Choose the most appropriate verb to fill in the blank.

Both the government and the civil society must work together to _____ the cause of pollution.

mitigate

The correct answer is Option (2) → mitigate

Mitigate means to make something less severe, serious, or painful. When applied to pollution, it means working to reduce the severity or effects of pollution, which is the logical goal of joint efforts by the government and civil society.

Other Options:

• Crystallise (or Crystallize): Means to form into crystals or to make an idea clear and definite. (Does not fit the context of reducing harm).

• Expedite: Means to make an action or process happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly. (The goal is to reduce pollution, not speed it up).

• Perpetrate: Means to commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral action (like a crime or a hoax). This would mean committing or causing pollution, which is the opposite of the desired action.