In this passage, select the correct word to complete the blank: “______________ the process, representatives have forgotten the history of their own societies.”

Introduction / Context:
This blank occurs in a formal passage describing how representatives behave while dealing with the Central government. The phrase we are completing must fit a very common English expression that links an action with an unintended side effect. The sentence explains that in doing something, representatives have forgotten the history of their own societies.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence fragment: ______________ the process, representatives have forgotten the history of their own societies.
• Options: As, So, Into, In.
• The surrounding sentence context is critical to choosing the correct preposition or connector.

Concept / Approach:
The standard phrase used in English to express something that happens as a side effect while a process is going on is in the process. For example, In the process, we lost sight of our original goal. So the correct word here should be in, forming the phrase in the process. The other options either change the meaning or produce unidiomatic expressions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the expression in the process, which means while doing something, and as a result of that. Step 2: Insert in into the sentence: In the process, representatives have forgotten the history of their own societies. This is grammatical and natural. Step 3: Test As. As the process, representatives have forgotten the history is incorrect because As the process does not form a meaningful phrase. Step 4: Test So. So the process, representatives have forgotten the history is not a correct structure in English. Step 5: Test Into. Into the process, representatives have forgotten the history is also ungrammatical and does not convey the intended sense. Step 6: Conclude that only In leads to a recognised idiomatic phrase: In the process.
Verification / Alternative check:
Consider similar sentences: The company focused on cutting costs and, in the process, lost many talented employees. The government introduced reforms and, in the process, created new inequalities. In both cases, in the process signals a consequence or side effect of the main action. Using the same phrase in the passage fits perfectly with the idea that representatives, while playing into the hands of the Central government, have forgotten their own history.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• As: Could start a clause such as As the process continues, but As the process alone is incomplete and does not match the sentence structure.
• So: Usually functions as an adverb or conjunction, not as part of the phrase so the process in this type of structure, so it fails.
• Into: Indicates movement towards the inside of something and does not fit with the abstract noun process in this context.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may not recognise the fixed expression in the process and may try to interpret the sentence word by word, leading them to consider As incorrectly. Another pitfall is thinking of literal spatial meaning for into and in, but here process is an abstract noun, and the expression is idiomatic. Memorising common discourse markers like in the process, in addition, and on the other hand is very helpful for cloze tests.

Final Answer:
The correct word is In, forming the phrase In the process.