In the passage on the nation, choose the correct word to complete the clause "The nation is often _____ by the metaphor of familial relations".

Introduction / Context:
The passage now explains how people speak about the nation. It says that the nation is often blank by the metaphor of familial relations. The missing verb must indicate that people talk about or represent the nation using family images and comparisons. The question tests recognition of a common collocation in academic writing: described by or described through a metaphor.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase is often blank by the metaphor of familial relations.
• The idea is that the nation is pictured or spoken of as a family.
• Options are defiled, descanted, decried, described, depicted.
• The verb should match with by the metaphor and the neutral tone.

Concept / Approach:
Described is the most natural verb when we talk about how something is represented in language. The structure x is often described by or described through such and such metaphor is standard. Defiled and decried are negative, and descanted is rare and does not fit well with by the metaphor. Depicted could also work in some contexts, but described by the metaphor is the most typical phrasing in theoretical discussion of language and imagery. Our approach is to test each verb for correctness of meaning, preposition, and register.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Try defiled by the metaphor. Defiled means polluted or dishonoured and expresses a strong negative judgment not present in the passage. Step 2: Try descanted by the metaphor. Descanted means talked about at length, but is usually followed by on or upon, not by. Step 3: Try decried by the metaphor. Decried means strongly criticised, which again is not what the sentence is saying. Step 4: Try described by the metaphor. This fits the idea that people explain or express the nation in terms of family relations. Step 5: Try depicted by the metaphor. Depicted is possible, but the canonical academic phrase in such theoretical passages is described by the metaphor. Step 6: Conclude that described is the best and most standard choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
We verify by thinking of similar sentences: The city is often described by the metaphor of a living organism or The company is often described as a family. These examples show that described is the normal verb when explaining how metaphors are used. The passage is analysing language, so description is exactly what matters. Depicted tends to be used more for visual art. Therefore, The nation is often described by the metaphor of familial relations is the most appropriate reading.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Defiled: Carries a strong negative sense of corruption, which does not match the neutral explanatory tone. Descanted: Rare, used with on or upon, and refers to extended talk, not to how something is framed in metaphor. Decried: Means condemned or criticised, clearly not the intention here. Depicted: Closer, but more suited to visual images than to analytical discussion of metaphor in abstract prose. Described is the most accurate word for representing an idea in language.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes pick unusual words like descanted in the belief that difficult vocabulary must be correct. However, exam passages often rely on natural, standard academic English rather than obscure terms. Always check the usual prepositions and the overall tone of the sentence before selecting a fancy word. Here, described is both simple and perfect for the context.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is described, giving the clause The nation is often described by the metaphor of familial relations.