In the passage about the quest for a happy life, choose the correct word for the blank: "that happiness lies in the _____ of physical appetites."

Introduction / Context:
This final sentence in the hedonism related part of the passage reads: "Hedonists have a simple notion that happiness lies in the _____ of physical appetites." Hedonism connects happiness with the satisfying of bodily desires. The missing noun must describe the act of satisfying or fulfilling these appetites. Understanding the nuances of each option will guide you to the correct choice.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The phrase "physical appetites" refers to bodily desires such as hunger, thirst, and sexual desire.
- The sentence describes hedonism, which links happiness to satisfaction of such desires.
- Options are "gratification", "simplification", "purification", and "identification".
- The structure "lies in the _____ of" expects a noun that indicates an action related to these appetites.

Concept / Approach:
The noun "gratification" means the act of satisfying a desire or need and the pleasure that results from this satisfaction. This fits perfectly with the hedonistic focus on pleasure through fulfilled physical desires. "Simplification" means making something simpler, not satisfying it. "Purification" involves cleansing or making something pure, often in moral or religious contexts. "Identification" is about recognising or establishing identity. Only "gratification" directly describes satisfying appetites.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret the sentence: Hedonists believe happiness is found when physical desires are fully satisfied. Step 2: Evaluate "gratification". It is widely used in phrases like "instant gratification", meaning immediate satisfaction, especially of physical desires. Step 3: Evaluate "simplification". This relates to processes or ideas becoming less complex, not to the state of having desires fulfilled. Step 4: Evaluate "purification". This suggests making something pure or free from impurities, which might even oppose indulgence in physical appetites. Step 5: Evaluate "identification". This refers to recognising someone or something, unrelated to appetites.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into the sentence. "Happiness lies in the gratification of physical appetites" is a well known and meaningful phrase. The others create awkward or illogical expressions such as "simplification of physical appetites" or "purification of physical appetites", which do not actually convey hedonistic behaviour or beliefs. Therefore, "gratification" is the only option that completes the idea correctly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- "simplification": Does not describe fulfilling desires and gives no sense of pleasure or satisfaction.
- "purification": Often associated with moral or spiritual cleansing, sometimes by denying appetites rather than satisfying them.
- "identification": Refers to recognising something, which has no link to the concept of satisfying physical desires.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates can be tempted by words that seem sophisticated without checking if they make sense in the context. Always ask whether the completed sentence reflects real world usage and logical meaning. Learning collocations such as "gratification of desires" or "gratification of appetites" provides a strong clue in such questions.

Final Answer:
The correct word is gratification, giving "that happiness lies in the gratification of physical appetites."