In the following question, two words are given in bold. Below are three sentences with two blanks each. Identify which of the given sentences can be completed correctly using the two words (in the exact order given) without changing their original context or meaning. Words: Temper, Check 1.    Senior diplomats advised the foreign minister to ____ his public remarks, cautioning that unchecked rhetoric could fail to ____ rising border tensions. 2.    Extreme heat can severely ____ steel during manufacturing, causing quality control inspectors to ____ every batch before shipment leaves the factory. 3.    Unless team leaders learn to ____ their emotional impulses under stress, they cannot effectively ____ the decline in workforce productivity.

Explanation: ·         Sentence 1: o   First blank: Temper (Verb) = Moderate, soften, or tone down o   Second blank: Check (Verb) = Halt, restrain, or stop the progress of something bad. o   Meaning: Temper (soften) public remarks to check (restrain) rising border tensions. (Correct)   ·         Sentence 2: o   First blank: Temper (Verb) = Harden or strengthen metal/glass by heating and cooling o   Second blank: Check (Verb) = Examine or inspect for accuracy/quality o   Meaning: Temper steel in manufacturing / check (inspect) every batch. Fits industrial/science context. (Correct)   ·         Sentence 3: o   First blank: Temper (Verb) = Control or balance one's anger/emotions o   Second blank: Check (Verb) = Arrest, limit, or stop an undesirable decline o   Meaning: Temper (control) emotional impulses to check (stop) productivity decline. (Correct)