Previous Year Questions

Question :

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

In corporate marketing, public perception plays a crucial role in brand success. One ___(A)___ theory that emerges from crisis management and consumer behavior is the Negative News Spiral, which suggests that a single instance of bad publicity can ___(B)___ a chain reaction, leading to further negative news. When a company faces a scandal, product failure, or ethical controversy, media outlets, competitors, and consumers become ___(C)___ vigilant. This heightened scrutiny often uncovers past issues that were previously overlooked. For example, if a brand is exposed for poor labor practices, journalists and consumers may start investigating its environmental policies, financial transparency, or past ___(D)___ advertisements. This cycle amplifies negative sentiment, making it difficult for companies to regain trust. Social media further accelerates the spiral. Once a brand is trending ___(E)___ the wrong reasons, people start recalling and sharing past grievances, whether relevant or not. Even unrelated minor issues may now be perceived as part of a larger pattern of corporate misconduct. This theory highlights the importance of proactive reputation management. Companies must address initial crises ___(F)___ and transparently before the Negative News Spiral gains momentum. Otherwise, what starts as a single controversy can snowball into a full-blown brand crisis, causing long-term damage to credibility and consumer loyalty.

Which of the following can replace blank (B) in the passage?