Below, a passage is given with five blanks labelled (A)-(E). Below the passage, five options are given for each blank. Choose the word that fits each blank most appropriately in the context of the passage, and mark the corresponding answer. Of the 58,64,69,294 female heads in the country, almost 39
Below, a passage is given with five blanks labelled (A)-(E). Below the passage, five options are given for each blank. Choose the word that fits each blank most appropriately in the context of the passage, and mark the corresponding answer.
Of the 58,64,69,294 female heads in the country, almost 39,70, 18,915 are eligible to cast their votes and around 65.50% can read and write. These statistics point towards a progressive India that has created _(A)_ conditions for its women to grow. However, in the 2015 UNDP’s Human Development Report, India ranked 130 out of 155 countries in the Gender Inequality Index (GII), losing the position to much underdeveloped Asian countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan which ranked 111 and 121, in that order.
While sacrificing mothers remain an _(B)_ in the minds of the average Indian, neglected women’s health has become one of the biggest reasons for concern for health policy watchers. One of the constant struggles of being a woman in India is fighting the _(C)_ and superstitions associated with menstruation. Women are considered “impure” during their period and subjected to social, religious and cultural restrictions.
Although restrictions vary depending on the cultural and religious background, as we explore the interiors, these restrictions include denying women participation in religious, social, and cultural activities, to the extent of severely _(D)_ experiences and practices, such as living separately as an outcast during the menstruation days. Girls seek motherly guidance for information and support, but over 70% of mothers consider menstruation “dirty” which only adds to their _(E)_.
However, science negates the notion of “impurity. Menstruation is clearly identified as an essential biological process when the body on missing a chance of pregnancy results in bleeding from the endometrial vessels and is followed by the grounding of the next menstruation cycle
Which of these words appropriately fits blank labelled (C) ?
1). Metaphor
2). Struggle
3). Cliche
4). Taboo
1 answers
The second paragraph ends by discussing the superstitions considered in India with regard to menstruation. The blank (C) seeks a word that highlights this problem.
A metaphor is a figure of speech that is used to compare two things which are not alike. Here, the sentence makes no such comparison. Thus, option 1 can be eliminated.
A cliché is a phrase (or an idea) which has been used so much that it is no longer interesting or effective. This word can also mean stereotype. It is not suitable for the sentence. Hence, we can eliminate option 3 as well.
Anomaly does not fit the context as it means something that is different from what is expected.
Taboo is a social custom to avoid talking about a particular subject or to avoid doing some activity. When used, it means that the women in India are fighting against the taboos and superstitions associated with menstruation. This makes contextual sense.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 4.