Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks.

‘Innocents Abroad’ was greeted with an ________ that made Mark Twain a celebrity overnight, though with too much ________ of a kind that was to persist throughout his career.

‘Innocents Abroad’ is a book by Mark Twain and this book would have been greeted with zeal or enthusiasm that made him a celebrity overnight. Of all the options, ‘enthusiasm’ in (2) and ‘ardor’ in (5) seems to fit the blank. Let us look for the second blank. ‘Though’ in the latter part of the sentence sets up the contrast, which signifies a negative connotation to the second blank. ‘Clemency’ in (5) means compassion, charity, which is contrary to our prediction and is hence, is ruled out. ‘Misunderstanding’ in option (2) fits our prediction and gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (2) is the answer.