SarkariPYQ

SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 8

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level - 3 Aug 2022 - Shift 4 • English • Q8

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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 3

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. snatch a moment.

Tense Concept: The main sentence is in past tense, so the verb used in the blank must also be in past tense to maintain consistency.
Grammatical Explanation:
– The sentence is: "I praised her art whenever I could (3) _____ alone with her and whisper in her ear..."
– "Could" is a past tense modal, so the verb that follows must also be in the simple past.
– "Snatched a moment" fits correctly with "could" and maintains the narrative flow in past tense.
Incorrect Options:
snatch a moment – base form; doesn't fit after "could"
snatches a moment – present tense; tense mismatch
have snatched a moment – present perfect; tense mismatch with past narration
Final Sentence: I praised her art whenever I could snatched a moment alone with her and whisper in her ear
Conclusion: The correct answer is snatched a moment.