Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-

An old beggar cried for alms at the gate. They told her not to pester them when they were engaged in a snake-hunt. On hearing it, the old woman became happy." You are fortunate. It is God Subramanya who has come to visit you. Don't kill the snake". Mother was in hearty agreement: -"You are right. I forgot all about the promised abhishekam. This is a reminder." She gave a coin to the beggar, who promised to send down a snake-charmer as she went. Presently an old man appeared at the gate and announced himself as a snake-charmer. They gathered around him. He spoke to them about his life and activities and his power over snakes. They asked admiringly:- "How do you catch them? Thus,"" He said, pouncing upon a hypothetical snake on the ground. They pointed to the direction in which the cobra had gone and asked him to go ahead. He looked helplessly about and said: ""f you show me the snake. I'll at once catch it. Otherwise, what can I do? "He gave his name and address and departed. At five in the evening, they threw away their sticks and implements and retired to the veranda to rest. They had turned up every stone in the garden and cut down every grass-blade and shrub so that the tiniest insect coming into the garden should have no cover.

Select the correct pair of words to fill in the blanks in the following sentence:-

The snake charmer evoked feelings of ____ in everyone's mind because of his proclaimed ____ in capturing snakes.

admiration; proficiency

The correct answer is Option (1) → admiration; proficiency

• First Blank (Feelings evoked): The passage states, "He spoke to them about his life and activities and his power over snakes. They asked admiringly..." This directly confirms that the snake-charmer initially inspired admiration in the audience.

• Second Blank (Reason for the feelings): The reason for their admiration was his proclaimed "power over snakes." Proficiency means competence or skill, which is the best fit for describing a proclaimed power or skill in capturing snakes. While his skill turned out to be questionable, the audience's initial feeling was based on his claim of skill/proficiency.