Question 4: Which of the following is the most appropriate option to…

Directions : In the following passage, some of the words have been left out and replaced with blanks represented by letters. First, read the passage and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blanks as per the questions given.

One major way the brain and heart communicate is through the autonomic nervous system. Think of the autonomic nervous system as a network of paths that ___(A)___ different brain areas to many bodily organs. It helps regulate processes that you are not generally aware of, like your heartbeat or breathing, or how fast the food you eat is digested. The connections between the autonomic nervous system and the organs can be ___(B)___ into two parts: sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system mostly pitches in during times of ___(C)___ or excitement, like if you ever need to run away from a dangerous animal, or when you feel motivated. The parasympathetic nervous system promotes relaxation of the body and supports vital functions like digestion. Thinking in terms of the body’s band, the way the brain and heart communicate through the autonomic nervous system is like the singer and drummer silently communicating with gestures and ___(D)___ expressions. If the singer delivers the lyrics with more urgency, the drummer needs to match the intensity, similar to how the brain’s sympathetic signaling can increase the heart rate. A gentler, more relaxed style of singing ___(E)___ cues the drummer to slow down, just as parasympathetic activity slows the heartbeat.