ibps-rrb-oa 2024 · Question 291 of 410

Passage: Ravi and Ankit, two friends working in the IT sector, sat together in their usual cafe after a grueling day at work. Both had been in the industry for years and were no strangers to the mounting pressures that came with their roles. As they settled into their conversation, the topic inevitably turned to their jobs and the relentless pace they had been keeping up with. "I feel like I'm constantly on the back foot these days," Ravi admitted, rubbing his forehead as if trying to ease the tension. "It’s not just about writing code anymore. It's the constant updates, client revisions, and meetings that pile up. I thought I'd have a little breathing room this week, but guess what? Another project landed on my desk this morning. It’s like we’re perpetually chasing our own tails." Ankit, who worked as a project manager, nodded in agreement. "Tell me about it," he said, his tone weary. "Managing client expectations while trying to keep the team motivated is like walking a tightrope. Just when you think you’ve got everything under control, something pops up and throws a wrench in the works. It’s as if the workload never lets up." Ravi chuckled, though there was a hint of exhaustion behind it. "Exactly! And the worst part is, no matter how much you ______________, there’s always more waiting for you the next day. It feels like we’re stuck in a hamster wheel, just running and running but never getting anywhere." Ankit leaned back in his chair, his expression softening as he changed the subject. "You know, that’s why I make it a point to disconnect completely when I get a chance. I’ve taken up hiking again. Whenever I have some free time, I head to the hills. Being out in nature, far away from the constant pings of work emails, is like hitting the reset button." Ravi’s face lit up at this. "That sounds amazing. I’ve been doing something similar, actually. I picked up photography again after ages. Every weekend, I grab my camera and head out. It’s such a relief to focus on something that isn’t work-related. The creativity is freeing, and it reminds me that there’s more to life than just deadlines." As they continued to chat, the two friends realized how essential it was to have something outside of work to help them recharge. Their hobbies had become a vital part of keeping them sane, offering an escape from the constant grind of their IT careers. While the pressures at work weren’t going anywhere, at less they had found small pockets of joy to help them weather the storm. Which of the following words can best replace the word "less" to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct?

Reading comprehension

1. A(a) verst
2. B(b) wrest
3. C(c) exist
4. D(d) first
5. E(e) leastCorrect