Question

When each ...... generation grows up, it looks down on the next as if we all forget what it feels like to be ............ When most ............ think about their own youthful indiscretions they do so with a wink and a laugh. But when the same people think about those in today’s generation doing something similar, they .................. sound the alarm about a decline in morality in next generation.
From the options below, choose the one that meaningfully fills up the blanks.

• A. preceding, succeeding, folks, cautiously
• B. young, young, seniors, carefully
• C. successive, young, adults, hypocritically
• D. succeeding, next, people, naturally
• E. old, older, youngsters, sincerely

Hint:

Look for tone words in the passage (“wink and a laugh” vs “sound the alarm”) — they often hint at contrasting attitudes like hypocrisy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Analyze the passage's core message.
The passage describes a pattern where each generation criticizes the succeeding one, disregarding their own past experiences of youth. Adults often dismiss their youthful mistakes while condemning similar behaviors in current young people, highlighting a discrepancy in their judgment.
Step 2: Fill in the conceptual gaps.
- The first blank requires a term indicating one generation following another, so “successive generation” is appropriate. - The second blank refers to the state that is forgotten, which is being “young.” - The third blank identifies the group reflecting on their past, which is the “adults.” - The fourth blank describes the manner of their condemnation, which is “hypocritically,” due to their past actions.
Step 3: Discard incorrect options.
- (A) “cautiously” does not align with the passage's critical tone. - (B) Using “young” twice would be redundant and stylistically poor. - (D) “naturally” fails to convey the element of hypocrisy. - (E) “sincerely” contradicts the observed double standard. Therefore, Option C is the most suitable choice.
Final Answer: \[\boxed{\text{C}}\]