SarkariPYQ

SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 88

SSC MTS - 14/10/2024 - (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM) • English • Q88

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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.

Though people are becoming health-conscious these days, (1)________ simple lifestyle habits they are prone to fatal diseases. (2)________ a new study published in ‘The Journal of the American College of Cardiology’, (3)________ food more sparingly is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure , and ischemic heart disease. A significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, is demonstrated to be correlated (4)________ high sodium intake. As per the research, a person’s individual sodium intake over time may be predicted by how (5)____ they salt their food. It is found that people who do not put a little additional salt to their food very often had a much lower risk of heart disease event regardless of lifestyle factors and pre-existing disease.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

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

Context:
The sentence talks about the act of adding salt to food and its link to lower risk of heart disease.

Meaning of the words:

  • salt – base verb form, does not fit here because the sentence needs a noun/gerund.

  • salted – past participle/adjective, incorrect in this context.

  • salting – gerund form, represents the action of adding salt, fits perfectly.

  • salt with – grammatically incorrect here.

Correct word:
salting is correct because the sentence requires a gerund (action noun) to act as the subject of the passive clause 'is linked to…'.

Reason:
The sentence is making a general statement about a study. In English, when the action itself is the subject of a clause, we use the -ing form (gerund).

Final Sentence:
According to a new study published in ‘The Journal of the American College of Cardiology’, salting food more sparingly is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.

Hence, the chosen option will be correct.