SarkariPYQ

SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 88

SSC MTS - 29/10/2024 - (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) • English • Q88

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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.

There lived in a town in Russia a bootmaker named Martin. He lived in a small room, half sunk _____1_____ the level of the street, with one window which ______2_____ on the street. He had lived in the same room for many years and knew many people. There was _____3_____ a pair of boots in the town and in the country for many miles _____4_____ that had not once or twice passed _____5_____ his hands.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

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

Context: The sentence conveys that there was rarely any pair of boots in the town or nearby that had not passed through Martin’s hands.

Meaning of the words:

  • Now – refers to the present time, incorrect here.

  • Hardly – means rarely or almost not, correct in this context.

  • Always – means all the time, opposite of the intended meaning.

  • Besides – means in addition to, incorrect here.

Correct word: 'Hardly' correctly conveys that almost every pair of boots had passed through his hands.

Final Sentence: There was hardly a pair of boots in the town and in the country for many miles that had not once or twice passed his hands.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.