Question

    In the following questions, a sentence is given with two blanks. Identify the correct pair of words that fit in the sentence to make it grammatically and contextually correct.

    Rising temperatures and ___________weather patterns

    further ____________agricultural output, putting the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people at risk.
    A volatile, impair Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B erratic, disrupt Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C fluctuating, hinder Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D unpredicted, devastate Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E None of these Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    For the 1st blank: "Erratic" is the most suitable option. While "volatile" and "fluctuating" suggest some degree of change or instability, "erratic" specifically conveys unpredictable and irregular weather patterns, which fits the context of rising temperatures affecting agriculture. "Unpredicted" is less precise as it doesn’t highlight the irregularity in the pattern. For the 2nd blank: "Disrupt" is the best choice. "Disrupt" implies a significant disturbance or interruption, which aligns with the context of agricultural output being negatively affected. While "impair," "hinder," and "devastate" also have negative connotations, "disrupt" fits best in conveying a broader impact on agricultural output.

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