In the following passage about the value of books, choose the most appropriate word to complete the blank: Books are our _____ friends.

Introduction / Context:
This final blank from the passage introduces the central metaphor that books are like friends. The writer wants to stress that books are not artificial or temporary companions but faithful and dependable ones. The blank in Books are our _____ friends needs an adjective that emphasises the genuineness and reliability of books as companions. The options offer several adjectives, but only one matches this common metaphor and the moral tone.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The sentence is: Books are our _____ friends. - Options are fake, original, real and majestic. - The passage praises books as guides that never fail us. - The author wants to show that books are true and dependable companions.

Concept / Approach:
In moral and educational writing, the standard phrase is books are our real friends. This highlights that unlike some human friends who may leave us, books remain with us and help us without selfish motives. Fake friends would contradict the message. Original and majestic do not typically pair with friends in this metaphorical sense. Therefore, we should select real as the adjective that fits both the idiom and the sentiment.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Insert real in the sentence: Books are our real friends. This statement is widely used in essays about reading and clearly communicates the intended idea. Step 2: Test fake. Books are our fake friends completely reverses the meaning, suggesting that books pretend to be helpful but are not, which is opposite to the author's praise. Step 3: Test original. Books are our original friends is an unusual phrase and does not carry the meaning of faithful or genuine companionship. Step 4: Test majestic. Books are our majestic friends sounds poetic but does not directly convey the idea of true and loyal friendship that the passage stresses. Step 5: Conclude that real is the only option that fits the metaphor correctly.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling essays and speeches about reading that you may have studied in school. Many of them contain the line books are our real friends or books are our best friends. This well known expression confirms that real is the appropriate word. The rest of the passage, which describes how books never fail us and help us find answers, supports this interpretation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Fake means not genuine or false. Calling books fake friends would be a criticism, which contradicts the positive description in the passage. Option B: Original does not collocate naturally with friends in this context and would confuse the reader. Option D: Majestic suggests grandeur or impressive beauty, which is not the primary idea here.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to overinterpret the term majestic because it sounds impressive. However, examination passages often rely on simple and familiar phrases, especially in moral lessons. Learners should remember commonly used proverbs and expressions like books are our real friends to quickly recognise the correct word in such blanks.

Final Answer:
The adjective that best completes the sentence is real, so option C is correct.