Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a very special molecule. It (1)__________________ as the code for all life on Earth, holding the cellular instructions to (2)______________ everything from a beetle to a human. Because DNA is (3)_________________ to each species, it’s like a product barcode in a supermarket. As animals and plants live their lives, they (4)________________ fragments of their DNA into their environment (5)_________________ dead skin, hair, saliva, scat, leaves or pollen. These traces make up environmental DNA. There’s enough DNA in water and even air to tell species apart.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. unique.
Context: The sentence is talking about DNA being different for every species, just like a product barcode. This means the word should express the idea of being special or one of a kind.
Meaning of the words:
Unique: means one of a kind; unlike anything else.
Usual: means something that happens often; normal.
Slight: means small in degree or amount.
Common: means shared by many; not rare.
Correct word: Unique
Reason: Since DNA is different for every species, it cannot be common, usual, or slight. The only word that fits the meaning of “different and special for each species” is unique.
Final Sentence: Because DNA is unique to each species, it’s like a product barcode in a supermarket.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 3