The rise in the Irrawaddy dolphin (1) in Chilika can be attributed to the…
2022
The rise in the Irrawaddy dolphin (1) in Chilika can be attributed to the eviction of (2) fish enclosures. After thousands of hectares of Chilika lake were made (3) free, Irrawaddy dolphins found unobstructed area for movement. (4), due to the COVID-19 lockdown last year, there were comparatively fewer tourist boats on Chilika lake, which made it (5) for dolphins to move from one part of the lake to another.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no.5.
- A.
hurtful
- B.
disturbing
- C.
detrimental
- D.
conducive
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept: A vocabulary-based cloze blank must carry the meaning that fits the logical relationship (cause-effect, contrast, or continuation) the sentence has already set up, not merely a word that sounds acceptable on its own. “Conducive” means providing favourable conditions for something to happen; “hurtful” and “detrimental” mean harmful or damaging; “disturbing” means causing anxiety or disruption. These sit at opposite ends of a positive-negative scale, so the surrounding context must decide which end fits.
Application: The paragraph builds a positive chain of cause and effect for the dolphins: fish enclosures were evicted, thousands of hectares were freed, and dolphins found an “unobstructed area for movement”. Blank (4) adds another positive factor — the COVID-19 lockdown meant fewer tourist boats on the lake. Fewer boats removing an obstacle continues this same positive chain, so the condition this created for dolphins moving between parts of the lake must also be described in favourable terms.
Cross-check: substituting each option shows only one preserves the passage’s positive logic:
“Hurtful” means causing pain or injury — it does not match a sentence about the ease of movement.
“Disturbing” implies renewed disruption — it contradicts the passage’s point that boat traffic (and the disruption it caused) went down.
“Detrimental” means harmful or damaging — it contradicts the favourable development the paragraph describes.
“Conducive” is the only word whose meaning matches the favourable outcome already established by the freed enclosures and the unobstructed area — fewer boats likewise created a condition favourable for dolphins to move between parts of the lake.