In the same theoretical passage on the nation, choose the correct word to complete the phrase "as a territorially _____, yet bounded, social relation".

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: extended

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The passage describes the nation as a social relation that covers a wide territory but still has boundaries. The clause we must complete is as a territorially blank, yet bounded, social relation. The missing adjective must show that the relation spreads over a wide area of land while still remaining limited. The question tests understanding of subtle differences between words like extended and extensive when combined with territorially.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The key phrase is territorially blank, yet bounded.
  • The nation is said to cover a considerable amount of territory.
  • Options are extended, extrapolated, excessive, extensive, expanded.
  • The chosen word must collocate well with territorially and match the abstract style.


Concept / Approach:
Extended means stretched out or spread over a distance, especially from a starting point. In this context, territorially extended suggests that the social relation stretches over an area beyond local or family scale. Extensive can also mean large in range, but the combination territorially extended is the more precise and idiomatic phrase in this known passage. Our approach is to test each adjective and see which produces a natural, coherent description of a bounded but wide territorial relation.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Try extrapolated. Extrapolated refers to drawing conclusions from data and does not fit with territorially. Step 2: Try excessive. Excessive means too much and suggests judgment, not physical spread. Step 3: Try extensive. Territorially extensive is possible in English, but the known exam passage uses extended, and extensive combined with yet bounded is slightly less exact. Step 4: Try expanded. Expanded implies a process of growth, but territorially expanded, yet bounded is less idiomatic than territorially extended, yet bounded. Step 5: Try extended. Territorially extended, yet bounded nicely captures the idea of a relation stretched over space but still limited by borders. Step 6: Conclude that extended offers the best match in both meaning and style.


Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by checking the logical contrast: territorially extended, yet bounded means that the relation spreads over a significant area but has limits. This contrast makes sense for a nation that is larger than local kin groups but still limited by national boundaries. Extended naturally expresses this. Extensive could be used in another sentence, but extended fits more closely with the idea of stretching a relation over territory, and it is the wording used in well known versions of the passage. Thus, extended is the most appropriate answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Extrapolated: Associated with data analysis, not physical or social territory. Excessive: Introduces an idea of too much that is not present in the original concept and fails to link with territory. Extensive: While partly reasonable, it is not the canonical expression in this context, and the subtle emphasis on stretching a relation suits extended better. Expanded: Refers to process rather than state and does not collocate as smoothly with territorially. Therefore, extended is superior to all other options.


Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose extensive because students know the phrase extensive territory. However, they miss the nuance of extended, which more strongly conveys stretching a social relation across space. In cloze tests drawn from specific academic texts, it is important to pay attention not only to raw meaning but also to the style of the passage and the likely original wording.


Final Answer:
The correct answer is extended, completing the phrase as a territorially extended, yet bounded, social relation.

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