English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST paraphrase of the bolded expression. Sentence: “Dowry is a burning question of the day.”

Introduction / Context:
Phrases like “burning question” or “burning issue” are journalistic idioms that signal urgency and widespread public attention. In social-policy discussions, they refer to topics that are hotly discussed, contested, or debated in the present moment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The collocation “burning question of the day” indicates currency and intensity.
• Domain context: a contentious social practice (dowry).
• We must select the single closest paraphrase.

Concept / Approach:

The idiom emphasizes heat (metaphorically: urgency and controversy). That aligns directly with “a widely debated issue.” Options suggesting decline (“dying issue”), irrelevance, or triviality contradict the metaphor. “A relevant problem” is too mild and lacks the “hotly discussed” nuance central to the idiom.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Identify the metaphor: “burning” → urgent, hotly debated.2) Compare candidates for intensity and recency.3) Select “a widely debated issue” as the crisp match.4) Reject weaker or contrary descriptions (dying, irrelevant, minor).

Verification / Alternative check:

Paraphrase in news style: “Dowry remains a hot-button issue today.” This equals “a widely debated issue.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

a dying issue: Opposite of “burning.”a relevant problem: Lacks the “heated debate” aspect.an irrelevant issue / a minor historical footnote: Contradict the idiom’s emphasis.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing “relevant” with “urgent.” Relevance does not imply widespread debate or immediacy.

Final Answer:

a widely debated issue