SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 3

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 volume of tea imports into the Colonies rose _____1______ a very fast rate in the four years ________2_______ up to the Boston Tea Party. They went from 55 tonnes in 1770, which was close to the amount _______3_______ in the harbour, to 370 tonnes the year the tea was dumped. This was an increase of almost seven times. The population of the Colonies was about 2 million people in 1770 and didn’t _______4_______ much in that four-year period. Basic economics tells us this _______5_______ increase in supply without more customers meant the price of tea had to fall.