Fill In The Blanks part – 13

1. The Allies _________ the war in 1945. [SSC CPO Tier II (26/07/2021)]

(a) won
(b) win
(c) have won
(d) were winning

Correct Answer: (a) won

Solution:The given sentence talks about a war that took place in the past(in 1945), so it must have a verb in the past form(won). Hence, 'won' is the most appropriate answer.

2. I request the favour of _____________ granting me two days' leave. [SSC CPO Tier II (26/07/2021)]

(a) your
(b) yours
(c) you
(d) yourself

Correct Answer: (a) your

Solution:'Your' is the second person possessive adjective that is used to describe something as belonging to you, for example, I wish I had your energy. However, 'your' is usually followed by a noun(including gerunds). Similarly, granting in the given sentence is a gerund. Hence, 'your' is the most appropriate answer.

3. I__________ something burning now. [SSC CPO 23/11/2020 (Morning)]

(a) smelt
(b) smell
(c) have been smelling
(d) have smelt

Correct Answer: (b) smell

Solution:Stative verbs are those verbs which express a state of condition. They do not refer to a physical action. Sense and emotions like hear, smell, see, love, hate etc are different types of stative verbs. However, these verbs can't be used in (-ing form) for example, Hear, Smell(Correct) and Hearing, Smelling (Incorrect). Hence, 'I smell something burning' will be the most appropriate answer.

4. She has inherited her fondness_________ tennis from her parents. [SSC CPO 23/11/2020 (Evening)]

(a) at
(b) to
(c) by
(d) for

Correct Answer: (d) for

Solution:'Fondness from somebody' and 'fondness for something' are the correct structure of the sentence. However, in the given question, she has fondness for tennis. Hence, 'for' will be the most appropriate answer.

5. ____________ ! What have you done to your hair? You are looking so odd. [SSC CPO 23/11/2020 (Evening)]

(a) Bother
(b) Goodness gracious
(c) Hurrah
(d) Bravo

Correct Answer: (b) Goodness gracious

Solution:Goodness gracious will be the most appropriate answer. It is an exclamatory expression which is used to show sudden surprise. In the given question, the narrator is surprised by the odd hair cut by his/her acquaintance.

6. ___________ of our success depends on our own efforts. [SSC CPO 24/11/2020 (Morning)]

(a) Less
(b) Much
(c) Few
(d) Many

Correct Answer: (b) Much

Solution:Few and many are used for countable nouns. But, Success is an uncountable noun. For uncountable nouns, we use 'much' like much of the work, much effort etc. Hence, much is the most appropriate answer.

7. __________of living life on his own terms, he made few compromises. [SSC CPO 24/11/2020 (Morning)]

(a) Desiring
(b) Desired
(c) Desire
(d) Desirous

Correct Answer: (d) Desirous

Solution:Desirous is an adjective which means having desire of something or being wishful for something. Hence, 'desirous of' will be the most appropriate answer.

8. ___________! What a frightening experience it was! [SSC CPO 24/11/2020 (Evening)]

(a) Oh
(b) Hurray
(c) Alas
(d) Bravo

Correct Answer: (a) Oh

Solution:Oh Alas used for showing sadness about something. Hurray used for expressing great pleasure, approval.

Bravo - a word that people shout to show that they have enjoyed something that somebody has done. However, in the given question, the exclamation "Oh!" will be the most appropriate answer because it is used to show a frightening/scary experience.

9. He was born in a business family and has a natural aptitude_________ business. [SSC CPO 24/11/2020 (Evening)]

(a) for
(b) at
(c) on
(d) to

Correct Answer: (a) for

Solution:"Aptitude for something" is the correct structure of the sentence. It means the ability or talent for something. For example, aptitude for mathematics, aptitude for learning etc. Hence, "aptitude for business" will be the most appropriate answer.

10. The wise try themselves __________the fools keep blaming their luck. [SSC CPO 24/11/2020 (Evening)]

(a) therefore
(b) whereas
(c) still
(d) whether

Correct Answer: (b) whereas

Solution:Whereas is a conjunction which is used for showing a fact that is different. For example, he eats meat, whereas she's a vegetarian. Similarly in this question, the wise improves and the fool blames his luck(different fact). Hence, whereas will be the most appropriate answer.