SarkariPYQ

SSC CGL 2024 PYQ — Question 21

SSC CGL - 18 Sep 2024 - Shift 3 • English • Q21

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

According to a poll conducted in 2018–19 by an online internship and training platform, (1)__________ number of businesses actively (2)__________ intern profiles has increased over the previous five years. This study demonstrates that India received 80% more internship applications in 2018, with 2.2 million applications (3)________ 1.27 million in 2017. The rise was influenced (4)__________ part by an increase in the number of industries seeking fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to improve (5)__________ on existing projects. Obtaining an internship prior to entering the job market, which was once viewed as a Western concept, is quickly gaining steam in Indian workplaces.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. the.

Context: We are required to select the appropriate article to complete the sentence grammatically and contextually. Since the noun 'number' refers to this specific data, the definite article is required.

Analysis of the Given Options:

Few – Means 'not many'; used for general count but not suitable before 'number' in a specific context.
A – Indefinite article used when referring to something non-specific; doesn’t suit a data-based context.
The – Definite article; refers to something already known or specific, such as a number from a survey.
An – Indefinite article used before vowel sounds, doesn't fit the context of specificity.

Correct Word: the

Reason: In this sentence, the word 'number' refers to a specific figure revealed by the poll. In such cases, we use the definite article 'the' to point to this known quantity. 

Hence, the chosen option is correct.