SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 89

SSC MTS - 15/10/2024 - (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) • English • Q89

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Are you familiar with the movie ‘Jurassic Park’? Do you recall the enormous dinosaurs? Do you know that there is still a mammal that is as big and amazing as them? Blue whales are the world’s largest living things and (1)________ vast oceanic expanses. The adult is more than 100 feet long and (2)_____ more than 190 metric tons. According to scientists, a blue whale’s heart weighs as much as a car while its tongue weighs as much as an elephant! They eat meat, but they don’t have teeth. They gulp and swallow huge quantities of krill and shrimp for their diet. Their mouths have bristles that look like combs and remove water while keeping their food (3)_______.
Whales are social animals that live in ‘pods’, which are made up of more females than males. They take care of their children. Another female takes over and cares for the calf if one mother is unable to provide it with milk. Their bond is very strong, and they cry when another whale dies. The male makes sure that everyone in the pod gets their fair share of food.
Whistles, clock-like sounds, and songs—frequent, high-pitched sounds—are the means by which the whales (4)_________ with one another. It assists them in locating one another, locating the position of the pod, searching for prey, and attracting mates. Every pod has a distinctive song that sets it apart from the others. These songs can be heard for not only hours, but also days (5)_______ miles of ocean.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 5.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. across.

Context: The sentence is talking about how whale songs can be heard over a long distance in the ocean.

Meaning of the words:

  • Although = used to show contrast.

  • Across = from one side to the other, over a distance.

  • Off = away from something.

  • Beside = next to, near.

Correct word: The correct word is across, because the sentence is describing how the whale’s songs travel over many miles of ocean.

Reason: “Across miles of ocean” makes sense as it shows the wide distance the sound can cover. The other words do not fit the meaning here.

Final Sentence: These songs can be heard for not only hours, but also days across miles of ocean.

Hence, the chosen option will be correct.