In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and then select the option that best fills the blank: National integration means _____ all the people of the nation into a single whole.

Introduction / Context:
This cloze test sentence comes from a passage about national integration. The passage explains what national integration means and how it unites people of different religions, castes, languages and histories. The blank in this sentence focuses on the core idea of bringing all people together into a single whole.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence fragment: “National integration means _____ all the people of the nation into a single whole.”
• Options: segregating, combining, residing, complying.
• National integration is a positive concept about unity, not separation or mere residence.
• We assume the passage continues by talking about binding people in one common bond.

Concept / Approach:
National integration is about unity and oneness among citizens. The verb we choose must express the idea of bringing people together, not pushing them apart. Combining means putting things together into a single unit or whole, which matches the phrase “into a single whole”. Segregating means separating, which is the opposite of integration. Residing refers to living somewhere, and complying means obeying rules. Neither of these captures the core idea of unity in this context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the key words around the blank: “all the people of the nation” and “into a single whole”.Recognise that the phrase describes process of bringing together diverse groups.Option Segregating: means dividing or separating people, which contradicts “single whole”.Option Residing: simply means living, which does not necessarily imply unity.Option Complying: means obeying rules or requests; it is about behaviour towards authority, not about unity.Option Combining: means bringing together or uniting different elements into one whole, perfectly fitting the definition of national integration.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the completed sentence: “National integration means combining all the people of the nation into a single whole.” This reads naturally and matches textbook definitions: national integration is the feeling of oneness among people of a country. If you substitute segregating, the sentence becomes self contradictory because segregation divides rather than unites.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Segregating is almost the exact opposite of integrating; it focuses on separation by race, caste or other criteria. Residing does not say anything about unity; people can reside in a country without being integrated. Complying relates to obeying laws or rules but does not express the emotional or social unity needed for integration. Only combining expresses the idea of merging different groups into a single national community.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students choose complying because they associate national integration with following national laws. However, the phrase “into a single whole” clearly signals a more emotional or social union than simple obedience. Always read the words before and after the blank carefully; here, they clearly point to combining as the best answer.

Final Answer:
The blank should be filled with combining, making the sentence: “National integration means combining all the people of the nation into a single whole.”