Directions : Two paragraphs with a blank space are provided in each of the…
2023
Directions : Two paragraphs with a blank space are provided in each of the following questions. Fill in the blank space with the most appropriate one out of the four options given below, taking into consideration the consistency and compatibility of the two paragraphs. If none of the given options seems appropriate to fill in the blank space, choose option (e) as your answer choice.
Q. (I) Baking, an age-old culinary art, has transcended its primary purpose of providing sustenance to become a source of joy, creativity, and a powerful stress-reliever for many.
(II) __________________________
(III) Baking brings happiness into our lives for a scientific reason. When we bake, our brains release endorphins, the "feel-good" chemicals that alleviate stress and boost joy.
- A.
In recent years, the popularity of communities marketing positive emotional and therapeutic aspects has surged.
- B.
Baking is often perceived as a melancholy process that only involves following precise instructions to achieve the desired results.
- C.
So, the next time you're feeling overwhelmed, why not head to the kitchen, don your apron, and immerse yourself in cooking?
- D.
The process of mixing flour, sugar, and eggs to create delicious treats not only satiates our taste buds but also brings happiness and nourishes our soul.
- E.
None of the above
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
In a coherence (sentence-insertion) question, the missing sentence must form an unbroken bridge between the idea that comes before it and the idea that comes after it. A correct filler picks up the theme already introduced and hands it smoothly to the next sentence, matching it in topic, tone, and logical direction. A sentence that introduces a new subject, reverses the established tone, or reads like a closing remark breaks that flow.
Application
Track the thread of the passage across the three positions:
Sentence (I) establishes that baking has grown beyond mere sustenance into a source of joy, creativity, and stress relief.
Sentence (III) then states that baking brings happiness and gives the scientific reason (endorphins).
So the blank (II) must keep the focus on baking itself and lead naturally into the word happiness that (III) picks up.
The line “The process of mixing flour, sugar, and eggs to create delicious treats not only satiates our taste buds but also brings happiness and nourishes our soul,” does exactly this: it stays on baking, restates the emotional payoff as happiness, and sets up (III)’s “Baking brings happiness … for a scientific reason,” which then explains how.
Contrast
Communities marketing therapeutic aspects: shifts the subject to communities and marketing trends, abandoning the personal experience of baking.
Baking as a melancholy process: reverses the passage’s positive tone and contradicts the surrounding praise of baking.
“Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, head to the kitchen …”: reads as a closing call to action and would cut off the scientific explanation that (III) is about to give.
None of the above: unnecessary, since a fitting bridge sentence is available.