Directions: Read the paragraph carefully, which contains two blanks. Choose the pair of words that best fits in the blanks to make the sentences grammatically and contextually correct.
India aims to ________ ethanol blending to 20% by 2025, facing hurdles with sugar scarcity. Shifting to grain-based ethanol, utilizing maize, poses economic challenges. Unlike sugarcane-based ethanol, corn directly impacts the food supply, triggering price volatility. Past global crises ________ to high corn prices influencing food markets due to interlinked grain use for food, feed, and fuel.
1
diminish, unrelated
2
increase, distinctive
3
diminish, alleviate
4
increase, alleviate
5
escalate, attribute