SarkariPYQ

SSC CGL 2024 PYQ — Question 23

SSC CGL - 12 Sep 2024 - Shift 3 • English • Q23

Back to paper

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

Gandhi, (1)_________ father of the Indian nation, practiced ‘ahimsa’ in his personal and political life. He firmly believed that non-violence is not meant merely for monks, saints, and priests; it is for commoners too. If violence is the law of the (2)_______-beasts, non-violence is the law of the civilised human species. ‘The spirit of the brute is inactive, and so he knows no law; he knows only physical might. The dignity of man requires obedience to a higher law, to the strength of the spirit,’ Gandhi said. Ahimsa, to Gandhiji, meant that one should love all; even (3)________ enemies. And the expression of love, ahimsa, should be in such a manner that it impresses itself indelibly upon the so-called enemy, and then the enemy must return that love. It is a practically (4)________ philosophy. Gandhi was realistic; he believed that non-violence provides the fullest protection to one’s self-respect and sense of humour. It won’t work in the defence of (5)_______ gains and immoral acts. He called his marches off when people indulged in violence during protests for India’s freedom. His faith in ‘ahimsa’ played an influential role in enabling the creation of an independent India in 1947, with minimum bloodshed, breaking the shackles imposed by the British.

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

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. one’s.

Context:The sentence conveys Gandhiji’s belief that non-violence (ahimsa) involves loving everyone — even your enemies. Since the subject of the sentence is “one” (as in “one should love all”), the possessive pronoun referring back to that subject should also be consistent with it.

Meaning of the words:
Her: Possessive pronoun for a female subject — too specific and not universal.
Its: Possessive pronoun for things or animals — not appropriate here.
One’s: Possessive pronoun used when the subject is “one”; conveys a general or universal idea.
One: Indefinite pronoun used as a subject, not suitable as a possessive.

Correct word: One’s

Reason:The phrase is part of a universal principle. Since the sentence begins with “one should love all,” the logical possessive for “enemies” is “one’s enemies.” This ensures grammatical agreement and maintains the general tone of the sentence, as Gandhi was referring to everyone in general, not a specific person.

Hence the chosen option is correct.