SarkariPYQ

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 2

SSC GD Const 2025 (English) - 07 Feb 2025 - Shift 3 • English • Q2

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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.

Erosion of America's farmland by wind and water (1)._________ a problem since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands (2) __________  the plow in the 19th century. By the 1930s, more than 282 million acres of farmland were (3) ____________ by erosion. After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has (4) ________________ due to new demands placed (5) _____________ the land by heavy crop production.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 4.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

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

Context: The sentence says that after 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has still increased because of heavy crop production. This means the rate of erosion has become faster, not slower.

Meaning of the words:

  • Hindered: to slow down or stop progress.

  • Accelerated: to make something happen faster.

  • Discouraged: to make someone lose confidence or interest.

  • Delayed: to make something happen later than planned.

Correct word: The word “accelerated” fits best because it means the process of soil erosion has sped up again.

Reason: Despite conservation efforts, new agricultural demands have caused soil erosion to increase rapidly, so the correct word is “accelerated.”

Final Sentence: After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has accelerated due to new demands placed on the land by heavy crop production.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.