In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been denoted by…
2025
In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been denoted by a letter. For each blank, five options are given.
Choose the most appropriate word from the options that fits the blank appropriately.
In a healthy office environment, it is important that senior employees ___________(A) guidance and support to their juniors. Newcomers often feel ___________(B) when trying to understand their roles and responsibilities. A helpful senior can ___________(C) the learning process by sharing experiences and providing useful tips. This not only builds confidence but also ___________(D) stronger team relationships. When juniors feel respected and ___________(E), they are more likely to contribute effectively. Hence, mutual cooperation and mentorship are ___________(F) for maintaining a productive workplace.
Which of the following words best fits in blank F?
- A.
critical
- B.
nominal
- C.
analytical
- D.
accrual
- E.
minimal
Attempted by 2 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
In sentence-completion, the missing word must agree with the sentence's logic, tone and grammar. When a clause frames something as a requirement or necessity for an outcome, the blank needs a degree word signalling high importance — an adjective meaning 'essential / decisively important'.
Application
Blank F reads: 'mutual cooperation and mentorship are ___ for maintaining a productive workplace.' The clause presents cooperation and mentorship as a requirement for that outcome, so the blank needs an adjective meaning 'essential / extremely important' that sits before 'for maintaining'. The word that carries exactly this sense and works grammatically as an adjective is the one meaning 'essential' — critical.
Cross-check
Substituting it back gives 'are critical for maintaining a productive workplace', which reads naturally and matches the passage's overall theme that cooperation and mentorship are necessary — confirming the choice.