In the given text, the blanks are numbered (i)-(iv). Select the best match for all the blanks. Prof. P (i) merely a man who narrated funny stories. (ii) in his blackest moments he was capable of self-deprecating humor. Prof. Q (iii) a man who hardly narrated funny stories. (iv) in his blackest moments was he able to find humor. A. (i) was (ii) Even (iii) was (iv) Only B. (i) wasn't (ii) Even (iii) was (iv) Only C. (i) was (ii) Even (iii) wasn't (iv) Only D. (i) was (ii) Even (iii) was (iv) Even
GATE 2024 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium
Answer: C. (i) was (ii) Even (iii) wasn't (iv) Only
- Determine (i): Prof. P's relationship to funny stories: The word 'merely' suggests understatement — Prof. P was not just a funny-story teller but more. So (i) = 'was' makes sense: 'P was merely a man who narrated...' sets up that he was at least that, and even more.
- Determine (ii): Adverb for Prof. P's blackest moments: 'Even in his blackest moments he was capable' — 'Even' is correct because it expresses that humor was present in the most unlikely (darkest) moments.
- Determine (iii): Prof. Q's relationship to funny stories: To contrast with Prof. P ('was'), Prof. Q should be 'wasn't': 'Q wasn't a man who hardly narrated funny stories' would be double-negative. Actually 'Q wasn't merely... funny stories' creates direct contrast: Q didn't even reach the baseline P set. Hence (iii) = 'wasn't'.
- Determine (iv): Adverb for Prof. Q's blackest moments: 'Only in his blackest moments was he able to find humor' — the inverted syntax 'was he able' signals a restrictive condition. 'Only' is correct: humor came to Q only at the darkest times, opposite of P's 'even' (humor present even at darkest).