Directions: In each of the following questions there are three blank spaces. Below each question there are some options and each option consist of three words which can be filled up in the blanks of the statement(s) to make the statement grammatically correct. Choose the correct alternative among the options given below. His ________ pursuit of the truth led to the ________ that ________ solved the long-standing mystery.

### Concept & Vocabulary In Context Look for cause-and-effect narrative relationships. The sentence describes a specific type of effort (pursuit) that directly causes a significant outcome (solving a mystery). ### Step-by-Step Solution - **First blank:** Describes a pursuit that successfully solves a difficult mystery. It demands an adjective representing persistence and determination. "Tenacious" (tending to keep a firm hold of something; determined) fits perfectly. Words like "apathetic" or "indifferent" are exact opposites of what is required. - **Second blank:** What does a determined pursuit yield? A "breakthrough" (a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development) is the logical result. - **Third blank:** An adverb is needed to modify "solved". Since it was a "long-standing" mystery, "ultimately" (finally; in the end) provides the perfect concluding sentiment. - Option (b) builds a logical, cohesive narrative: Persistent effort leads to a major discovery which finally provides the solution. ### Exam Strategy & Shortcut Identify the narrative arc. The sentence moves from intense effort to final success. The first word must be a positive trait for effort, instantly eliminating (d) and (e). The second must be a word for a sudden success, eliminating (a) and (c). ### Common Pitfall Selecting words that might loosely fit a single blank but fail to construct a coherent, logical sentence when combined. A "conundrum" pursuit in option (c) makes no grammatical or logical sense. ### Final Answer Therefore, the correct answer is **B**.