Question

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 option to fill in blank no 5.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank The 18th century witnessed a fierce struggle for supremacy in India, pitting the Marathas, a powerful indigenous force, against the formidable British East India Company. The Marathas (1)_____ vast territories and played a pivotal role in shaping the subcontinent's political landscape, receiving tributes from regions beyond their direct rule. The Second Anglo-Maratha War had shattered the power of the Maratha chiefs but not their spirit. The (2)_____ of their freedom rankled in their hearts. They made a last desperate attempt to regain their independence and old prestige in 1817. The lead in organising a united front of the Maratha chiefs was taken by the Peshwa who was smarting under the (3)_____ control exercised by the British Resident. However, Elphinstone, the British Resident at Pune, compelled the Peshwa to sign the treaty of Poona in June 1817. The Peshwa (4)_____ his claim as the ‘Peshwa’. Lord Hastings also compelled Daulatrao Sindhia to conclude the Treaty of Gwalior in November 1817. Hardly had Scindia signed the treaty of Gwalior when the Peshwa Bajirao II attacked the British at Kirki, near Pune. The British forces (5)_____ and occupied Pune. The might of the British forces since then had established completely and on many occasions they had proved it easily during their regime.

• A. retreated
• B. retaliated
• C. revenge
• D. restricted

Answer 1

Answer:

B. retaliated

The sentence describes the military reaction of the British after being attacked by Peshwa Bajirao II at Kirki (Khadki). Retaliated (Correct): To "retaliate" means to make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack. Since the passage states that the Peshwa attacked the British first, the logical response was for the British to strike back. This counter-attack resulted in them occupying Pune. Retreated: This means to withdraw from enemy forces. If the British had retreated, they would have moved away rather than "occupying Pune." Revenge: This is primarily a noun. Grammatically, the sentence requires a verb in the past tense to match the parallel verbs "attacked" and "occupied." Restricted: This means to put a limit on something or someone. It does not fit the context of an active military engagement or the capturing of a city. Correct Sentence Segment: "The British forces retaliated and occupied Pune."