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Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate phrase:

The manager hired him purely _____, despite his lack of experience.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CHSL 2025 Tier 1 Question Paper (21-Nov-2025) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

on merit

The blank must hold a phrase that explains the basis on which the manager decided to hire him.

The clue lies in the contrast marker 'despite his lack of experience'. 'Despite' signals that he was chosen for a reason that outweighs his missing experience.

So the phrase should point to some genuine quality or worth other than experience that justified the appointment.

'On merit' means strictly on the basis of ability, talent or worth. It fits the contrast perfectly: he lacked experience, yet was hired because of his real ability.

'On the edge' describes being anxious or nervous and says nothing about the basis of selection.

'At all costs' means at any sacrifice, and 'by the book' means following rules strictly; neither explains why an inexperienced person would be chosen.

The key idea is matching an idiom to the logical contrast set up by 'despite'.

Therefore the most appropriate phrase is on merit.

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