SarkariPYQ

SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 9

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level 2022 - 11 Feb 2022 - Shift 1 • English • Q9

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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.

Oxygen fuels our living processes. It contracts our muscles, helps our cells to work, grow and regenerate, (1)______ our brains, calms our nerves, helps the heart to pump, fights infection and (2)______ immunity," says Dr Narendra Nath Jena, Director, Institute of Emergency Medicine, MMH R Centre, Madurai. Once air enters the nose or mouth, it gets humidified and reaches (3)______ alveoli. The alveoli are tiny air sacs that help to (4)______ oxygen and transfer it into the blood stream and also to pull out the carbon dioxide and push it out of the lungs. COVID-19 destroys (5)______ alveoli by thickening the walls so gas exchange becomes difficult.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

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

Context: The sentence lists the benefits of oxygen to the human body — like helping muscles, calming nerves, pumping the heart, fighting infection, and improving immunity. So, we need a word that means to increase or support immunity.

Meaning of the words:

  • Thrusts – to push forcefully (not suitable here).

  • Lowers – to reduce or decrease (opposite of what is needed).

  • Boosts – to increase or improve something – ✅ suitable here.

  • Treats – to heal or give medical care (doesn’t fit in this structure).

Correct word: The word “boosts” means to increase or improve, especially in terms of health, immunity, or energy.

Reason: Since oxygen helps the body in many ways and the phrase is “fights infection and ______ immunity”, the correct and logical word is “boosts” — because we fight infection and boost immunity.

Final Sentence: Oxygen fuels our living processes. It contracts our muscles, helps our cells to work, grow and regenerate, energises our brains, calms our nerves, helps the heart to pump, fights infection and boosts immunity.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.