Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined part of the sentence.
He placed the keys [in the kitchen counter].
आपने शायद यह सोचाWhat you probably thought'in the kitchen counter' सहज लगा। परंतु सतह के लिए 'on' आता है।'in the kitchen counter' sounds natural, so no change seemed needed. But a counter is a flat top, so keys go on it, not in it.
आपने शायद यह सोचाWhat you probably thought'into the kitchen counter' उचित लगा। परंतु इसका अर्थ भीतर रखना है; 'on' शुद्ध है।'into the kitchen counter' looked right because 'placed' suggests movement. But 'into' puts the keys inside the counter, while a flat top takes 'on'.
आपने शायद यह सोचाWhat you probably thoughtवाक्य सहज लगा। परंतु 'in' भीतर का भाव देता है; 'on' चाहिए।The sentence sounds acceptable, so no substitution seemed needed. But 'in' suggests the inside of the counter.
Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: (C) on the kitchen counter
placed the keys ... counter
किसी समतल ऊपरी सतह पर रखने के लिए on + surface आता है।
✓
He placed the keys on the kitchen counter.
In और into चाबियों को काउंटर के भीतर रख देते, जो यहाँ गलत है।
सरल अर्थ: उसने चाबियाँ किचन काउंटर पर रख दीं।
placed the keys ... counter
A flat top takes on + surface.
✓
He placed the keys on the kitchen counter.
In and into would put the keys inside the counter itself.
बाकी Options उत्तर क्यों नहीं हैंWhy the other options are not the answer
A'in the kitchen counter' सहज लगा। परंतु सतह के लिए 'on' आता है।'in the kitchen counter' sounds natural, so no change seemed needed. But a counter is a flat top, so keys go on it, not in it.
B'into the kitchen counter' उचित लगा। परंतु इसका अर्थ भीतर रखना है; 'on' शुद्ध है।'into the kitchen counter' looked right because 'placed' suggests movement. But 'into' puts the keys inside the counter, while a flat top takes 'on'.
Dवाक्य सहज लगा। परंतु 'in' भीतर का भाव देता है; 'on' चाहिए।The sentence sounds acceptable, so no substitution seemed needed. But 'in' suggests the inside of the counter.
Source: SSC DP HCM Tier 1 · 08 Jan 2026 · Shift 1। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: SSC DP HCM Tier 1 · 08 Jan 2026 · Shift 1. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.