Q.4
Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence:
It was her view that the country’s problems had been __________ by foreign technocrats,
so that to invite them to come back would be counter-productive.
Options:
(A) identified
(B) ascertained
(C) exacerbated
(D) analysed
Sentence completion tasks in exams like GATE, GRE, and CAT test context and advanced vocabulary, especially nuanced words in socio-economic scenarios. The sentence—”It was her view that the country’s problems had been __________ by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them back would be counter-productive”—implies the technocrats made existing issues worse, leading to rejection of their return.
The correct answer is (C) exacerbated, completing it as: “…had been exacerbated by foreign technocrats.” This means intensified or aggravated, fitting the logic perfectly.
Why (C) Exacerbated Fits Best
“Exacerbated” means to make a bad situation worse, directly explaining why inviting them back would compound the damage. In biotech or policy contexts, foreign experts might worsen local issues through mismatched interventions, mirroring real-world critiques of technocracy.
Explanation of All Options
Each word alters the implication—neutral analysis versus negative impact:
-
(A) Identified
Means recognized or pinpointed problems. This is neutral detection, not worsening; inviting them back could then help solve identified issues, contradicting “counter-productive.” -
(B) Ascertained
Means determined or confirmed through investigation. Like identification, it’s factual without negativity—re-invitation wouldn’t be counterproductive. -
(C) Exacerbated
Means aggravated or intensified bad conditions. Matches the negative outcome, justifying avoidance of their return due to proven harm. -
(D) Analysed
Means examined in detail. Analytical work is constructive, so it fails to explain counter-productivity.
Quick Comparison Table
| Option | Word | Meaning Impact | Fits Counter-Productive Logic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Identified | Neutral (recognized) | No |
| B | Ascertained | Neutral (confirmed) | No |
| C | Exacerbated | Negative (worsened) | Yes |
| D | Analysed | Neutral (examined) | No |
These questions hone precision for scientific writing and policy analysis in biotechnology fields. Practice with examples like “Pollution exacerbated by industrial tech” for mastery.
