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Question

In the following question, a sentence with a blank is given, followed by five words labeled (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5).
Choose the word that fills the blank appropriately in the context of the passage. 
Often lauded as the "Pensioner's Paradise," Bangalore's climate (1) ______ a peculiar amalgamation of temperate breezes, erratic showers, and sun-drenched tranquility. During the early hours, a gauzy mist (2) ______ across the avenues, interweaving with the silhouettes of rain trees and colonial bungalows. By midday, however, the capricious temperament of the city asserts itself; cumulus clouds burgeon with astonishing alacrity, heralding brief but truculent showers. The fragrance of petrichor that (3) ______ earthiness, ascends from the soil, an olfactory benediction. Despite Bangalore's once-famed equanimity, urban sprawl has initiated climatic aberrations; seasons blend into each other with an almost imperceptible (4) desuetude of traditional patterns.
Evenings in Bangalore are imbued with a languorous coolness, suffused by whispering breezes that would had it not been for pollution, might have carried the pristine scent of blooming cassias. As the city grapples with its evolving climatic identity, one wonders whether the mellifluous interludes of sun, mist, and rain shall remain a (5) vestige or a continuum.

Choose correct descriptive phrase:(3)

This question was previously asked in
SSC JHT Paper 1 2025 Question Paper (12-Aug-2025)
The correct answer is
hauntingly resinous

Bangalore Climate MCQ: Petrichor Fragrance Analysis

This question asks us to select the most suitable descriptive phrase for a blank in a sentence that describes Bangalore's climate and the scent of petrichor. The goal is to choose the word or phrase that best fits the context of the passage.

Petrichor Fragrance and Earthiness Connection

The specific sentence we are focusing on is: "The fragrance of petrichor that (3) ______ earthiness, ascends from the soil, an olfactory benediction." We need to decide what fills blank (3) appropriately.

Petrichor is the unique scent that arises when rain falls on dry soil. It is commonly associated with a fresh, earthy aroma.

Evaluating the Correct Descriptive Phrase: "hauntingly resinous"

The provided correct answer is the descriptive phrase: hauntingly resinous.

  • The adverb "hauntingly" suggests that the scent is potent, memorable, and deeply affecting, perhaps evoking feelings of nostalgia.
  • The adjective "resinous" points to a smell reminiscent of resin, which is often linked to trees. Considering that the passage mentions "rain trees" earlier, it's plausible that the author is describing a complex aroma where the primary earthy note of petrichor is intertwined with the scents of surrounding vegetation, like resinous trees.

Therefore, when this phrase is placed in the blank, it suggests that the petrichor's fragrance carries an "earthiness" which itself is described as "hauntingly resinous". This interpretation means the scent is not just earthy, but has a deep, memorable quality potentially mixed with tree-like aromas, fitting the description of an "olfactory benediction" – a pleasing scent blessing.

Why Other Options Are Not Suitable

Let's examine why the other options are less fitting for this blank:

  • "oddly antiseptic": An antiseptic smell is clean and sterile, contrasting sharply with the rich, organic scent of petrichor.
  • "refreshingly arid": Petrichor is intrinsically linked to rain and moisture. Describing the accompanying earthiness as "arid" (dry) creates a contradiction. While "refreshing" might fit, "arid" makes this option unsuitable.
  • "pungently sulfurous": This describes a sharp, unpleasant smell often associated with sulfur (like rotten eggs), which is not characteristic of the pleasant petrichor scent.

Given the context and the evocative language used in the passage about Bangalore's climate, the phrase "hauntingly resinous" offers the most fitting poetic interpretation of the petrichor's scent associated with the local environment.

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