SarkariPYQ

SSC Stenographer 2024 PYQ — Question 56

SSC Stenographer - 11/12/2024 (12:30 PM to 2:30 PM) • English • Q56

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.
Centuries ago, Aryabhata, one of the most famous Indian mathematicians and astronomers (1)__________ the concept of zero, the base of the present (2)_______ system. With time, zero became a stepping stone to (3)_______ simplified computations, (4)______ the ways for development of algebra, algorithms and calculus, three pillars of modern mathematics, while eventually laying the (5)______ for computers.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank 3.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. much.

The phrase here is 'a stepping stone to (3)_______ simplified computations'.

The correct collocation is 'much simplified computations', meaning computations that are greatly simplified.

Much is used here as an intensifier before a past participle/adjective ('simplified') to show a high degree.

Why not the others?

scarcely – Means “barely” or “almost not,” which would give the opposite meaning.

many – Used with countable nouns, but “simplified computations” is not countable in this sense.

sadly – Means “unfortunately,” which is irrelevant to the positive achievement being described.