Correct answer: B. through, including
The sentence is:
Farmers played a role in the loss of the NDA government in 2004, and the first UPA regime sought to meet some of their concerns ______ an increase in public spending in rural areas, _______ through agricultural plans in each state, a focus on agricultural credit and enhanced extension activities, and the rural employment guarantee scheme.
Role of the missing words:
The first blank must be filled with a preposition that shows the means or method by which the government sought to meet farmers’ concerns. The second blank must be filled with a preposition or participle that introduces examples of the measures taken.
Context and logical consistency:
The sentence describes how the UPA government tried to address farmers’ concerns. The first blank should indicate the method (through spending). The second blank should introduce the specific initiatives that were part of that approach.
Evaluation of each option based on collocation and meaning:
• Through, including – “Through” correctly indicates the means (by increasing spending). “Including” correctly introduces the list of specific measures. This pair fits perfectly.
• Through, excluding – “Through” is correct, but “excluding” would mean leaving out those measures, which contradicts the list.
• Including, towards – “Including” does not fit the first blank because it would mean “including an increase…” which changes the meaning. “Towards” does not work well with the list structure.
• Towards, including – “Towards” is not the right preposition to show means; it suggests direction or purpose. “Including” is correct for the second blank, but the first is wrong.
• With, towards – “With” could sometimes mean by means of, but “towards” does not fit the list structure.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… through an increase in public spending in rural areas, including through agricultural plans…
“Through” introduces the method, and “including” introduces the specific examples.
Grammar Rules:
• Preposition for Means/Method: “Through” is used to indicate the means or method by which something is achieved. In this sentence, the regime sought to meet concerns by means of an increase in public spending.
• Conjunction/Preposition for Inclusion/Examples: “Including” is used to introduce items that are part of a larger group or category mentioned previously. Here, it introduces specific examples of how the increased spending was implemented (agricultural plans, credit, schemes).

Correct answer: D. at, for
The sentence is:
Kylian Mbappe, who ______ 19 became the youngest to score in the World Cup final since Pele, showed glimpses of his extraordinary potential; he now looks set _______ greater things.
Role of the missing words:
The first blank must be filled with a preposition that indicates age. The second blank must be filled with a preposition that means “destined for” or “intended to achieve.”
Context and logical consistency:
The first part says he became the youngest at a specific age. The correct preposition for age is “at.” The second part says he is set for greater things, meaning he is destined or likely to achieve them.
Evaluation of each option based on collocation:
• At, for – “At 19” is the correct way to state age. “Set for” means destined for or ready for. This pair fits perfectly.
• On, of – “On 19” is not used for age. “Set of” would mean a collection, which does not fit.
• In, for – “In 19” is not used for age. “Set for” is correct, but the first blank is wrong.
• At, off – “At 19” is correct, but “set off” means to start a journey or trigger, not to be destined for.
• At, in – “At 19” is correct, but “set in” means to begin or become established, not to be destined for.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… who at 19 became the youngest… he now looks set for greater things.
“At” correctly indicates age, and “for” indicates the future goal or destiny.
Grammar Rules:
• Preposition for Age: When stating someone’s age at which an event occurred, the preposition “at” is used (e.g., “at the age of 19” or simply “at 19”).
• Idiom “Set for”: The idiom “set for (something)” means destined for, ready for, or likely to experience something in the future. In this context, it means Mbappe is likely to achieve or experience greater things in his career.

Correct answer: C. by, in
The sentence is:
For Croatia, marshaled _______ the excellent Luka Modric, there is no disgrace ________ defeat.
Role of the missing words:
The first blank must be filled with a preposition that indicates the agent or leader who organized or directed the team. The second blank must be filled with a preposition that means “in connection with” or “caused by” defeat.
Context and logical consistency:
The sentence talks about Croatia being organized or led by Luka Modric. The first blank should indicate that Modric was the leader or organizer. The second blank should indicate that there is no shame or disgrace in experiencing defeat.
Evaluation of each option based on collocation:
• By, in – “Marshaled by” means organized or led by someone. “No disgrace in defeat” is the standard phrase meaning defeat is not shameful. This pair fits perfectly.
• Through, of – “Marshaled through” is not a standard phrase. “Disgrace of defeat” is less idiomatic.
• By, of – “Marshaled by” is correct, but “disgrace of defeat” is not the standard phrase.
• With, for – “Marshaled with” is not used; “disgrace for defeat” is awkward.
• Through, in – “Marshaled through” is not standard; “disgrace in defeat” is correct, but the first blank is wrong.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… marshaled by the excellent Luka Modric, there is no disgrace in defeat.
“By” introduces the agent, and “in” correctly completes the fixed phrase “disgrace in defeat.”
Grammar Rules:
• Preposition for Agency: “Marshaled by” indicates that Luka Modric was the agent or leader responsible for organizing or guiding the team (Croatia).
• Idiomatic Prepositional Phrase: The phrase “disgrace in defeat” is the standard idiom to express that there is no shame or dishonor associated with a loss, especially when the effort was strong. It implies that the defeat itself does not bring dishonor.

