Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

Ramu went with his friends on a trip to ___________ new paths.

explore

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is explore.

The word "explore" means to travel to new and unfamiliar places in order to learn about them. This is the most appropriate word because it accurately describes what Ramu and his friends were doing on their trip. They were traveling to new places and exploring them.

The other options are not as appropriate.

• Determine means to find out or decide something with certainty. It does not make sense in the context of the sentence, because Ramu and his friends were not trying to find out or decide something with certainty.
• Deploy means to station troops or equipment in a place for military purposes. It does not make sense in the context of the sentence, because Ramu and his friends were not military personnel.
• Invent means to create something new. It does not make sense in the context of the sentence, because Ramu and his friends were not creating anything new.