Solved UPSC CDS/OTA Question
A solved UPSC CDS/OTA PYQ - decoded step-by-step.
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Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Squirrels are (1) animals in the world. They have the (2) for rainy days. Autumn can be very entertaining for them. That is the time (3) the great harvest collection for their winter store. You can (4) here and there, collecting nuts of all sorts. Walnuts, beechnuts, chestnuts, dried berries. They are not fussy. Relentlessly, they run from their storage point, usually a tree hollow, to the vast amount of wild nuts to be found in the forest. These beautiful animals are house-proud. They take great pains to ensure that (5) and warm enough to tide them over the harsh winter. You (6) busily collecting soft pieces of bark, wood and leaves to line their nests. After all their (7), and when the first, cold hard frost arrives, they (8) inside their nests for the duration/rest of the cold spell. There, (9) till it is warm enough to bring out their stored food. Ah but then again, they are the most forgetful little animals, and it is not unusual to see squirrels (10) their hoards.
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'Knack of saving up for rainy days' is idiomatic.