Question

Would anybody .............. a mother have risked her life for the baby?

• A. rather
• B. but
• C. than
• D. however

Hint:

In English, “but” can function as “except” in negative or rhetorical statements, as in “No one but him could win the race.”

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This sentence is a rhetorical question implying that no one else except a mother would have risked her life for the baby.
The correct conjunction here is “but” when used in the sense of “except” or “other than”.
The construction “nobody but [person]” is a standard way to say “only that person”, e.g., “Nobody but John could solve the puzzle.”
Option (a) “rather” is used to indicate preference (e.g., “I would rather stay home”), which does not fit the meaning of exception here.
Option (c) “than” is used in comparative structures (e.g., “better than this”), not for showing exceptions.
Option (d) “however” is an adverb/conjunction indicating contrast or concession, which is unrelated to the intended meaning.
Using “but” here reinforces that the act of risking life for the baby was exclusive to the mother, strengthening the emotional and rhetorical impact of the sentence.
Thus, “Would anybody but a mother have risked her life for the baby?” is the correct and idiomatic expression.