In this passage about Bengaluru's history, choose the noun that best completes the phrase "let me explain that ______ for a \"peaceful\" past apart, it would be difficult to assert that \"Asia's Silicon Valley\" had even a history of toleration of difference".

Introduction / Context:
The passage reflects critically on Bengaluru's image. The writer says, "let me explain that ______ for a 'peaceful' past apart, it would be difficult to assert that 'Asia's Silicon Valley' had even a history of toleration of difference." This question asks you to supply the noun that correctly fits this structure and meaning. It checks both vocabulary and sensitivity to collocations, especially when used with the preposition "for".

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We focus on the fragment "that ______ for a 'peaceful' past apart".
• Options: nostalgia, remorse, sentimentality, memories.
• The context is about how people might feel about an allegedly peaceful past of the city.
• We must pick the noun that works naturally before "for a peaceful past".

Concept / Approach:
In English, certain emotion nouns pair strongly with "for" when we talk about feelings directed toward the past. The phrase "nostalgia for a past time" or "nostalgia for the old days" is very common, expressing a bittersweet longing for what once was. The sentence suggests that, except for such emotional attachment to the idea of a peaceful past, there is not much real historical basis for calling Bengaluru tolerant. This clearly points toward "nostalgia". Other options describe different emotions that do not fit as well with the preposition and context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the pattern: "that ______ for a 'peaceful' past apart". We need a noun that takes "for" and can refer to an emotional attitude toward the past. Step 2: Consider "nostalgia": it literally means sentimental longing for the past. The expression "nostalgia for a peaceful past" is idiomatic and fits the idea that people remember the past as better than it really was. Step 3: Check "remorse": this means deep regret or guilt for a wrong one has done. We usually say "remorse for his actions", not "remorse for a peaceful past". It does not match the context of idealising the past. Step 4: Evaluate "sentimentality": this suggests excessive tenderness or emotionalism, but we generally do not say "sentimentality for a past"; instead idioms use "sentimentality about". Step 5: Look at "memories": we say "memories of a peaceful past", not "memories for a peaceful past". The preposition does not fit. Step 6: Conclude that "nostalgia" is the only option that fits both meaning and preposition: "nostalgia for a peaceful past apart…".

Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the sentence with "nostalgia": "let me explain that, nostalgia for a 'peaceful' past apart, it would be difficult to assert that 'Asia's Silicon Valley' had even a history of toleration of difference." This means that aside from people's emotional longing for a supposedly peaceful past, there is little evidence of real tolerance. This reading is coherent and stylistically natural. Substituting the other options makes the sentence clumsy or illogical.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• remorse: Implies guilt or regret, which does not match the idea of idealising or fondly remembering the past.
• sentimentality: While related to emotion, it does not form the idiom "sentimentality for a past"; the usual phrase would be "sentimentality about something".
• memories: Needs the preposition "of" rather than "for", and emphasises recollections, not the emotional longing captured by "nostalgia".

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners focus only on rough meaning and think any "emotional word" will do, without checking how it combines with prepositions. However, collocation is crucial in high level English questions. Pairings like "nostalgia for", "remorse for", "memories of", and "sentimentality about" are all relatively fixed. Remembering such patterns helps you quickly eliminate wrong options even if the general theme of the words is similar.

Final Answer:
The correct noun is nostalgia, giving the natural phrase "nostalgia for a 'peaceful' past apart".