Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4

Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
The worst days of any summer are the rainy ones. We spend all year looking forward to (1)_____ weather and long, hot days. All of winter, with its dreary grey days and (2)_____ cold, we dream of those (3)_____ days at the beach, laying on the sand and (4)_____ in the (5)_____ and burning sun. And then, summer comes, and it rains.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. soaking.

Context:
The sentence is: “... laying on the sand and (4)_____ in the (5)_____ and burning sun.”
Here, the action should describe enjoying the sun’s rays while lying on the beach. The word “soaking” (as in soaking up the sun) perfectly matches this context.

Meaning of the words:

arid – extremely dry, usually describes land or climate, not a human action.
soaking – absorbing or basking in; fits naturally with “sun.”
walking – does not fit with “laying on the sand.”
dry – an adjective, grammatically unsuitable in this blank.

Correct word: soaking

Final Sentence: ... laying on the sand and soaking in the bright and burning sun.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 2