A sentence has been given with a blank to be filled with an appropriate word. Choose the correct alternative.

Be it a chaat or a refreshing lemonade, lemon is the need of the hour in ____ summers.

scorching

The correct word to fill in the blank is scorching.

The sentence is about the need for lemon in scorching summers. The word "scorching" means extremely hot. It is the most appropriate word to use in this context, as it refers to the extreme heat that is experienced in summers.

The other options are not as appropriate:

• Banging means very loud. It would not be accurate to use "banging" in this context, as it does not refer to heat.
• Freezing means very cold. It would not be accurate to use "freezing" in this context, as it does not refer to heat.
• Alleviating means making something less severe. It would not be accurate to use "alleviating" in this context, as it does not refer to heat.