In the passage about the nation and family, choose the correct word to complete the clause "and, indeed, has sometimes been considered as some kind of _____ family".

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: extended

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Continuing the metaphor of the nation as family, the passage says that the nation has sometimes been considered as some kind of blank family. The blank must indicate a family that includes more members than a small nuclear unit, similar to how a nation includes many citizens. The question checks whether the learner recognises the familiar phrase extended family and can apply it in this abstract context.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The sentence equates the nation with a type of family.
  • The idea is that the nation is like a larger version of a family.
  • Options are extended, exhibited, exhorted, exhumed, expanded.
  • We know the common expression for a large family is extended family.


Concept / Approach:
Extended family is a standard term for a family network that includes not only parents and children but also grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. The passage uses the metaphor of familial relations to describe the nation, so calling it some kind of extended family makes perfect sense. Our approach is to see which option forms a familiar collocation with family and matches the idea of including more people within a single social unit.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Try exhibited family. This is not a standard phrase and has no clear meaning. Step 2: Try exhorted family. Exhorted means urged, which cannot sensibly modify family. Step 3: Try exhumed family. Exhumed refers to digging up a body, completely unrelated to this concept. Step 4: Try expanded family. Expanded family is understandable but not the usual technical term. Step 5: Try extended family. This is a familiar, widely used phrase that exactly matches the idea of a larger family unit. Step 6: Conclude that extended is the correct choice.


Verification / Alternative check:
We verify by recalling standard social science terminology, where nuclear family and extended family are basic concepts. It is very common to read that the nation is like an extended family of citizens. None of the other options forms this recognised pair with family. Therefore, the phrase some kind of extended family is the only natural and contextually correct completion of the sentence.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Exhibited: Normally refers to being shown or displayed, and an exhibited family is not a meaningful idea here. Exhorted: Means urged or strongly encouraged and cannot describe a type of family. Exhumed: Refers to removing a buried body, obviously irrelevant in this metaphor. Expanded: While it generally means made larger, the set phrase in social studies is extended family, making extended the more accurate and conventional word. Hence, extended is the only option that truly fits.


Common Pitfalls:
Because extended is very familiar, some learners may overthink and suspect it is a trap, looking for a rarer word instead. However, many exam questions rely on recognising well known collocations. When a simple, standard expression like extended family appears to fit perfectly, it is usually correct and should not be rejected just for being easy.


Final Answer:
The correct answer is extended, completing the clause considered as some kind of extended family.

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