In this abstract passage on the concept of the nation, choose the correct word to complete the clause "We have further formulated the _____ of the nation as a territorially extended, yet bounded, social relation".

Introduction / Context:
The passage continues its abstract discussion of the nation by speaking about how thinkers have formulated its meaning. The sentence is We have further formulated the blank of the nation as a territorially extended, yet bounded, social relation for the generation, transmission, and sustenance of life. The missing noun must signal the meaning or sense that the idea of the nation carries, not a specific proposal or job. The question therefore tests knowledge of more advanced academic vocabulary, especially the term purport.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase is formulated the blank of the nation as followed by a descriptive clause.
• Options are profession, purpose, proposition, purport, definition.
• The descriptive clause explains what a nation is in social and territorial terms.
• The required noun should correspond to meaning or sense.

Concept / Approach:
In formal English, purport can mean the meaning, sense, or substance of something, especially a document or statement. When the text says formulated the purport of the nation as, it implies that the authors have clarified the essential meaning of the concept nation. Purpose would shift the focus to the aim or goal of the nation, which does not match the descriptive definition that follows. Our approach is to check which option naturally combines with formulated the blank of and suits the explanatory nature of the clause that follows.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Try profession of the nation. Profession of the nation makes no sense here, as profession refers to occupation or a declared belief. Step 2: Try purpose of the nation. This would refer to what the nation is for, but the following text describes what the nation is, not what it aims to do. Step 3: Try proposition of the nation. Proposition usually refers to a statement or proposal, which does not quite fit this context. Step 4: Try purport of the nation. Purport means essential meaning or substance, which aligns well with the defining clause that follows. Step 5: Consider definition of the nation. While possible in general, this exact word is not given as one of the original options in the exam text and purport better matches the advanced style of the passage. Step 6: Conclude that purport is the most suitable answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by paraphrasing: We have formulated the essential meaning of the nation as a territorially extended, yet bounded, social relation. Substituting purport for essential meaning shows that this is a correct interpretation. Moreover, formulated the purport of is a natural phrase in dense theoretical writing, where authors often discuss the purport of a concept or institution. Purpose, by contrast, would imply that the next clause lists aims or functions rather than a descriptive characterisation. Thus purport is the most accurate choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Profession: Refers to an occupation or an open declaration of belief and is completely out of place here. Purpose: Suggests aim or intention, whereas the sentence that follows is a descriptive definition, not a list of goals. Proposition: Means a statement that expresses a judgment or an offer, which does not match the style of defining a complex social concept. Definition: While semantically close, it is not one of the exam options originally associated with this passage, and the stylistic choice in the known source is purport. Therefore purport best fits meaning, grammar, and register.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners are unfamiliar with the word purport and therefore immediately skip it even when it is the most appropriate answer. They may choose purpose because it is familiar, or proposition because it sounds academic. This highlights the importance of expanding vocabulary into higher level academic words, not just everyday terms. Reading theoretical essays or textbooks can expose students to such usage and improve performance on similar cloze questions.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is purport, giving the clause We have further formulated the purport of the nation as a territorially extended, yet bounded, social relation.