Correct answer: A. over, over
The sentence is:
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) already has contracts of ______ $1 trillion covering _______ 60 countries.
Role of the missing words:
The first blank must be filled with a preposition that means “more than” to describe the value of the contracts. The second blank must be filled with a preposition that means “more than” or “approximately” to describe the number of countries covered.
Context and logical consistency:
The sentence states the scale of the BRI in terms of money and number of countries. The first blank should indicate that the contract value exceeds $1 trillion. The second blank should indicate that the initiative covers more than 60 countries.
Evaluation of each option based on meaning:
• Over, over – “Over” means more than in both contexts. “Contracts of over $1 trillion” means exceeding that amount. “Covering over 60 countries” means more than 60 countries. This fits perfectly.
• Over, across – “Over” works for the first blank. “Across” would mean spread throughout, not the number of countries. It does not indicate quantity.
• Including, over – “Including” would mean $1 trillion is part of the total, not that it exceeds. The second “over” is correct but the first is wrong.
• Above, of – “Above” can mean more than, but “covering of 60 countries” is incorrect; “of” does not fit here.
• Beyond, across – “Beyond” could mean exceeding, but “covering across” does not indicate quantity of countries.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… contracts of over $1 trillion covering over 60 countries.
“Over” functions as a preposition indicating excess in both cases.

Correct answer: B. Increased
The sentence is:
There has been ______ interest among retail investors in ETF, thanks to the underperformance of the actively-managed large-cap equity funds.
Role of the missing word:
The blank must be filled with an adjective that describes the change in interest among retail investors. The sentence gives a reason for this change: the underperformance of other funds.
Context and logical consistency:
The sentence says that because actively-managed funds did not perform well, investors turned to ETFs. This means the interest in ETFs has gone up, not down. The word should indicate a rise or growth in interest.
Evaluation of each option based on meaning:
• Increased – This means greater in amount or extent. It fits perfectly because poor performance of other funds would lead to more interest in ETFs.
• Decreased – This means reduced or lesser. It contradicts the logic of the sentence.
• Determined – This means decided or resolved. It does not describe a change in amount of interest.
• Fragment – This means a broken piece or part. It is a noun and does not fit the blank, which requires an adjective.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
There has been increased interest among retail investors…
The adjective “increased” correctly modifies the noun “interest.”
Grammar Rules:
• Contextual Appropriateness: The sentence structure implies a causal relationship. The underperformance of one type of fund is leading to more interest in another type of fund. This implies that the interest in ETFs has gone up, not down, because of the underperformance. “Increased” accurately reflects this.

Correct answer: B. Imperative
The sentence is:
Since you can sell units only on the stock exchange, it is ______ that there are buyers and you get a good price.
Role of the missing word:
The blank must be filled with an adjective that describes the necessity or importance of having buyers and getting a good price. The sentence explains a condition for selling units on the stock exchange.
Context and logical consistency:
The sentence says that because you can only sell on the stock exchange, the presence of buyers and a good price is essential. The word must mean “absolutely necessary” or “critical.”
Evaluation of each option based on meaning:
• Imperative – This means absolutely necessary or vital. It fits perfectly because having buyers and a good price is essential for a successful sale.
• Instant – This means immediate or happening at once. It does not describe necessity.
• Ratification – This means formal approval or confirmation. It is a noun and does not fit the blank, which requires an adjective.
• Genuine – This means real or authentic. It does not describe necessity.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… it is imperative that there are buyers and you get a good price.
“Imperative” is an adjective used with “it is” and the “that” clause to express necessity.
Grammar Rules:
• Contextual Appropriateness: The sentence explains a limitation: selling units is possible only on the stock exchange. Given this, the sentence emphasizes a necessary condition for a successful sale, which is the presence of buyers and a good price. “Imperative” means of vital importance; crucial, expressing this necessity. The other words do not emphasize this sense of necessity.

