Continuing the passage on truth and moral principles, choose the word that best completes the phrase: “amounts to ______ another soul of its right”.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: depriving

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the same passage discussing truth, moral responsibility, and the right to know. The specific sentence says that keeping a person in the dark or denying them knowledge “amounts to ______ another soul of its right to know”. We must choose the verb that expresses the idea of taking away a rightful claim.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The phrase is “amounts to ______ another soul of its right”.
  • The context is that hiding truth from someone can be morally wrong.
  • Options are: destroying, disturbing, sustaining, depriving.
  • The missing word must mean taking away or denying a right.


Concept / Approach:
The standard expression in English is “to deprive someone of a right”, meaning to take that right away. The structure “depriving another soul of its right” is idiomatic and fits the idea that the person should have that knowledge but has been denied it. The other options do not fit as well with “of its right” and do not express the same sense of denial or removal.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the object phrase “another soul of its right”. This suggests that a right is being taken away. Step 2: Review common collocations in English such as “depriving someone of a right”, “destroying someone's right”, “disturbing someone's right”. Step 3: “Depriving” is the verb that naturally pairs with “of its right”, forming the phrase “depriving another soul of its right”. Step 4: Check the sentence with Option D inserted: “amounts to depriving another soul of its right to know that with which it has a connection”. This is meaningful and correct. Step 5: Notice that the other verbs either change the meaning or sound awkward: “destroying another soul of its right” is not idiomatic; “disturbing” or “sustaining” do not describe removal of a right.


Verification / Alternative check:
In legal and moral discussions, phrases like “depriving a citizen of rights” or “deprived of liberty” are standard. They always involve someone being denied something they are entitled to. The passage argues that withholding truth denies a person the knowledge they deserve, which matches the sense of “depriving”. This confirms that Option D is the correct and natural choice.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: “destroying” focuses on complete damage or ruin, and the phrase “destroying another soul of its right” is not a standard English expression. Option B: “disturbing” means upsetting or interrupting and does not involve removing a right. Option C: “sustaining” means supporting or maintaining, which is opposite to the idea of taking away a right.


Common Pitfalls:
Some students may select a verb that sounds intense, like “destroying”, without checking if it forms an idiomatic phrase with “of its right”. Whenever there is a pattern like “verb + someone + of + right”, “depriving” is usually the correct verb. Learning such collocations greatly helps in cloze tests and error spotting questions.


Final Answer:
Keeping someone in ignorance about a truth that concerns them “amounts to” depriving another soul of its right. Therefore, the correct answer is “depriving”.

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