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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 verb form.(2)

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

Bangalore Climate Verb Form Analysis

This question requires us to select the most appropriate verb form to fill in blank (2) within a given passage about Bangalore's climate. The focus is on ensuring correct grammar, specifically subject-verb agreement and tense.

Analyzing Blank (2) Sentence Context

The sentence containing blank (2) is presented as follows:

"During the early hours, a gauzy mist (2) ______ across the avenues, interweaving with the silhouettes of rain trees and colonial bungalows."

Our task is to find the verb that fits perfectly into this blank, making the sentence grammatically sound and contextually meaningful.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules for Blank (2)

To choose the correct verb form, we need to consider two key grammatical elements:

  • The Subject: In this sentence, the subject performing the action is "a gauzy mist". The article "a" and the noun "mist" indicate that the subject is singular.
  • The Tense: The introductory phrase "During the early hours" suggests an action that typically or habitually occurs in the morning. This points towards the necessity of using the simple present tense.

Evaluating Verb Options for Blank (2)

The core verb is "drift". Let's examine each option provided:

  • 1. $drift$: This is the base form of the verb. It is used for plural subjects in the present tense (e.g., "mists drift") or in commands/infinitives. It does not agree with the singular subject "mist".
  • 2. $drifting$: This is the present participle. It is used to form continuous tenses (e.g., "The mist is drifting") or as an adjective. It cannot stand alone as the main verb in this sentence structure.
  • 3. $drifts$: This is the third-person singular form of the verb in the simple present tense. It correctly matches the singular subject "mist" and fits the context of a habitual action occurring "during the early hours".
  • 4. $drifted$: This is the simple past tense form. While grammatically correct in a past context, the phrase "During the early hours" implies a general truth or a recurring event, making the present tense more suitable than the past tense here.

Conclusion for Blank (2)

Considering the singular subject "a gauzy mist" and the need for a simple present tense verb to describe a habitual action, the form $drifts$ is the grammatically correct choice.

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