In the following question, a sentence with a blank is given, followed by five words labeled (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5). Choose the word that fills the blank appropriately in the context of the passage.
Low hemoglobin levels among women remain a pervasive global health concern, often (1) ___ from nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, or socio-economic disparities. In many developing nations, iron-deficiency anemia (2) ___ an alarming proportion of the female population, with consequences that extend beyond fatigue to impair cognitive performance and maternal outcomes. Medical experts emphasize that anemia is often (3)____ insidious, progressing stealthily until severe symptoms manifest. Despite the availability of supplements and fortified foods, adherence to preventive strategies (4) ___ hampered by cultural taboos, misinformation, and healthcare. Furthermore, in many societies, menstruation and related issues are still shrouded in (5)____ obfuscation, limiting open dialogue and delaying early intervention. Addressing this silent epidemic requires not only medical solutions but also robust public health campaigns aimed at education and destigmatization. Bridging the gap between awareness and action is crucial to empowering women and fostering healthier generations.
What does 'insidious' most nearly mean here? (3)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The word “insidious” means something that:
spreads gradually
causes harm in a subtle or unnoticed way
In the sentence:
“anemia is often insidious, progressing stealthily…”
It suggests the disease is not obvious at first and quietly harmful, which matches “deceptive”
Why others are incorrect:
Sudden → opposite of gradual
Violent → too strong and direct
Predictable → unrelated meaning
Hindi meaning:
Insidious = छिपा हुआ, धीरे-धीरे नुकसान पहुँचाने वाला