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.

Explanation

Let’s analyze blank (B): Sentence: Copyright “Farmers across the country have long been ______ on cattle for milk,© 2026 Adda247 manure, and draught power…” The correct phrase commonly used is “dependent on”, which means relying on something. www.freshersnow.com Correct answer: (c) dependent Now meanings, examples, and explanation: (a) critical Meaning (English): Important or expressing disapproval Meaning (Hindi): महत्वपूर्ण / आलोचनात्मक Example: Water is critical for survival. Why incorrect: The correct structure would be “critical for,” not “critical on.” Also, it doesn’t clearly convey reliance in this context. (b) imposed Meaning (English): Forced something on someone Meaning (Hindi): थोपना Example: The rules were imposed by the authority. Why incorrect: “Imposed on cattle” makes no sense here; farmers are not forcing something onto cattle. (c) dependent Meaning (English): Relying on someone or something Meaning (Hindi): निर्भर Example: Many villages are dependent on agriculture. Why correct: “Dependent on cattle” perfectly fits the context, showing farmers rely on cattle for livelihood needs. (d) reluctant Meaning (English): Unwilling or hesitant Meaning (Hindi): अनिच्छु क Example: She was reluctant to speak in public. Why incorrect: It does not fit logically; farmers are not unwilling “on cattle.” (e) hostile Meaning (English): Unfriendly or aggressive Meaning (Hindi): शत्रुतापूर्ण Example: The crowd became hostile during the protest. Why incorrect: It conveys negativity and conflict, which is not relevant to the relationship described. Final takeaway: The sentence clearly requires a word indicating reliance, making “dependent” the most appropriate choice.