SarkariPYQ

SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 7

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level 2022 - 11 Feb 2022 - Shift 1 • English • Q7

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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.

Oxygen fuels our living processes. It contracts our muscles, helps our cells to work, grow and regenerate, (1)______ our brains, calms our nerves, helps the heart to pump, fights infection and (2)______ immunity," says Dr Narendra Nath Jena, Director, Institute of Emergency Medicine, MMH R Centre, Madurai. Once air enters the nose or mouth, it gets humidified and reaches (3)______ alveoli. The alveoli are tiny air sacs that help to (4)______ oxygen and transfer it into the blood stream and also to pull out the carbon dioxide and push it out of the lungs. COVID-19 destroys (5)______ alveoli by thickening the walls so gas exchange becomes difficult.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 4.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4, i.e. pull out.

Context: The sentence talks about how alveoli help to take oxygen in and also remove carbon dioxide from the body. The correct phrasal verb should mean to remove something from the lungs.

Meaning of the words:

  • Pull off – to succeed in doing something difficult or to remove something with force (not suitable here).

  • Pull through – to recover from illness or difficulty (not suitable in this context).

  • Pull in – to arrive (usually vehicles), or to earn money (not suitable here).

  • Pull out – to remove or extract something, especially from inside a place –  this fits perfectly.

Correct word: The alveoli pull out carbon dioxide, meaning they remove it from the blood and body. The phrase “pull out” fits this idea of removing something.

Reason: The alveoli exchange gases – oxygen goes in, and carbon dioxide is pulled out of the bloodstream. So, “pull out” best expresses this action of removal.

Final Sentence: The alveoli are tiny air sacs that help to absorb oxygen and transfer it into the bloodstream and also to pull out the carbon dioxide and push it out of the lungs.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.