SSC CHSL 2022 PYQ — Question 3

SSC CHSL - 3 June 2022 - Shift 2 • English • Q3

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

Many of the major supermarket chains have come under fire with accusations of (1)__________ unethical acts over the past decade. They've wasted tonnes of food, they've underpaid their suppliers and they've contributed to excessive plastic waste in their packaging, which has had its impact on our environment. But supermarkets and grocers are (2)__________ to sit up and take notice. In response to (3)__________ consumer backlash against the huge amounts of plastic waste generated by plastic packaging, some of the largest UK supermarkets have (4)__________ up a pact promising to transform packaging and cut plastic wastage. In a pledge to reuse, recycle or compost all plastic wastage by 2025, supermarkets are now beginning to take (5)__________ responsibility for the part they play in contributing to the damage to our environment, with one major supermarket announcing their plan to eliminate all plastic packaging in their own-brand products by 2023.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

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

  • The word "backlash" indicates a strong negative reaction from consumers in response to the excessive plastic waste created by plastic packaging.
  • The word "growing" is used to convey that this negative consumer reaction is increasing or becoming more widespread over time.
  • The use of the word 'growing' aligns with the whole paragraph, making it coherent.

Thus, the sentence would read:

"In response to growing consumer backlash against the huge amounts of plastic waste generated by plastic packaging.."