In the passage, choose the correct word to fill the blank: moral politics ______________ requires a Gandhian inventiveness of ritual and politics.

Introduction / Context:

This cloze passage question tests your understanding of relative pronouns and how they link clauses together. The sentence fragment describes moral politics and then adds a clause explaining something about it. You must choose the word that correctly introduces this relative clause, keeping the sentence grammatical and clear.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence fragment: moral politics ______________ requires a Gandhian inventiveness of ritual and politics.
• Options: which, why, where, what.
• The noun phrase moral politics is followed by a verb requires, so the blank must introduce a clause referring back to moral politics.
• We assume a formal, analytical context discussing ethics and political practice.

Concept / Approach:

Relative pronouns like which, who, and that are used to introduce additional information about a noun. In the sentence, we want to say that moral politics requires a Gandhian inventiveness. The word which is the standard relative pronoun used after an abstract noun in such formal writing. Why is used mainly after reason, where is used for places, and what usually introduces a noun clause rather than a relative clause referring to a preceding noun.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Consider how similar sentences are structured: A system which demands honesty from its leaders or A philosophy which emphasises non violence. In each case, which introduces a clause that adds more information about the preceding noun phrase. The sentence moral politics which requires a Gandhian inventiveness fits this same pattern, confirming that which is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Why is wrong because it is used to introduce a reason clause, usually after the word reason, as in the reason why, not to refer to a noun like politics.

Where is wrong because it refers to locations or places, for example, the city where I live, not to abstract ideas like moral politics.

What is wrong in this context because it normally introduces clauses like what I want, not clauses describing a previous noun.

Common Pitfalls:

Some candidates choose what or why because these words are common in question formation. However, in relative clauses, which is often the safest choice after abstract nouns. Another pitfall is not paying attention to how the sentence would sound if read aloud. Pronouns that do not fit produce an immediate sense of wrongness when the sentence is spoken or mentally heard.

Final Answer:

The correct word to fill the blank is which, giving moral politics which requires a Gandhian inventiveness of ritual and politics.