In the following vocabulary based sentence completion question, choose the correct word to fill the blank: Vivekananda ______ the young to "arise" and "awake", urging them to reject all doctrines and dogmas that were based on superstition and prejudice.

Introduction / Context:
This sentence completion item is based on vocabulary related to giving advice and strong encouragement. It refers to Swami Vivekananda, a well known spiritual leader who addressed the youth of India with powerful calls to action such as "arise" and "awake". To answer correctly, you must choose the verb that best describes his forceful appeal to young people to reject superstition and prejudice.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The blank comes before "the young to arise and awake".
• The rest of the sentence speaks about rejecting doctrines and dogmas that were based on superstition and prejudice.
• The options given are "flattered", "lauded", "exhorted", and "commended".
• The tone of Vivekananda's message is urgent and motivational rather than merely praising.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is that Vivekananda strongly urged the young to take action. The verb "exhort" means to strongly encourage, urge, or advise someone to do something, particularly in a moral or spiritual context. This perfectly matches the description of his speeches. On the other hand, "flatter" means to praise insincerely, "laud" means to praise highly, and "commend" means to praise or recommend. None of these words captures the sense of an urgent call to action as accurately as "exhorted".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the context: Vivekananda is famous for inspiring speeches such as "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached".Recognise that the sentence describes a forceful appeal, not simple praise.Review the meaning of each option: "flattered" implies insincere praise, "lauded" and "commended" are forms of praise or approval, and "exhorted" means strongly urged or encouraged.Match "exhorted" with the idea of urging youth to reject superstition and prejudice.Choose "exhorted" as the only option that fully fits the context.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert "exhorted" into the sentence: "Vivekananda exhorted the young to arise and awake, to reject all doctrines and dogmas that were based on superstition and prejudice." This sounds natural and historically accurate. Replacing it with "flattered", "lauded", or "commended" makes the sentence odd because those verbs would imply that he praised the youth rather than urging them to change their thinking.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "flattered", suggests insincere compliments aimed at winning favour, which does not match the serious, reformist tone of Vivekananda. Option B, "lauded", only implies praising, not calling people to action. Option D, "commended", similarly means praise or approval but lacks any sense of urging or exhortation. Only "exhorted" carries the meaning of strong moral encouragement.

Common Pitfalls:
Some test takers may confuse "lauded" and "commended" with words that indicate motivation simply because they appear in positive contexts. Others may not know the precise meaning of "exhorted" and therefore avoid it. It is useful to build a mental link between "exhort" and motivational speeches or sermons that urge listeners to act, which helps in future vocabulary questions of this type.

Final Answer:
The correct word to fill the blank is exhorted, because Vivekananda strongly urged the young to "arise" and "awake".