Direction: In this section, there is a passage having some blank spaces with four words or groups of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly. It is necessary, (1)_______ any war, to consider, not its proper justification in past agreements, (2)_______ its real justification in the balance of good which it is to bring to mankind. At the beginning of a war, each nation, under the influence of what is called (3)_______ believes that its own victory is (4)_______ certain and of great importance to mankind. The praiseworthiness of this belief has become an accepted maxim of common sense : even when war is actually in progress it (5)_______ to be natural and right that a citizen of an enemy country should regard the victory of his side as assured and highly (6)_______ By concentrating attention upon the supposed advantages of the victory of our own side, we (7)_______ more or less blind to the evils inseparable from war and equally certain whichever side may ultimately prove (8)_______ Yet so long as these are not fully realized, it is impossible (9)_______ justly (10)_______ a war is or is not likely to be beneficial to the human ra ce. Although the theme is trite, it is necessary therefore briefly to remind ourselves what the evils of war really are.
Choose the appropriate option for (4) ?
Understanding Certainty in Victory (Blank 4)
The question requires filling the blank (4) in the sentence: "At the beginning of a war, each nation... believes that its own victory is (4) _______ certain and of great importance to mankind." This sentence focuses on the strong conviction nations possess about their success at the start of a conflict, driven by nationalistic sentiment.
Analyzing the Options for Blank (4)
We need to determine the most fitting word to describe the certainty of a nation's victory.
- Option 1: nationally: Suggesting the victory is "nationally certain" is grammatically awkward and doesn't convey a clear meaning in this context. Certainty isn't typically qualified as 'national'.
- Option 2: individually: Similar to 'nationally', describing the certainty as "individually certain" does not align with the collective belief of a nation.
- Option 3: autonomously: This word refers to self-governance or independence. "Autonomously certain" does not logically describe the perceived certainty of a war's outcome.
- Option 4: both: This option implies that the certainty is multifaceted or linked to another aspect. Although the sentence reads "...is both certain...", suggesting a missing parallel element, the word 'both' strongly emphasizes the perceived certainty. It aligns with the intense nationalistic belief where victory is seen as assured, perhaps implying it's certain and also crucially important, as mentioned later in the sentence ("and of great importance"). 'Both' highlights the unwavering confidence and conviction held by the nation regarding its triumph.
Contextual Relevance of 'both'
The passage describes a psychological state fueled by nationalism, where nations are convinced of their victory. The choice 'both' serves to amplify this perceived certainty. It suggests that the belief in victory is absolute and possibly considered certain in multiple dimensions (e.g., inevitable, justified, crucial). This strong emphasis on certainty, even if the grammatical structure might hint at a slightly incomplete phrase, effectively captures the unwavering mindset of a nation convinced of its success and the importance thereof during wartime.
Therefore, 'both' fits the context by underscoring the perceived absolute certainty of victory, reflecting the intense nationalistic conviction discussed in the passage.
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Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (1)
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Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (5)
