Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank No.2

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

Gabriella Montez was comfortably curled up in an overstuffed chair in the sitting area. She was (1) _________ the peace and quiet at home - everyone else was (2) ________ at the party - and had totally lost (3) __________ in a book which was the best she had (4) _________ read and she couldn’t wait to get (5) _______the end. However, before she set her eyes (6) ________ the next page, the book was (7) ________ right out of her hands, and she (8) __________ at her mother standing over her. “Gabby, it’s New Year’s Eve,” she said. “(9) __________ reading!” she snapped at her daughter. “But, mum, I’m almost done,” Gabriella (10) __________.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. already.

Let's see the meaning of the given words:-

before- during the period of time preceding a particular event or time.
already- before or by now or the time in question.
once- on one occasion or for one time only.
earlier- happening or done before the usual or expected time.

As per the context of the sentence, everyone had reached the party, by then she was reading the book. Therefore, the adverb 'already' is the correct choice here.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2 i.e. already.

SSC CGL 2020 PYQ — Question 195