Inhaling the smoke from a burning ____________ could ____________ you quickly.
A. tire / tier
B. tire / tyre
C. tyre / tire
D. tyre / tier
GATE 2022 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium
Answer: C. tyre / tire - 'Inhaling the smoke from a burning tyre could tire you quickly.' Tyre = rubber wheel covering; tire = to exhaust.
Analyse the first blank: 'a burning ___': The word must be a noun that can be 'burning' (physically on fire). Options: tire (American spelling of tyre - physical object, can burn), tyre (British spelling of the rubber wheel covering - can burn), tier (a level/layer - not typically burned for smoke).
Analyse the second blank: 'could ___ you quickly': The word must be a verb meaning to exhaust or weaken. 'Tire' works perfectly: 'could tire you' = could exhaust you. 'Tyre' is a noun and cannot be used as a verb meaning to fatigue. 'Tier' also cannot function as a verb meaning to exhaust.
Match to the correct option: First blank = tyre, second blank = tire. This matches Option C: tyre / tire. Full sentence: 'Inhaling the smoke from a burning tyre could tire you quickly.'