SarkariPYQ

SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 89

SSC MTS - 16/10/2024 - (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM) • English • Q89

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.

She went on a quest for ancient things ___(1)____ could have a soul of their own, something ___(2)___ Aladdin's lamp that was home to a genie. She searched flea markets, met with art dealers and even went to excavation sites. She ___(3)__ searching for something that would have seen some ancient history when an ___(4)___, ___(5)___, ___(6)____ apothecary table caught her attention. It was perhaps owned by a __(7)____, ___(8)___, __(9)____ woman who was a wise medic but was deemed a witch.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blanks numbered 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. antique; heavy; chestnut brown.

Context: The sentence describes an apothecary table with three qualities – its age (antique), weight (heavy), and color (chestnut brown). The blank must be filled with the adjectives in the most natural and grammatically correct order.

Meaning of the words:

  • Antique – very old and valuable.

  • Heavy – having great weight.

  • Chestnut brown – a rich reddish-brown color.

Correct word: antique; heavy; chestnut brown

Reason:

  1. The article before the blanks is “an”, so the first adjective must begin with a vowel sound. “Antique” fits, while “heavy” and “chestnut” do not.

  2. Standard adjective order in English places opinion/age → size/weight → color. Thus, “antique” (age) comes before “heavy” (weight), and “chestnut brown” (color) naturally comes last.

  3. Therefore, the most natural and grammatically correct sequence is: antique, heavy, chestnut brown.

Final Sentence: She … when an antique, heavy, chestnut brown apothecary table caught her attention.

Hence, the chosen option will be correct.