Read the following passage and answer the given questions. The latest retail inflation data once again highlights the continuous volatility in food prices, which **continues** to impact overall inflation and economic growth, particularly personal consumption. In February, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained almost unchanged from the previous month at 5.09%. However, food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index, rose by 36 basis points to 8.66%. Among food items, vegetable prices remained the most concerning, with inflation in this category surging to 30.3% year-on-year—an increase of 315 basis points from January. Cereal inflation, the most significant component in the food index, remained high at 7.6%, only slightly lower than January’s 7.83%. The widely consumed potato-onion-tomato group _______________________ vegetable inflation. Potato prices, which had declined by nearly 2% in January, shot up to 12.4% inflation. Onion prices surged by 22.1%, while tomato inflation rose by nearly 400 basis points to reach a six-month high of 42%. Data from the Department of Consumer Affairs' daily monitoring dashboard indicates no relief, with average retail prices of potatoes, onions, and tomatoes as of March 14 being 21.3%, 41.4%, and 35.2% higher, respectively, compared to a year ago. Despite government interventions, such as a three-month-old ban on onion exports, prices remain stubbornly high. The outlook remains grim, with onion production in the 2023-24 horticulture year expected to decline by over 15.6% and potato production estimated to drop by nearly 2%, as per the Ministry of Agriculture’s First Advance Estimates released on March 7. Additionally, water storage levels at 150 reservoirs were at 40% of capacity as of March 14, lagging behind both the 10-year average and last year's levels. This shortfall is particularly severe in the southern region, where the deficit is 29%. Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Michael Patra recently warned that high food inflation is weighing heavily on private consumption, which constitutes 57% of GDP, especially in rural areas. To ensure **balance** in economic growth, inflation must be controlled. With elections approaching, policymakers face the challenge of preventing a worsening economic situation in the coming months by implementing more regulated measures and improving the **handle** of food price stability to ensure economic resilience.
Which of the following is most suitable to fill the given blank?

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**Solution:**

1. The sentence requires a phrase that correctly connects the subject "potato-onion-tomato group" with the effect on vegetable inflation.

2. Option (a) "played a key role to drive" is grammatically incorrect because "to drive" is not the correct form after "played a key role".

3. Option (b) "playing an essential part" is a present participle phrase and does not fit well with the past tense context of the sentence.

4. Option (c) "played a key role in driving" is grammatically correct and idiomatic. The phrase "played a key role in driving" properly links the subject with the impact on inflation.

5. Option (d) "in a crucial role" is incomplete and does not form a proper phrase to fit the sentence.

**Answer:** (c) played a key role in driving

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