In the passage on voting behaviour, select the word that best completes the sentence: "Another theory is that people vote in return for ___________."

Introduction / Context:
This question again refers to the passage on voting and asks you to select the most suitable noun to complete the phrase people vote in return for ___________. The passage is explaining different theories about why people vote, including one that connects voting behaviour to material benefits or temptations offered before elections. The correct choice must express this idea accurately and formally.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence says Another theory is that people vote in return for something.
• The context is election campaigns and voter behaviour.
• The options are bribes, favours, inducements, help, services.
• The passage is written in a formal analytical tone.

Concept / Approach:
In political science and election studies, inducements is a common term used for benefits, gifts, or incentives offered to persuade people to act in a particular way, such as voting for a candidate. It is more formal and neutral than bribes and matches the style of an academic passage. The correct word must cover both material benefits and other persuasive offers, without necessarily implying an illegal act. Inducements therefore fits best.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand that the sentence describes a theory that links voting to receiving benefits.Step 2: Recognise that we need a noun that refers broadly to incentives or benefits offered to voters.Step 3: Compare bribes, favours, inducements, help, and services in terms of meaning and tone.Step 4: Notice that inducements refers exactly to offers that are designed to persuade someone to do something.Step 5: Choose inducements because it fits both the political context and the formal style of the passage.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert inducements into the sentence: Another theory is that people vote in return for inducements. This is a standard expression in discussions of clientelism and vote buying. If you substitute bribes the sentence becomes more specific and legally charged, while the original passage is describing theories calmly and neutrally. Favours, help, and services are too vague or informal to capture the precise idea of deliberate incentives offered before an election.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• bribes: This word is very strong and specifically refers to illegal or corrupt payments. The passage uses a more neutral, academic term.
• favours: Favours can be personal or social, not specifically linked to systematic electoral benefits.
• help: This is too general and does not necessarily imply a transactional motive linked to voting behaviour.
• services: This might refer to work or assistance provided, but it does not clearly indicate persuasive offers before voting.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates jump to bribes because they associate elections with corruption. However, exam passages often prefer neutral terms and may be talking about both legal and illegal benefits. It is important to read the tone and style of the passage and choose words like inducements that match that tone while still conveying the idea of incentives.

Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is inducements.