Understanding the Passage and the Question

The question asks us to complete a passage by filling in blank number 5. The passage discusses how Lokmanya Tilak utilized the Ganapati festival. He converted the festival into a national celebration to mobilize public support for a specific purpose related to nationalism.

We need to read the sentence containing blank 5 carefully: "It was _______ (3) this festival that he ________ (4) mobilize public support for the nationalist _______ (5)". The focus is on what 'nationalist' refers to in this context.

Analyzing Blank 5: Mobilizing Support for the Nationalist _______

The phrase "mobilize public support for the nationalist _______" suggests that the Ganapati festival was used as a platform to gather people's backing for a nationalist cause or goal. We need to choose the word from the options that best fits after "nationalist" in this context.

Examining the Options for Blank 5

Let's look at the given options:

• movement
• term
• season
• festival

Now, let's evaluate each option to see which one makes the most sense in the sentence "mobilize public support for the nationalist _______".

Option 1: movement

If we use "movement", the phrase becomes "mobilize public support for the nationalist movement". A "nationalist movement" refers to a collective effort or campaign by a group of people aiming to achieve national self-determination, independence, or unity. Historically, Lokmanya Tilak was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Using a public festival like Ganapati to mobilize support for such a movement fits the historical context and the idea of gathering people for a cause.

Option 2: term

If we use "term", the phrase becomes "mobilize public support for the nationalist term". A "term" is usually a word, phrase, or a period of time. Mobilizing public support for a "nationalist term" does not make logical sense in this context.

Option 3: season

If we use "season", the phrase becomes "mobilize public support for the nationalist season". A "season" refers to a period of the year or a specific period associated with an activity. Mobilizing support for a "nationalist season" does not fit the context of rallying people for a nationalist cause.

Option 4: festival

If we use "festival", the phrase becomes "mobilize public support for the nationalist festival". The passage already states that Tilak converted the Ganapati festival into a national celebration. While it became a "nationalist festival" in spirit or purpose, the sentence structure "mobilize public support for the nationalist festival" is redundant and less likely than mobilizing support *for something else* *using* the festival. The goal was not just to support the festival itself, but the larger nationalist cause it represented or promoted.

Conclusion for Blank 5

Comparing the options, "movement" is the most appropriate word to follow "nationalist" when talking about mobilizing public support. Lokmanya Tilak used the festival as a means to gather people and inspire them to support the larger nationalist independence movement.

Therefore, the word that best fits blank 5 is "movement".

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary from the Passage

Additional Information: Lokmanya Tilak and the Ganapati Festival

Lokmanya Tilak was a key leader of the Indian independence movement. He recognized the potential of traditional festivals to connect with the masses and propagate the nationalist message during a time when political gatherings were often suppressed by the British. By transforming the private Ganapati festival into a public event, he created a platform:

• To bring people from different castes and communities together.
• To discuss political ideas and nationalist goals.
• To instill a sense of unity and national pride.
• To openly challenge colonial restrictions on public assembly.

This strategic use of cultural and religious events was an important part of mobilizing widespread support for the nationalist movement against British rule.