Correct answer: A. Important
The sentence is:
Buying a home is one of the most ______ financial decisions we need to take.
Role of the missing word:
The blank must be filled with an adjective that describes the significance or weight of financial decisions, particularly buying a home. The phrase “one of the most” requires a superlative or high-level adjective.
Context and logical consistency:
Buying a home is a major financial commitment with long-term consequences. The word should convey that this decision carries great significance or weight. “Important” fits this perfectly.
Evaluation of each option based on meaning:
• Important – This means of great significance or value. It fits perfectly because buying a home is a significant financial decision.
• Impatient – This means restless or eager. It describes a personal feeling, not a financial decision.
• Honest – This means truthful or sincere. It does not describe the nature of a financial decision.
• Drastic – This means extreme or severe. While buying a home may be drastic, it is not the most natural word to describe a financial decision. “Important” is more appropriate.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… one of the most important financial decisions…
The adjective “important” correctly modifies “decisions” and fits the superlative structure.
Grammar Rules:
• Contextual Appropriateness: The sentence describes buying a home as a major financial decision. The word chosen must reflect the significance and weight of such a decision. “Important” means of great significance or value. This perfectly fits the context of a decision with long-term and substantial financial implications.

Correct answer: C. Insurance
The sentence is:
A mortgage or home loan _______ is essentially a life policy that covers the borrower against the non-payment of the loan in case of his / her death.
Role of the missing word:
The blank must be filled with a noun that refers to a financial product providing protection against risk. The sentence explains that this product is “essentially a life policy” that covers the borrower in case of death.
Context and logical consistency:
The sentence describes a product that protects the borrower and the lender in case the borrower dies before repaying the loan. This is a type of insurance, specifically mortgage or loan insurance.
Evaluation of each option based on meaning:
• Insurance – This means a contract providing financial protection against loss or risk. It fits perfectly because the sentence describes a life policy that covers non-payment.
• Institution – This means an organization or establishment. It does not describe the product itself.
• Function – This means purpose or role. It does not refer to a financial product.
• Rate – This means a measure or amount, usually of interest. It does not describe a policy.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
A mortgage or home loan insurance is essentially a life policy…
The noun “insurance” correctly identifies the product and is followed by the definition.
Grammar Rules:
• Contextual Appropriateness: The sentence describes a “life policy that covers the borrower against the non-payment of the loan in case of his / her death.” This definition perfectly matches the concept of “insurance.” Specifically, it refers to a type of insurance that protects the lender in case of the borrower’s death.

Solution: Option: B
It is clear from the context of this sentence that the government has put forward in the budget a proposal that will discourage cash transactions in the high value segment. The banks will be able to penalize the customers doing so going forward. The weapon given to the banks is the implementation of TDS on high value cash transactions. Among the given words, we can use the word empowered to indicate that the banks have been enabled to impose tax on cash transactions. Other words are eliminated because they do not imply the intended meaning.

Correct answer: B. Empowered
The sentence is:
To keep tabs on high-value cash withdrawals, the Budget has _______ banks to levy TDS on withdrawals over Rs. 1 crore.
Role of the missing word:
The blank must be filled with a verb in the past participle form that means to give authority or power to do something. The sentence describes the Budget giving banks the authority to levy TDS (Tax Deducted at Source).
Context and logical consistency:
The Budget is a government measure that grants legal authority. The word should mean that banks were given the power or legal right to deduct TDS. “Empowered” fits this meaning perfectly.
Evaluation of each option based on meaning:
• Empowered – This means given the authority or power to do something. It fits perfectly because the Budget gives banks the legal right to levy TDS.
• Encouraged – This means given support or motivation. It does not indicate legal authority.
• Decided – This means made a choice or reached a conclusion. It does not convey giving authority.
• Demonstrated – This means shown or proved. It does not fit the context of granting power.
Grammar structure of the completed sentence:
… the Budget has empowered banks to levy TDS…
“Empowered” is in the past participle form and correctly follows “has.”
Grammar Rules:
• Verb Precision and Context: The action described is the Budget granting banks the authority or means to levy TDS. “Empowered” means to give (someone) the authority or power to do something. This perfectly captures the legislative or policy action that enables banks to take this step. The Budget provides the legal or regulatory backing, effectively empowering them.