Each question below has two blanks, which is indicating

Solution

The sentence talks about a country with a very large population and a demographic trend that will take time to show its effect.

• Populous means having a large population. This word is the most direct and accurate descriptor for such a nation.
• . Declining fits this description perfectly, as it refers to a decrease in numbers. While India's population is still growing, the growth rate is declining, and in some countries like China, the population itself has started to decline. Therefore, "populous" and "declining" are the words that logically complete the sentence.
• Deserted, Improving (A): The words are unrelated. A deserted place is empty, while improving means getting better.
• Brigaded, Developing (B): Brigaded means organized into a brigade or group, while developing means growing or changing.
• Unpopulated, Stagnant (D): While an unpopulated area might be stagnant, the words aren't antonyms or direct correlates in a way that makes this the best fit.
• Sparse, Soaring (E): Sparse means thinly scattered, while soaring means flying or rising high. They are not directly related.