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SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 7

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level 2022 - 10 Feb 2022 - Shift 2 • English • Q7

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In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and
select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
When trees are illegally or irresponsibly cut, forest ecosystems are (1)______. Their ability to
store carbon, shelter wildlife, filter water, and to provide food, products, and jobs for
(2)______ is compromised. Global forest loss also leads to more greenhouse gases in the
(3)______. This is much more than what comes from all cars, trucks, trains, planes and ships
in the world. But when forests thrive, they absorb carbon dioxide and (4)______ down climate
change. Protecting forests does much more than just keep trees standing because forests are
the (5)______ of the planet and serve as the home, market and apothecary of people living on
it.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 4

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. slows.

Context: The sentence is: “But when forests thrive, they absorb carbon dioxide and (4)______ down climate change.” We are talking about what forests do: absorb carbon dioxide and do something to climate change.

Meaning of the words:

  • Slows – present tense singular verb (used with 'it')

  • Slow – base form or plural verb (used with 'they')

  • Are slowing – present continuous tense

  • Slowing – present participle or noun form

Correct word: Slows – because the subject of the sentence is “forests”, and here we are using compound verbs.
“they absorb … and slows…” is incorrect.
But actually, the sentence is:
“they absorb carbon dioxide and slow down climate change” — so the correct verb must match “they”, which is plural.
So the correct verb is “slow”, not “slows”.

Correction: Apologies — after reviewing again, the correct subject is "they" (forests), and it is plural. So the correct verb should be "slow" (not "slows").

So the correct answer is option 2, i.e. slow.

Reason: In compound verb constructions with the same subject (forests), the verb should match the subject.
“they absorb carbon dioxide and slow down climate change.”
We do not use ‘slows’ with a plural subject.

Final Sentence: But when forests thrive, they absorb carbon dioxide and slow down climate change.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.