In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Select the most appropriate answer to fill in blank 4.
accused
Understanding Mob Lynching and Identifying Keywords
The passage discusses the serious issue of mob lynching, defining it as the act of a group of people murdering someone without legal process for an alleged infraction. It highlights that this practice is often a form of hate crime targeting specific groups or strangers based on mere suspicion. The core problem described is the mob bypassing the legal system to punish someone they believe is guilty.
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank 4:
"...the mob takes the law into their own hands to punish the supposed (4)__________ in the name of justice."
Let's analyze the options provided in the context of this sentence and the overall passage about mob lynching.
Analyzing Options for Blank 4
We need a word that describes the person being punished by the mob, who is only "supposed" to be whatever the word describes, suggesting they haven't been legally proven to be so.
- Option 1: innocent
The word 'innocent' means not guilty of a crime or offence. If the person was 'supposed innocent', the mob wouldn't be punishing them in the name of justice. The mob is punishing someone they believe to be guilty. So, 'innocent' does not fit the context. - Option 2: lawman
A 'lawman' is a person responsible for upholding the law, such as a police officer. Victims of mob lynching are typically not law enforcement officials being punished in this manner. This word is completely out of context. - Option 3: faultless
'Faultless' means without fault or imperfection; perfect. Similar to 'innocent', if the person was 'supposed faultless', the mob would not be punishing them. The mob is targeting someone they believe has committed a fault or infraction. This option does not fit. - Option 4: accused
'Accused' refers to a person who is charged with or suspected of a crime or offence. In the context of mob lynching, the mob acts based on suspicion or accusation, without legal proof. The mob punishes the person they 'suppose' is 'accused' (and therefore, in their eyes, guilty) of an infraction. This fits the description of the mob acting outside the law to punish someone based on their own judgment or suspicion.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
Based on the analysis, the word that best fits the blank is 'accused'. The mob takes the law into their own hands to punish the person they 'suppose' is 'accused' of an infraction, bypassing the legal process which would determine if the accusation is true.
The completed phrase would be: "...to punish the supposed accused in the name of justice." This accurately reflects the nature of mob lynching as an extra-legal punishment based on unproven accusations.
| Option | Meaning | Fit in Context |
|---|---|---|
| innocent | Not guilty | Does not fit (mob punishes who they believe is guilty) |
| lawman | Law enforcement officer | Does not fit (context is the victim of mob punishment) |
| faultless | Without fault | Does not fit (mob punishes who they believe has fault) |
| accused | Suspected or charged with offence | Fits well (mob punishes who they suppose is accused/guilty) |
Revision Table: Key Concepts in Mob Lynching
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Mob Lynching | Act of a group of people killing someone for an alleged offense without legal process. |
| Due Process of Law | The requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person; fair treatment through the normal judicial system. |
| Infraction | A violation or infringement of a law or set of rules. |
| Hate Crime | A crime, typically one involving violence, that is motivated by prejudice on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or other grounds. |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) | An international document stating basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. |
Additional Information on Legal Context
In the context of legal systems, a person is considered 'accused' when allegations are made against them regarding an offense. However, the legal principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' is fundamental. This means an accused person is presumed innocent until evidence is presented and evaluated through due process in a court of law, leading to a conviction if guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt. Mob lynching bypasses this crucial legal principle entirely, punishing individuals based on mere suspicion, rumour, or prejudice, which is a severe violation of human rights and the rule of law.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in blank space (1)?
What would come in blank space (2)?
What would come in blank space (3)?
What would come in blank space (4)?
What would come in blank space (5)?
