SSC Stenographer 2024 PYQ — Question 81

SSC Stenographer - 10/12/2024 (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM) • English • Q81

In the following passage some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Frogs are the amphibians. It indicates that they are (1)_______ of living both in water and on land. Frogs have long back legs that propel them into the air, making them excellent jumpers. A large portion of them have suckers on their fingers, which assist them with landing securely on tricky surfaces. They find quick bugs, with the (2)_______ of their long tacky tongues. Frogs do not all contain poison. When threatened by predators, some frogs use a venom that they have developed. The golden dart frog is the world’s most lethal frog. One frog’s skin has the potential to kill up to 1,000 people.
The normal frog contains a toxic substance, which it (3)_______ from its skin, when gone after. This poison affects both canines and felines. However, they rarely experience serious (4)______. Cane toads are extremely large toads that are laced with drugs. If taken, these drugs can result in hallucinations. Central and South America are home to the poison dart frogs. Because indigenous people use their toxic excretions to (5)______ the tips of arrows and blow darts, the frogs are frequently referred to as poison arrow frogs or poison dart frogs.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. 'assistance.'

The sentence reads:

'They find quick bugs, with the (2) _____ of their long tacky tongues.'

The phrase “with the assistance of” correctly describes how frogs use their sticky tongues to catch fast-moving insects. “Assistance” here means help or aid, which aligns with the context of frogs relying on their tongues. For example, sources confirm that frogs catch insects with their long, sticky tongues, using them as a key aid in foraging.

The other options don't fit:

encouragement – doesn't make sense in this context

backing – means support but is used metaphorically, not literally here

excuse – irrelevant