SarkariPYQ

SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 8

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level 2022 - 11 Feb 2022 - Shift 1 • English • Q8

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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.

Oxygen fuels our living processes. It contracts our muscles, helps our cells to work, grow and regenerate, (1)______ our brains, calms our nerves, helps the heart to pump, fights infection and (2)______ immunity," says Dr Narendra Nath Jena, Director, Institute of Emergency Medicine, MMH R Centre, Madurai. Once air enters the nose or mouth, it gets humidified and reaches (3)______ alveoli. The alveoli are tiny air sacs that help to (4)______ oxygen and transfer it into the blood stream and also to pull out the carbon dioxide and push it out of the lungs. COVID-19 destroys (5)______ alveoli by thickening the walls so gas exchange becomes difficult.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. the.

Context: The sentence talks about how air reaches the alveoli after entering the body. The word “alveoli” refers to specific parts of the lungs, which are known and definite in this context.

Meaning of the words:

  • A – used before a non-specific singular noun.

  • An – used before a non-specific singular noun starting with a vowel sound.

  • Some – used for indefinite quantity or plural nouns when the reference is not specific.

  • The – used when referring to specific or already known nouns.

Correct word: The word “alveoli” is a specific plural noun. We already know that the air is going to a known part of the lungs. So, we use “the” to refer to these specific alveoli that are part of our respiratory system.

Reason: We are talking about the known and definite parts of the lungs where gas exchange takes place. That’s why the definite article “the” is most suitable here.

Final Sentence: Once air enters the nose or mouth, it gets humidified and reaches the alveoli.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.