Double-blank sentence completion (collocations/logic): Choose the pair that best completes the sentence “This, partly, explains how the Mehta family has been able to ______ its lavish lifestyle in recent times, despite the fact that all its assets have been ______.” Select the pair that yields a coherent and idiomatic sentence.

Given data

• Part 1 verb must collocate with “lavish lifestyle.”
• Part 2 past participle must make sense with “all its assets have been …”.

Concept/Approach
Idiomatic expression is “keep up (a lifestyle).” For assets, “destroyed” makes logical sense with “despite the fact …” (paradox noted by “This, partly, explains …”).

Option analysis

• keep up, destroyed — correct collocation and logical contrast.
• keep, removed — “keep a lifestyle” is weaker; “assets removed” is vague.
• afford, attached — “assets attached” is legal jargon (seized), but “afford its lavish lifestyle” clashes with “despite … assets attached.”
• develop, liquidated — you don’t “develop” a lifestyle; “assets liquidated” can fit, but first verb fails.

Common pitfalls
Ignoring fixed phrases like “keep up a lifestyle.”

Final Answer
keep up, destroyed