Read the passage given below and choose the correct options that can replace the underlined portions. On the third day of our trip, I woke up to the chirping of birds. Suman lay snoring beside me, a sound I was certain Q21 the sleeping crocodiles near the river bank would have heard. Q22. I had got accustomed to it over the past few days. The boat jerked Q23 I had an uneasy feeling as our guide manoeuvred the boat over several large rocks. The river was filled with rocks. Q24 usual our guide avoided them. 'Is that what I think it is?" My friend whispered. Q25 I could turn around, he pointed a finger on my left."It should be half a kilometre ahead/' I mumbled. It turned out that Q26 Tom Q27 I were right. Three tiger cubs played among the tall grass. Their protective mother was only a stone's throw away, intelligently camouflaged Q28 watching patiently and sliently over her cubs. The three youngsters had a taste of freedom Q29 they had no idea that they were Q30 being watched over.

• A. but
• B. however
• C. even
• D. yet