Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
Gautam's new puppy is even ________ than the last one.

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

The sentence compares two distinct items: Gautam's 'new puppy' and 'the last one'.
The presence of the word 'than' is a key grammatical signal that a comparison is being made.
When comparing two nouns, the comparative degree of the adjective is required.
For the adjective 'charming', the correct comparative form is 'more charming'.

Option A: 'Most Charming' is the superlative degree. It is used to compare three or more items, not just two.
Option B: 'Charming' is the positive degree of the adjective. It describes a quality but does not make a comparison.
Option C: 'Very Charming' uses an intensifier ('very') with the positive degree. It strengthens the description but does not create the comparative form needed to work with 'than'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a grammar question, clear and precise communication is a critical skill in nursing. Using correct grammar ensures that patient notes, reports, and handovers are unambiguous and professional.
Accurate documentation prevents misunderstandings that could impact patient care. For example, describing a wound as 'larger than yesterday's measurement' is a correct comparative observation.
What if the sentence was 'Gautam's new puppy is the ________ of all.'? In that case, the correct answer would be 'most charming' because it's comparing one puppy to all others (a group of three or more).

How to Approach the Question

First, read the sentence and identify the core elements: 'new puppy' and 'the last one'.
Look for keywords that indicate the relationship between these elements. The word 'than' is a crucial clue.
Recognize that 'than' is used to make a comparison between two things.
Recall the grammatical rule that comparisons with 'than' require the comparative form of an adjective.
Evaluate the options to find the correct comparative form. For 'charming', it is 'more charming'.
Eliminate the other options: 'most charming' (superlative), 'charming' (positive), and 'very charming' (intensified positive).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 12 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.