SarkariPYQ

SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 86

SSC MTS - 07/10/2024 - (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) • English • Q86

Back to paper

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

Dolphins 1_________ regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea, and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we 2____________ about dolphins, the more we realise that their society is more complex 3__________ people previously imagined. They look 4____________ other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant 5___________ and protect the weakest in the community, as we do.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. are.

Context: The sentence talks about dolphins in the present general truth, so the verb should be in the simple present tense and plural in form to agree with the plural subject 'dolphins.'

Meaning of the words:

Has: Third-person singular form of “have”; used with singular subjects.
Was: Past tense of “is”; inappropriate as the sentence is in present tense.
Are: Plural form of “be”; used with plural subjects.
Is: Singular form of “be”; used with singular subjects.

Correct word: Are

Reason: “Dolphins” is a plural noun and needs a plural helping verb “are” for correct subject-verb agreement in the present tense.

Final Sentence: Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea.

Hence the chosen option is correct.