SarkariPYQ

SSC MTS 2023 PYQ — Question 64

SSC MTS - 02 May 2023 - Shift 2 • General Awareness • Q64

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In the following passage some of the words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

A young man walks toward me with a stick slung across his back and a (1)______ of sheep at his feet, which carry him down the path (2)_______ a crowd of rowdy children. An older man follows, weatherworn but still (3)_____, a rifle over his left shoulder. He clicks his tongue to (4) ______the flock. Behind him are two women on horses; I guess (5) _______ are his wife and daughter.

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. encourage.

  • The passage describes an older man following a young man, with the older man clicking his tongue to influence the movement of the sheep. The action of clicking the tongue typically serves to control or direct the animals.
  • The context implies that the older man is using the tongue-clicking sound to direct or manage the flock's movement. "Encourage" fits best because it suggests prompting or guiding the sheep to move, which aligns with the common practice of shepherds using sounds to guide their animals.

The other option means:

  1. Punish: This word suggests administering a penalty or correction, which doesn't fit the context of guiding or directing the flock.
  2. Claim: This word suggests asserting ownership or right over something, which doesn't align with the context of managing or directing the movement of the flock.
  3. Dress: This word typically means to prepare or arrange, but it is not commonly used in the context of guiding or managing the movement of a flock of sheep.

Encourage is the most appropriate word for blank number 4 because it fits the context of the older man using a sound to prompt the movement of the flock.