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Question

Direction: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

Colonialism had a great impact on the lives of the aboriginal Australians who were eventually ______ (1) ______ by the whites with all power and privilege. The colonisers turned their land into rubbish pits and ______ (2) ______ sites for their own betterment. The aborigines were often ______ (3) ______ as sub-humans with low status and dirty habits. The whites not only displaced the tribes off their homeland but also ______ (4) ______ the beauty and balance of the natural world. An increase in deforestation and destruction of traditional land led ______ (5) ______ like emu, eagle, and kangaroo, among many others to dwindle over time.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

perceived

The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 in the given passage. Let's look at the sentence containing the blank:

"The aborigines were often ______ (3) ______ as sub-humans with low status and dirty habits."

This sentence describes how the aboriginal Australians were viewed or regarded by the colonizers. We need a word that means 'seen', 'considered', or 'regarded' in a particular way.

Analysing the Options for Blank 3

Let's examine each option to see which one best fits the context of the sentence and the overall passage about the treatment of aboriginal Australians during colonialism.

  • Option 1: created
  • The word 'created' means to bring something into existence. The sentence is talking about how the aborigines were thought of, not how they were brought into existence. Therefore, 'created' does not fit the meaning of the sentence.
  • Option 2: perceived
  • The word 'perceived' means to understand or interpret something in a particular way; to regard someone or something as. If someone is 'perceived as sub-human', it means they are viewed or regarded as sub-human. This meaning perfectly matches the context of the sentence, describing how the colonizers saw the aboriginal people.
  • Option 3: received
  • The word 'received' means to be given something or to accept something. The sentence is not about the aborigines receiving something; it's about how they were characterized by others. Therefore, 'received' is not appropriate here.
  • Option 4: led
  • The word 'led' means to guide or be in charge of, or to cause something to happen. It does not fit the context of describing how someone is viewed or thought of by others. The aborigines were not 'led as sub-humans'.

Determining the Best Fit for Blank 3

Based on the analysis of the options, the word that means 'regarded as' or 'viewed as' is 'perceived'. The sentence explains how the colonizers saw or perceived the aborigines – as sub-humans with low status and dirty habits. Therefore, 'perceived' is the most appropriate word to fill blank number 3.

Let's read the sentence with 'perceived' filled in:

"The aborigines were often perceived as sub-humans with low status and dirty habits."

This makes complete sense in the context of the passage describing the negative impact of colonialism on aboriginal Australians.

Option Analysis for Blank 3
Option Meaning Fit in Sentence Reasoning
created Brought into existence Does not fit Sentence is about perception, not creation.
perceived Regarded as; viewed as Fits well Describes how aborigines were seen by colonizers.
received Given; accepted Does not fit Sentence is about characterization by others.
led Guided; caused Does not fit Not related to how they were viewed.

Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary in Context

Key Terms from the Passage
Term Meaning in Context
Colonialism Control by one power over a dependent area or people.
Aboriginal Australians Indigenous people of mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Perceived Understood or interpreted in a particular way; regarded as.
Sub-humans A term used to describe people considered to be less than fully human.
Displaced Forced to leave their home or area.
Dwindle Diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength.

Additional Information: Impact of Colonialism on Indigenous Peoples

The passage highlights some devastating effects of colonialism on indigenous populations, using the example of aboriginal Australians. These impacts often included:

  • Loss of Land: Indigenous peoples were often forcibly removed from their ancestral lands, which were then used for colonial purposes (like agriculture, mining, or settlement).
  • Social and Cultural Disruption: Traditional ways of life, social structures, languages, and cultural practices were suppressed or destroyed. Indigenous people were often treated as inferior.
  • Economic Exploitation: Indigenous labor and resources were often exploited for the benefit of the colonizers.
  • Environmental Damage: Colonial practices often led to significant environmental degradation, impacting traditional hunting grounds, water sources, and ecosystems that indigenous peoples depended on.
  • Health Impacts: Introduction of new diseases, changes in diet, and harsh living conditions often led to decline in the indigenous population.
  • Loss of Power and Privilege: As mentioned in the passage, indigenous people were disempowered and denied rights and privileges enjoyed by the colonizers.

Understanding the historical context of colonialism helps in interpreting the language used in the passage, such as describing aborigines as 'perceived as sub-humans'.

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Similar Questions

  1. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.

  2. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.

  3. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.

  4. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.

  5. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.

  6. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.

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Important Questions from Cloze Test

  1. What would come in blank space (1)?

  2. What would come in blank space (2)?

  3. What would come in blank space (3)?

  4. What would come in blank space (4)?

  5. What would come in blank space (5)?

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