Fill in the blank with the correct option.

The judge gave the ruling in their favour because the evidence was _____ by two independent witnesses.

corroborated

The correct answer is Option (1) → corroborated

Corroborated (Verb): To confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding) by providing new or additional evidence. In a legal context, when witnesses corroborate evidence, they confirm its truthfulness, making the case stronger.

Why the other options are incorrect: 

• Collaborated (Verb): To work jointly on an activity or project. (e.g., They collaborated on a research paper.)

• Colluded (Verb): To cooperate in a secret or unlawful way in order to deceive or cheat others. (e.g., The companies colluded to fix prices.)

• Coagulated (Verb): (Of a fluid, especially blood) to change to a solid or semi-solid state. (e.g., The blood began to coagulate.)