Question:medium

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the words that best fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
If a nation is unable to come to ______ on interpreting its own past, it will be unable to ______ its national interests.

Updated On: Jun 30, 2026
  • conclusion … plan
  • terms … design
  • decision … comprehend
  • consensus … formulate
  • consolidation … meet
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (D):
consensus … formulate

The correct answer is "consensus … formulate". This answer choice best fits the overall meaning of the sentence.

The sentence discusses a nation's ability to act in its own best interests. Let's break down why "consensus … formulate" works:

* "consensus": This word means "general agreement." If a nation can't agree on how to understand its past, there's no shared foundation. A lack of consensus on the past hinders the ability to collectively interpret it.
* "formulate": This word means "to create or prepare methodically." If a nation doesn't have a shared understanding of its history (i.e., a consensus), it will struggle to "formulate" (or create) plans related to its "national interests." Without a clear historical understanding, it is difficult to build a shared vision for the future, including planning how to best achieve national goals.

Let's look at why the other options don't fit as well:

* "conclusion … plan": While a nation needs to draw conclusions from the past, "plan" doesn't necessarily fit the idea of defining national interests. The nation does not plan its national interests; it uses them for a plan.
* "terms … design": "Terms" relates to an agreement, and "design" to a structure. These do not directly correlate to historical interpretation and national interests.
* "decision … comprehend": A nation needs to make decisions, but "comprehending" national interests is more of an understanding, not a formulation.
* "consolidation … meet": "Consolidation" is about making something stronger, which may not be a function of interpreting the past, and "meet" does not give the idea of planning for national interests.

In summary, "consensus … formulate" creates a coherent meaning where a shared understanding of history enables a nation to better define and pursue its national interests.
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