SarkariPYQ

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 3

SSC GD Const 2025 (English) - 12 Feb 2025 - Shift 3 • English • Q3

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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.

The farmers in our village were fed up with the birds that used to eat ____[A]____ all their harvested grains. They tried to take turns watching, ____[B]____ still, they were not able to save the crops. One of the older men in our village suggested that we should build a scarecrow. The idea was well-received. The face of the scarecrow was made using an earthen pot, while bundles of straw ____[C]____ to create its arms. Finally, it was accessorised with a hat and a coat to perfect ____[D]____ illusion as a man. It was a ____[E]____ coat that used to belong to a beggar who stayed near the temple.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank marked [C].

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. were used.

Context: The sentence describes how the bundles of straw were employed to create the scarecrow's arms. The action is in the past, so past tense is required.

Meaning of the words:

has been used: Present perfect tense; implies ongoing relevance, not suitable for a completed past action.
were used: Past tense; correctly describes the completed action in the past.
are used: Present tense; incorrect as the action already happened.
had been used: Past perfect; unnecessary here as no earlier past action is being referred to.

Correct word: were used

Reason: The creation of the scarecrow is a past event, so simple past tense “were used” fits the context.

Final sentence: The face of the scarecrow was made using an earthen pot, while bundles of straw were used to create its arms.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.