Direction: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

There was a general hesitation and ______ to ignore the problem.

Key Points 

• The word "demur" fits in the blank because it means to express hesitation, reluctance, or objection. (किसी बात पर आपत्ति करने या झिझकने की क्रिया या भाव)
• In the context of the sentence, it suggests that people were not readily willing to ignore the problem; instead, there was a collective sense of hesitation or reservation about doing so.
• The correct answer is option 2.
   

Correct sentence: There was a general hesitation and demur to ignore the problem.

Additional Information  

• Denigrate: to criticize somebody/something in an unfair way; to state that somebody/something is not good and does not have any importance or value. ((अनुचित तरीक़े से) आलोचना करना; नीचा दिखाना (महत्व या मूल्य कम करके); बुराई करना; बदनाम करना)
• Disposition: prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination. (प्रचलित प्रवृत्ति, मनोदशा, या झुकाव)
• Deride: to say that somebody/something is ridiculous; to laugh at something in a cruel way. (किसी को हास्‍यास्‍पद बताना; किसी का कठोरता से उपहास करना)