Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The ________ achievement of Tarun's career was winning the Nobel Prize.

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

'Greatest' is the superlative form of the adjective 'great'.
Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest).
The sentence compares one specific achievement (winning the Nobel Prize) against all other achievements in a career, thus requiring the superlative form to denote it as the highest one.

Option A: This is the comparative degree. Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between two objects (e.g., larger, smaller, faster, higher).
Option B: This is a grammatically incorrect formation. For one-syllable adjectives, the comparative degree is formed by adding '-er', not by using the word 'more'.
Option D: This is a grammatically incorrect formation. For one-syllable adjectives, the superlative degree is formed by adding '-est', not by using the word 'most'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Degrees of Comparison (Adjectives) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Clear and precise communication is a critical skill for nurses. Using correct grammar in patient documentation, hand-off reports, and communication with the healthcare team prevents ambiguity and potential errors.
Accurate language ensures that the severity and nature of patient conditions are understood correctly, leading to appropriate and timely care.
What if? - If the sentence were simply stating a fact without comparison, the positive form would be used: 'Winning the Nobel Prize was a great achievement.'.

How to Approach the Question

Read the sentence carefully to understand its meaning: 'The ________ achievement of Tarun's career was winning the Nobel Prize.'
Identify the purpose of the blank. It needs an adjective to describe 'achievement'.
Analyze the context of the comparison. The sentence singles out one achievement ('winning the Nobel Prize') from all others in a career ('of Tarun's career'). This is a comparison of one item against a group.
Recall the grammatical rule for this type of comparison. When comparing one item to a group of three or more, the superlative degree of the adjective is required.
Determine the correct superlative form of the adjective 'great'. Since 'great' is a one-syllable adjective, its superlative is formed by adding '-est'.
Evaluate the given options: 'greater' (comparative), 'more great' (incorrect), 'greatest' (superlative), 'most great' (incorrect).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

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