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.

The last one of this long procession (1)_________________silent men and women was a little wizened old man. Even he (2)_________________ a load of two baskets, slung on a pole on his shoulder. (3)_________________ he kept a folded quilt and a cauldron. In the other basket, there seemed to be a quilt, (4)_________________ ragged and patched, but still clean. There was no one with (5)_________________.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. There.
Context: The sentence talks about what the old man kept in one of the baskets. The correct word should introduce the existence of objects in the basket.
Meaning of the words:
That: refers to a specific thing already mentioned.
This: refers to something near or being pointed out.
Than: is used for comparison.
There: indicates the existence or presence of something.
Correct word: There
Reason: The sentence needs a word to indicate the presence of a folded quilt and a cauldron in the basket. “There” correctly shows that these items existed in the basket. Other options do not fit grammatically or contextually.
Final Sentence: There he kept a folded quilt and a cauldron.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 3