Which of the following words best fits blank (B)?

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.

The cow has always held a ______(A) place in Indian society, revered not only for its religious significance but also for its immense contribution to rural livelihoods. Farmers across the country have long been ______(B) on cattle for milk, manure, and draught power, making the cow an inseparable part of agricultural life. The dairy industry, which has grown ______(C) over the decades, now stands as one of the largest in the world, providing employment to millions of households. Government schemes have been launched to ______(D) the welfare of cattle and improve the quality of indigenous breeds through scientific intervention. Despite rapid urbanisation, the bond between rural communities and their cattle remains deeply ______(E), reflecting a way of life that has endured for centuries.

The correct answer is dependent.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyze the context of the blank:
The sentence reads: "Farmers across the country have long been ______(B) on cattle for milk, manure, and draught power, making the cow an inseparable part of agricultural life."

2. Identify the grammatical structure:
The blank is followed by the preposition "on" ("______(B) on cattle"). We need an adjective or verb form that logically pairs with "on" to describe the relationship between farmers and cattle when relying on them for milk, manure, and draught power.

3. Evaluate the options:
• dependent: Meaning reliant on someone or something. "Dependent on" is a standard English prepositional phrase that perfectly fits the meaning of relying on cattle for daily agricultural needs.
• critical: Meaning expressing disapproval or crucial/vital. It does not fit the structure "critical on cattle" in this context.
• imposed: Meaning forced or placed upon. "Imposed on" means forced upon someone/something, which makes no sense here (farmers are not forced upon cattle).
• reluctant: Meaning unwilling or hesitant. "Reluctant on" is idiomatically incorrect and contradicts the context of cows being an inseparable part of agricultural life.

4. Conclusion:
The word dependent correctly completes the sentence logically and idiomatically.