SarkariPYQ

SSC Selection Post 2024 PYQ — Question 10

SSC Selection Post - Graduation Level - 26 June 2024 - Shift 3 • 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.

Can we see (1)________ the earth is a globe? Yes, we can, when we watch a ship that sails out to sea. If we watch closely, we see that the ship begins (2)________. The bottom of the ship disappears first, and then the ship seems to sink lower and lower, (3) ________ we can only see the top of the ship, and then we see nothing at all. What is hiding the ship from us? It is the earth. Stick a pin most of the way into an orange, and (4) ________ turn the orange away from you. You will see the pin disappear, (5)________ a ship does on the earth.

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

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. whether.

The sentence is: 'Can we see (1)________ the earth is a globe?'

Here, the sentence is asking a yes/no type of question — it is not asking for a place (where), not making a statement (that), and not proposing a condition (if).

The correct conjunction to use when asking an indirect yes/no question is 'whether'.

Let’s examine the options:

where – used for place → incorrect.

that – used to introduce a clause stating a fact → incorrect.

if – although sometimes used for yes/no questions, “whether” is more formal and preferred when followed by a clause (like “the earth is a globe”) → “whether” is better here.

whether – correct usage for indirect questions → Correct answer.

Final sentence: Can we see whether the earth is a globe?