SarkariPYQ

SSC CHSL 2023 PYQ — Question 24

SSC CHSL 2023 - 03 Aug 2023 - Shift 4 • English • Q24

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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.

The Grim Reaper seems to have (1)_______ in Europe during the 14th century. It was during this time that Europe was dealing with what was then the world’s (2)_______ pandemic, the Black Death, believed to be the result of the plague. It is estimated that about one-third of Europe’s entire population (3)_________ as a result of the pandemic, with some areas of the continent suffering far greater losses than others. The original outbreak of the plague occurred during 1347–51, and outbreaks then (4)________ several other times after that. So, clearly, death was something that the surviving Europeans had on their mind, and it is not surprising that they (5)_______ an image to represent it.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

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

In the context of the passage, the word "recurred" is used to describe the repeated instances of outbreaks of the plague after the original outbreak during 1347–51. 

"Recur" means to happen again or repeatedly, especially at regular intervals. In this case, it highlights the pattern of outbreaks of the plague happening multiple times after the initial occurrence. The choice of "recurred" suggests that the plague was not a one-time event but rather a recurring phenomenon in Europe during that historical period.

Therefore, by using "recurred," the sentence effectively communicates that outbreaks of the plague were not isolated incidents but rather occurred repeatedly over time, further emphasizing the ongoing impact and persistence of the disease in European society.

So, the completed sentence would be: "The original outbreak of the plague occurred during 1347–51, and outbreaks then recurred several other times after that."