In this passage about democracy and dictatorship, choose the verb that best completes the blank in the clause: “The conditions under which democracy can _______ are difficult to define … ”

Introduction / Context:
This cloze question tests your understanding of vocabulary and the metaphorical language often used for political systems. The passage contrasts the slow, organic development of democracy with the rapid rise of dictators. You must choose the verb that best completes the phrase “democracy can _______” in a sentence about conditions that allow democracy to develop successfully.

Given Data / Assumptions:

1) The sentence reads: “The conditions under which democracy can _______ are difficult to define”.
2) The options are: grow, end, rise, flourish.
3) The sentence talks about favourable conditions for democracy.
4) The passage later mentions that democracy is always a slow growth, while dictators may rise quickly.
5) We need a verb that matches “conditions under which” and reflects positive, successful development.

Concept / Approach:
In English, we often describe institutions, ideas and systems using plant metaphors: they can “grow” and “flourish” under favourable conditions. Both “grow” and “flourish” seem possible at first glance, but one word fits more naturally with this formal, abstract context. “Flourish” specifically suggests thriving and being highly successful, which matches the idea of democracy doing well under suitable conditions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Eliminate clearly negative or illogical options. “end” cannot be correct because the sentence is about positive conditions, not the death of democracy. Step 2: Consider “rise”: we usually say “dictators rise to power”, not “democracy rises to power”. The passage later uses “dictators may rise to power”, so “rise” is reserved for dictators, not democracy. Step 3: Compare “grow” and “flourish”. Both can work with abstract nouns, but “grow” is more neutral and basic, while “flourish” strongly emphasises thriving under good conditions. Step 4: Note that the same sentence later says “democracy is always a slow growth”. Since “growth” is already used as a noun, using “grow” as the earlier verb would be repetitive and stylistically weak. Step 5: “democracy can flourish” is a very common expression meaning democracy can thrive when the environment is right. Step 6: Therefore, “flourish” is the best verb to complete the blank.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full clause: “The conditions under which democracy can flourish are difficult to define; but one thing is clear, that democracy is always a slow growth.” This sounds polished and natural in formal English. Replacing “flourish” with “grow” makes the style weaker and less idiomatic, and replacing it with “rise” or “end” contradicts the meaning of the sentence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“grow” is possible in meaning but less precise and stylistically weaker than “flourish”, especially when “growth” appears later in the same sentence. “end” is the opposite of what is intended; we are not talking about the conditions for democracy to die. “rise” is typically used with individuals or regimes (“dictators rise to power”), not with the abstract concept of democracy flourishing.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often rush and pick the first verb that seems compatible, such as “grow”, without considering repetition and stylistic nuance. Another pitfall is ignoring clues from the rest of the passage; the later contrast with dictators “rising” hints that “rise” belongs with dictators, not democracy. Always read beyond the single blank and consider how the sentence fits into the whole paragraph.

Final Answer:
The verb that best completes the sentence is flourish.