SarkariPYQ

SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 10

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level - 3 Aug 2022 - Shift 4 • English • Q10

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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.
Thousands of persons must (1) __________ the same thing to her since, but I happened to
be the first in the line. Anyone likes to hear flattering sentiments, and more than others, I
suppose, dancers. They like (2) __________ every hour of the day how well they keep their
steps. I praised her art whenever I could (3) ___________ alone with her and whisper in her
ear, out of range of that husband of hers. Oh, what a man! I have not met a more grotesque
creature in my life. Instead of calling herself Rosie, she could more logically (4)
____________ him Marco Polo. He dressed like a man about to undertake an expedition—
with his thick coloured glasses, thick jacket and a thick helmet over which was perpetually
stretched a green, shiny waterproof cover, giving him the appearance of a space traveller. I
have, of course, no idea of the original Marco Polo’s appearance, but I wanted to call this man
Marco (5) ___________, and I have not bothered to associate him with any other name since.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. have said.

Tense Concept: The sentence refers to something that has happened repeatedly since a certain point in the past — this calls for the present perfect tense.
Grammatical Explanation:
 "Thousands of persons must have said the same thing to her since" is correct because:
"must have said" is used to express a strong assumption about a past action.
 The word "since" indicates a time reference from the past up to now, which fits the perfect tense.
Incorrect Options:
said – simple past; doesn't fit with "must" and "since"
says – present tense; grammatically incorrect here
saying – continuous or gerund form; doesn't fit the structure
Final Sentence: Thousands of persons must have said the same thing to her since
Conclusion: The correct answer is have said