CAT 2003 Slot 2 — VARC Question 6
Fill in the blanks in the passage with the most appropriate set of words from the options for each blank.
The best punctuation is that of which the reader is least conscious, for when punctuation, or lack of it, _____ itself, it is usually because it _____.
Answer & solution
obtruders, offends
- B
enjoins, fails
- C
conceals, recedes
- D
effaces, counts
The sentence has opposing clauses. If the reader is least conscious, then the punctuation is good, if there is lack of punctuation or more of it, then, it should make the reader take notice(or if it obstructs or obtrudes). That he or she would if it offends or is glaringly missing or present. That gives us our answer as choice 1.
To enjoin (option 2) is to forbid (does not fit the context).
Conceal (option3) or hide is not suitable either as if there is more or less, it would show and not hide. To efface is to wipe out. Punctuation does not wipe out itself! Obtrude is ‘to impose on others without insistence or invitation’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.