In this passage about democracy and dictatorship, choose the adjective that best completes the blank: “but one thing is _______ that democracy is always a slow growth … ”

Introduction / Context:
This cloze test focuses on a widely used expression in English: “one thing is clear”. In the passage, the writer admits that the exact conditions for democracy to flourish are hard to define, but then moves on to assert something definite about democracy’s nature. Your job is to select the adjective that makes this contrast logical and idiomatic.

Given Data / Assumptions:

1) The sentence reads: “The conditions under which democracy can flourish are difficult to define; but one thing is _______ that democracy is always a slow growth”.
2) The options are: stated, dictated, clear, hazy.
3) The first clause emphasises uncertainty or difficulty.
4) The second clause introduces something definite about democracy.
5) The whole structure suggests a contrast between “hard to define” and “one thing is definitely true”.

Concept / Approach:
In English, the common pattern is “it is clear that …” and “one thing is clear: …”. The adjective “clear” signals certainty and removes doubt. None of the other options (“stated”, “dictated”, “hazy”) fit naturally after “one thing is”. We must choose the adjective that expresses the idea of certainty and contrasts with the earlier difficulty in defining conditions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase “one thing is _______ that … ”, which normally carries the sense “one fact is certain that … ”. Step 2: Test “clear”: “one thing is clear that democracy is always a slow growth” is a standard and meaningful expression. Step 3: Test “stated”: “one thing is stated that … ” is not idiomatic; we might say “it is stated that …”, but not “one thing is stated that …”. Step 4: Test “dictated”: “one thing is dictated that …” sounds strange and would carry the wrong meaning of being imposed. Step 5: Test “hazy”: “one thing is hazy that … ” contradicts the idea of something being definite; “hazy” means unclear. Step 6: Therefore “clear” is the only natural and logical adjective to use here.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full sentence with “clear”: “The conditions under which democracy can flourish are difficult to define; but one thing is clear that democracy is always a slow growth.” The contrast becomes sharp: although many details are hard to define, one central fact is certain. No other option maintains this contrast between uncertainty (difficult to define) and certainty (one thing is clear).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“stated” is usually used in passive constructions like “it is stated”, not after “one thing is”. “dictated” introduces the idea of being forced or imposed, which is unrelated to the meaning here. “hazy” means unclear or vague, which would make the sentence self-contradictory: the author would be saying “one thing is unclear that … ”.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes learners ignore the contrast signalled by “but” and pick any word that seems formal, such as “stated” or “dictated”. Another common error is not recognising fixed phrases; “one thing is clear” is such a common pattern that you should immediately see it when given the right option. Always pay attention to whether the sentence is moving towards certainty or uncertainty and choose vocabulary accordingly.

Final Answer:
The adjective that best completes the sentence is clear.