • Was = past tense singular (wrong because premises is plural).

  • Is = present tense singular (wrong tense and number).

Correct word: The correct word is were, because premises is plural and the passage is written in past tense.

Reason: Since the sentence is in past tense and the subject is plural (premises), we must use were.

Final Sentence: “His premises were not large, and generally he did not do a great deal of business…”

Hence, the chosen option is correct.