Question

    In the sentence, certain words are in bold and numbered

    from A to E, which are the possible pairs to be interchanged. Choose the pair(s) of words which need to be interchanged to make the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful. Despite this  (A) unidentified  and the efforts of thousands of scientists working to  (B) ward  off dangerous new  (C) outbreaks , the coronavirus behind COVID-19 was  (D) network  when it launched into an  (E) unprepared  world at the end of 2019. 
    A B-C Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B D-E Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C A-D Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D A-C Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E None of these Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    (A) unidentified and “despite this unidentified” → awkward/incomplete. (B) ward off → correct (means prevent). (C) outbreaks → fits well. (D) network → wrong here; “was network” makes no sense. (E) unprepared → perfectly placed. Revised sentence: Despite this network and the efforts of thousands of scientists working to ward off dangerous new outbreaks, the coronavirus behind COVID-19 was unidentified when it launched into an unprepared world...

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