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SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 89

SSC MTS - 05/11/2024 - (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM) • English • Q89

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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.

It was Saturday evening last week. My parents and younger sister had (1)_______ to my uncle's house to (2)______the day. I had stayed back to prepare for a class test. At 5:00 p.m, someone (3)_____the door bell. To my shock and dismay, one of my distant relatives, Mr. Sinha (4)______ standing with his suitcase. I had to call him in most unwillingly. He was a big bore and nothing less than a chatterbox. I asked his preference (5)____ coffee and tea.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

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

Context: The sentence describes a single past event: “Mr. Sinha ___ standing with his suitcase.” The past tense of “be” is required to match the past narrative.

Meaning of the words:

  • Been – past participle, used with auxiliary verbs, not correct here.

  • Were – past tense plural, not suitable for singular subject “Mr. Sinha.”

  • Is – present tense, incorrect for past events.

  • Was – past tense singular, correct for a singular subject in past tense.

Correct word: Was, because it correctly describes the past state of Mr. Sinha.

Final Sentence: To my shock and dismay, one of my distant relatives, Mr. Sinha, was standing with his suitcase.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.