GATE 2024 PH – Question 6
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.
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Correct answer: (B) (i) wasn't (ii) Even (iii) was (iv) Only
Explanation
Read the logic of each pair of sentences.
**Prof. P:** "Prof. P ____(i)____ merely a man who narrated funny stories. ____(ii)____ in his blackest moments he was capable of self-deprecating humor."
- The sentence says there was more to P than telling stories, so (i) is **wasn't** ("wasn't merely a man who...").
- The second sentence adds a further point: "**Even** in his blackest moments he was capable of self-deprecating humor." So (ii) is **Even**.
**Prof. Q:** "Prof. Q ____(iii)____ a man who hardly narrated funny stories. ____(iv)____ in his blackest moments was he able to find humor."
- (iii) is **was** ("was a man who hardly narrated funny stories").
- The inverted word order "was he able" is used after a limiting adverb: "**Only** in his blackest moments was he able to find humor." So (iv) is **Only**.
The sequence **wasn't, Even, was, Only** is option B.