SarkariPYQ

SSC CGL 2024 PYQ — Question 21

SSC CGL - 12 Sep 2024 - Shift 3 • English • Q21

Back to paper

 In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

Gandhi, (1)_________ father of the Indian nation, practiced ‘ahimsa’ in his personal and political life. He firmly believed that non-violence is not meant merely for monks, saints, and priests; it is for commoners too. If violence is the law of the (2)_______-beasts, non-violence is the law of the civilised human species. ‘The spirit of the brute is inactive, and so he knows no law; he knows only physical might. The dignity of man requires obedience to a higher law, to the strength of the spirit,’ Gandhi said. Ahimsa, to Gandhiji, meant that one should love all; even (3)________ enemies. And the expression of love, ahimsa, should be in such a manner that it impresses itself indelibly upon the so-called enemy, and then the enemy must return that love. It is a practically (4)________ philosophy. Gandhi was realistic; he believed that non-violence provides the fullest protection to one’s self-respect and sense of humour. It won’t work in the defence of (5)_______ gains and immoral acts. He called his marches off when people indulged in violence during protests for India’s freedom. His faith in ‘ahimsa’ played an influential role in enabling the creation of an independent India in 1947, with minimum bloodshed, breaking the shackles imposed by the British.

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

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

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

Context:The phrase is: “Gandhi, (1) _______ father of the Indian nation...”
This refers to a specific and widely acknowledged title, making the use of the definite article necessary.

Meaning of the words:
An: Indefinite article used before words starting with a vowel sound, but it does not suit a known, specific identity.
For: Preposition; grammatically incorrect in this context.
The: Definite article used to refer to something specific or already known to the reader or listener.
A: Indefinite article used for non-specific nouns — not suitable here since we are talking about the known father of the nation.

Correct word: The

Reason:Mahatma Gandhi is universally recognized as “the Father of the Indian nation.” This is a title and a unique identity, so it requires the definite article “the.” Using “a” or “an” would imply that he is one among many such fathers, which is incorrect. “For” makes no grammatical sense in this construction.

Hence the chosen option is correct.