SarkariPYQ

SSC CGL 2021 PYQ — Question 2

SSC CGL - 17 Aug 2021 - Shift 1 • English • Q2

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In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank.

Water, a substance composed of the chemical elements hydrogen and oxygen (1)______ in gaseous, liquid, and solid states. It is (2)______ of the most plentiful and essential (3)______ compounds. A tasteless and odourless liquid at room temperature, it has the important (4)______ to dissolve many other substances. Indeed, the (5)______ of water as a solvent is essential to living organisms.

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

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1 i.e ability.

The meaning of the given options are-

  • ability: possession of the means or skill to do something.
  • competence: the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
  • knack: an acquired or natural skill at doing something.
  • proficiency: a high degree of skill; expertise.

The paragraph has a positive and informative tone. 

The above given options are more or less the synonym of one another.

Clearly, the given statement talks about water's ability to dissolve other substances. With alternatives being synonyms of ability, it in itself will be the most appropriate option.

The correct sentence will be-

A tasteless and odourless liquid at room temperature, it has the important ability to dissolve many other substances.