Choose the correct option to fill in the blank in the given sentence:…

The correct answer is Option (4) → nevertheless

Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, more than one answer is possible here: Option (2) "although" and Option (4) "nevertheless" both make a correct sentence, as explained below.

Option 1: therefore — Incorrect. Therefore means for that reason, as a result. Spending lakhs is not a result of being a miser; it is the opposite of what a miser would do.
Example: He missed the bus; therefore, he was late.

Option 2: although — Can also be considered as correct.

• Although means in spite of the fact that; it is a conjunction and joins two clauses directly.
• An "although" clause need not come at the beginning of the sentence; it can also follow the main clause.
• "He is a miser, although he spent lakhs on his daughter's marriage" expresses the same contrast and is grammatical as printed.
  Example: She went to school although she had a fever.

Option 3: whereas — Incorrect.

• Whereas is used to compare two different people or things ("I like tea, whereas my brother likes coffee").
• Here both clauses are about the same man, and the second is a surprise, not a comparison.
  Example: Delhi is hot in June, whereas Shimla stays cool.

Option 4: nevertheless — Correct (Answer as per NTA).

• Nevertheless means in spite of that; it is an adverb that links the second idea to the first.
• A miser does not like spending money, yet he spent lakhs: "He is a miser; nevertheless, he spent lakhs on his daughter's marriage" shows the surprising contrast.
• Being an adverb, it is normally written after a semicolon or a full stop.
  Example: The road was flooded; nevertheless, the bus reached on time.

Complete sentence: He is a miser; nevertheless, he spent lakhs on his daughter's marriage.

Contrast: "therefore" gives a result and "whereas" compares two different things, while "although" and "nevertheless" show a surprising contrast.