SSC CHSL 2024 PYQ — Question 8

SSC CHSL - 03 July 2024 - Shift 3 • English • Q8

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 tuatara, which lives on New Zealand's islands, is affectionately known as Living fossil. It is called that because it is the only (1)_____ reptile in a group of reptiles that dates back about 220 million years to the time of the dinosaurs. The colour of the tuatara is grey or olive green. It (2)______ to a length of around 60 cm. The fact that this lizard has three eyes is its most (3)_______ feature. The pineal eye is the name given to the cone-shaped third eye. This eye is in a space between the brain and head. It has an eyelid over the third eye, which closes on a horizontal level. The tuatara has teeth that are (4)_______ from those of other reptiles. The lower jaw has only one row of teeth, while the upper jaw has two rows. The tuatara is most active at night. It eats the eggs of birds, frogs, rats and insects. A tuatara's average lifespan is less than 77 years, but some species can live up to 100 years. In the spring, the female tuatara lays 8 to 15 eggs. These eggs are (5)______ during summer.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. distinct.

"Distinct" is the best choice because it means clearly different or unique, which fits the context of comparing the tuatara's teeth to other reptiles.

The other options are less suitable: "separate" implies physically apart, "discrete" refers to being individually separate but not necessarily unique, and "sharp" describes the nature of the teeth, not their comparison.