Question:
In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the
four alternatives.
Science is all about details, precision, accuracy, and it is ____________ 99 per cent perspiration. The beauty and joy in doing science lies in those rare moments
_____________ the pieces of a puzzle magically come together. To adapt from Shelley, the shadow indeed becomes ____________ important than the substance. I
suppose one could put some of this together and disseminate a simplified, sanitised version to the public but in the end, science is a ___________ individualistic,
personal affair. Most honest scientists will tell you that they are ever so grateful that they are _____________ by their governments to do something that they would
have done anyhow for free.
science lies in those rare moments _____________ the pieces of a puzzle
In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the
four alternatives.
Science is all about details, precision, accuracy, and it is ____________ 99 per cent perspiration. The beauty and joy in doing science lies in those rare moments
_____________ the pieces of a puzzle magically come together. To adapt from Shelley, the shadow indeed becomes ____________ important than the substance. I
suppose one could put some of this together and disseminate a simplified, sanitised version to the public but in the end, science is a ___________ individualistic,
personal affair. Most honest scientists will tell you that they are ever so grateful that they are _____________ by their governments to do something that they would
have done anyhow for free.
science lies in those rare moments _____________ the pieces of a puzzle
Options:
- then
- than
- when
- so
- then
- than
- when
- so
Correct Answer: c)
Explanation:
Detailed Explanation:
The correct alternative to fill the blank is c) when.
- Grammar Rule (Relative Adverbs):
- The noun phrase preceding the blank is “those rare moments”, which clearly denotes a point in time.
- The relative adverb used to introduce a relative clause modifying a time expression is “when” (e.g., “moments when…”).
- Sentence in context: “The beauty and joy in doing science lies in those rare moments when the pieces of a puzzle magically come together.”
- Why other options are incorrect:
- then: An adverb of time indicating sequence; it cannot function as a relative conjunction to connect clauses.
- than: A conjunction used exclusively in comparative degree constructions (e.g., more than).
- so: A conjunction indicating cause/result or purpose, which does not fit a time-qualifying clause.
Hence, Option c) when is correct.
विस्तृत व्याख्या:
रिक्त स्थान की पूर्ति के लिए सही विकल्प c) when है।
- व्याकरणिक नियम (Relative Adverb):
- रिक्त स्थान से पहले आने वाला संज्ञा पद “those rare moments” (वे दुर्लभ क्षण) है, जो स्पष्ट रूप से समय को दर्शाता है।
- समय सूचक संज्ञा के बाद आने वाले आश्रित उपवाक्य (Relative clause) को जोड़ने के लिए Relative Adverb “when” (जब) का प्रयोग किया जाता है।
- संदर्भ में वाक्य: “The beauty and joy in doing science lies in those rare moments when the pieces of a puzzle magically come together.” (विज्ञान करने का सौंदर्य और आनंद उन दुर्लभ क्षणों में निहित है जब किसी पहेली के टुकड़े जादुई रूप से जुड़ जाते हैं।)
- अन्य विकल्प क्यों गलत हैं:
- then: कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (तब/फिर); यह उपवाक्यों को जोड़ने वाले संयोजक का कार्य नहीं कर सकता।
- than: केवल तुलना दर्शाने के लिए प्रयुक्त होता है (जैसे: more than)।
- so: परिणाम या उद्देश्य दर्शाने वाला संयोजक है।
अतः सही उत्तर विकल्प c) when है।