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

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 widespread use of plastic has become a significant environmental concern due to its impact on ecosystems and human health. Plastic products, (1)__________ are often designed for single use, contribute to massive amounts of waste that persist in landfills and oceans (2)__________ hundreds of years. This persistent waste not only clogs waterways and harms marine life but also breaks down into microplastics that enter the food chain, posing risks to (3)__________ wildlife and humans. The (4)__________ of plastic is overshadowed by its long-term environmental costs, making it imperative to explore sustainable alternatives and reduce plastic consumption. Addressing plastic usage requires (5)__________ collective effort to adopt more eco-friendly practices, support recycling initiatives and invest in innovative materials that minimize environmental impact.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. since.

Context: The sentence indicates the starting point of time over which waste has persisted in landfills and oceans.

Meaning of the words:
across: spatial distribution, incorrect
since: indicates time from a particular point, correct
among: indicates a group, incorrect
for: indicates duration, less precise than “since” here

Correct word: since

Reason: “Since hundreds of years” expresses that the waste has persisted from a past point in time until now.

Final Sentence: Plastic products contribute to massive amounts of waste that persist in landfills and oceans since hundreds of years.

Hence, the chosen option will be correct.

SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 4