SSC Stenographer 2025 PYQ — Question 115

SSC Stenographer - 07 Aug 2025 - Shift 2 • English • Q115

In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.

In modern societies, the concept of freedom is often celebrated as an essential right. However, true freedom is not the absence of rules but the presence of thoughtful (1)_____. Without it, freedom risks turning into chaos, where individual actions undermine collective welfare. A society that prizes only personal liberty without shared responsibility may soon face moral and civic (2)_____. While people often equate freedom with doing as they please, meaningful liberty requires a commitment to boundaries that preserve dignity and (3)_____ for all. This balance is difficult to maintain, especially in democracies where voices are many and interests often (4)_____. Yet, it is precisely through dialogue, compromise, and mutual respect that freedom finds its most enduring expression. In the end, freedom divorced from responsibility is not progress, but a subtle (5)_____ of what it truly means to be free.

What would come in (2)

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

In the context of the passage, the sentence describes a negative consequence for a society that values "personal liberty without shared responsibility". The preceding sentences mention that without responsibility, freedom turns into chaos and individual actions undermine collective welfare. Therefore, "collapse" is the most appropriate term as it signifies a sudden failure or breakdown of moral and civic structures within such a society.