Directions (15-20) : In the following questions, a paragraph is given. There are several words which are highlighted, each followed by a number. These words may or may not be used in their correct sense in the given paragraph. The numbers provided with these words are then followed by five options. Each option contains words that can replace the words in the paragraph. You need to find the words that can replace the highlighted words and mark them as your answers. If the word highlighted is used correctly then mark option (E) i.e. “No replacement is required” as your answer.
Print media is dying. And social media has become a defunct (15) platform for the exchange of what maybe widely divergent views. These are perspectives which carry factual weight. Having said this, the curation of an international online notion (16) has undoubtedly brought with it enhanced citizens participation across democratic processes and broader social movements – but at the same time, one feels that the role of independent media and journalism as bearers of the foundations of democratic systems, is slowly but surely diminishing (17) .
The good thing about social media is that everyone can have an opinion or a voice on a particular issue – which unfortunately also seems to be a bad thing in certain cases. This is where it gets minimising (18) . On one end norms such as freedom of thought and expression are universally accepted as pillars of constitutionally democratic systems – challenge (19) free speech in any form is thus a touchy subject. On the other end there are those who argue that free speech has its defined limits – free speech can be censored if one is using their perspectives as a means to incite hate or violence. Policymakers have not found a vintage (20) answer to which of these two positions is correct and applicable in the context of a connected and deeply integrated global political order.
Correct Answer :
limiting
Solution :
The correct answer is limiting (which replaces word (18)).
Contextual Analysis:
Let us analyze the sentence where the word (18) appears:
"The good thing about social media is that everyone can have an opinion or a voice on a particular issue – which unfortunately also seems to be a bad thing in certain cases. This is where it gets minimising (18)."
The paragraph describes how social media allows everyone to express an opinion, which can be both a benefit and a drawback. The phrase "where it gets..." requires an adjective describing how the dual nature of social media creates restrictions or problematic boundaries when balancing free speech and online harm.
Evaluation of Options:
1. false: Incorrect. "Gets false" does not make sense in the context of describing the restrictive or complex nature of free speech debates on social media.
2. auspicious: Incorrect. "Auspicious" means favorable or promising success, which contradicts the negative context established by "unfortunately... a bad thing".
3. costly: Incorrect. While social media can have societal costs, "costly" does not fit logically into the concept of narrowing down or restricting opinions.
4. limiting: Correct. "Limiting" fits perfectly as it describes how the situation restricts or creates difficult constraints on free speech and democratic dialogue.
5. No replacement required: Incorrect. "Minimising" is grammatically and contextually inappropriate in this sentence structure.
Therefore, replacing minimising (18) with limiting makes the paragraph grammatically correct and contextually meaningful.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Mindyard. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Mindyard. All Rights Reserved.
