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SSC CHSL 2024 PYQ — Question 21

SSC CHSL - 01 July 2024 - Shift 4 • English • Q21

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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.

During the days of slavery, there lived (1)_____ very hard-working slave. One day, (2)_____ freedom, he ran away from his masters house. As he passed a forest, he saw a lion (3)____ with pain, for a huge thorn had pierced its paw. The slave felt sorry for the lion and took out the thorn gently. The grateful lion licked the slaves hand. But just then, both of (4)_____ were captured by the soldiers. The king ordered, “Let the runaway slave (5)_____ thrown in front of a hungry lion.” But, when the slave was thrown in front of the lion, the lion licked him and quietly sat beside him. The amazed king asked the reason. The slave told the king everything. The king pardoned the slave. The lion was also freed and sent to the forest.

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

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

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

In the context of the sentence, "a" is used to refer to a single, unspecified instance of a noun.

"A" is an indefinite article used before a singular, countable noun to introduce it. In this case, it is used to introduce a singular noun "slave" in a general sense. The sentence talks about any one of such slaves, not a specific one already known to the reader.

The other options are incorrect because:

"the": This is a definite article used to refer to a specific noun known to the reader. Since the passage doesn't specify which particular slave is being talked about, "the" would not be appropriate here.

"an": This is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. "Slave" starts with a consonant sound, so "an" would not be appropriate.