Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank No. 1.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and
select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
A woman has been called a hero after fighting a mountain lion that (1) ______ her five-yearold son. She dragged her little (2) ______ away from the big cat and beat it with (3) ______
fists in her garden. The boy had bites (4) ______ cuts to his head and body. He is now in a
local (5) ______. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. attacked.

Context: The entire narrative is in past tense, so the verb should match accordingly.

Meaning of the words:
Attacked – Past tense of "attack"; to physically assault.
Is attaching – Present continuous; irrelevant.
Attacking – Present participle.
Attack – Base form; doesn’t fit.

Correct word: Attacked

Reason: The past tense verb "attacked" maintains consistency with the narrative style and fits the action described.

Final Sentence: after fighting a mountain lion that attacked her five-year-old son.

Hence the chosen option is correct.

SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 5