No one could explain how a calm and balanced person like him could pen...
Perpetrate (Verb) : to commit a crime or do something wrong or evil
penetrate (Verb) : to go into/through something
perpetuate (Verb) : to make something such as a bad situation, a belief, etc. continue for a long time
⇒ This system perpetuated itself for several centuries.
precipitate (Verb) : to make something, especially something bad, happen suddenly or sooner than it should
⇒ His resignation precipitated a leadership crisis
Here, perpetrate is the right usage.
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No one could explain how a calm and balanced person like him could pen...
Perpetrate (Verb) : to commit a crime or do something wrong or evil
penetrate (Verb) : to go into/through something
perpetuate (Verb) : to make something such as a bad situation, a belief, etc. continue for a long time
⇒ This system perpetuated itself for several centuries.
precipitate (Verb) : to make something, especially something bad, happen suddenly or sooner than it should
⇒ His resignation precipitated a leadership crisis
Here, perpetrate is the right usage.
No one could explain how a calm and balanced person like him could pen...
Explanation:
Understanding the context:
The sentence is discussing a person who is calm and balanced, but has committed a mindless act on his friends. The word "penetrate" here implies that the person has somehow managed to carry out this act. The sentence is questioning why a person who is calm and balanced would engage in such behavior.
Using the correct word:
The correct word to fill in the blank is "perpetrate" (option B). This word means to carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral act. In the given context, it is used to describe the action of the calm and balanced person engaging in the mindless act on his friends.
Explanation of the incorrect options:
a) "Perpetuate" means to continue or prolong something, usually a negative or harmful situation. This word does not fit the context as it does not convey the idea of committing a specific act.
c) "Precipitate" means to cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly. While this word relates to causing an event, it does not convey the idea of intentionally carrying out an act.
Conclusion:
The sentence is questioning how someone who is calm and balanced could engage in a mindless act on his friends. The word "perpetrate" is the correct choice here, as it accurately conveys the idea of committing an act, specifically a harmful or immoral one.