In this reflective passage on life, choose the correct word to complete the sentence "If at one time a person finds himself on top of the world, at the ______ time he is depressed and downcast."

Introduction / Context:
This cloze test item continues the passage about how life alternates between joy and sorrow. The sentence contrasts two different moments in a person life: one where he feels on top of the world and another where he feels depressed. The blank must contain a word that clearly signals this contrast between two different points in time.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The sentence reads: "If at one time a person finds himself on top of the world, at the ______ time he is depressed and downcast."
The passage emphasises that moods and experiences can change quickly.
We need a word that contrasts with "one time" and refers to a different time or occasion.
We assume standard competitive exam level English usage.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the common phrase "at one time ... at another time". In English, when we say "at one time", we naturally complete the contrast with "at another time" or "at other times". In this sentence, the missing word must pair with "one time" to highlight the difference between two occasions. Therefore, the best word is "other", giving "at the other time". The other choices either do not express contrast correctly or do not fit the idiomatic pattern.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the structure "If at one time ... at the ______ time". This clearly suggests a contrasting pair. Step 2: Recall the common English pattern "at one time ... at another time" or "at one time ... at other times". Step 3: Insert each option into the sentence: "at the most time", "at the second time", "at the last time", "at the other time", and "at the same time". Step 4: Only "other" gives a correct and meaningful contrast to "one time". The sentence becomes "If at one time a person finds himself on top of the world, at the other time he is depressed and downcast." Step 5: Confirm that "other" correctly stresses the idea that life brings different experiences at different times.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, read the earlier lines of the passage which mention that life is full of many kinds of experiences, some joyful and some painful. The writer is clearly comparing two different phases: a high phase and a low phase. Using "other" describes precisely that contrast. If we tried "same", the meaning would be ruined because it would suggest that the person is happy and depressed at the same time, which contradicts the intended idea. Thus "other" is the only fully coherent choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

"most": The phrase "at the most time" is not used in standard English. "Most" can modify adjectives or nouns but does not fit this time contrast construction here.
"second": "At the second time" sounds awkward in this general philosophical sentence. The writer is not counting specific visits or attempts, but talking about a general contrast of phases in life.
"last": "At the last time" would refer to the final occasion, which is not the intended meaning. The passage is about repeated ups and downs, not a final event.
"same": "At the same time" would mean simultaneously, which contradicts the idea of a person being at a high point at one time and a low point at another time.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to rely on literal translation from another language without considering English idioms. Some learners may also choose "second" because they see two situations and think in terms of counting. However, English prefers the contrast word "other" in such philosophical generalisations. Always look for standard patterns like "one ... other" or "one ... another" in cloze passages.

Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is "other".