A sentence is missing in the paragraph given below. Decide in which blank (i.e., 1, 2, 3 or 4) the following sentence would fit best.
Sentence: From that tradition many of our intellectuals are visibly turning away.
Paragraph:
The word ‘ancient’ emphasises the fact that intellectual freedom is a deep-rooted tradition without which our characteristic western culture could only doubtfully exist. (1)_____. They have accepted the principle that a book should be published or suppressed, praised or damned, not on its merits but according to political expediency. (2)_____. And others who do not actually hold this view assent to it from sheer cowardice. But at least let us have no more nonsense about defending liberty against Fascism. (3)_____. If liberty meanything at all it methe right to tell people what they do not want to hear. (4)_____. The common people still vaguely subscribe to that doctrine and act on it. In our country, it is the liberals who fear liberty and the intellectuals who want to do dirt on the intellect: it is to draw attention to that fact that I have written this preface.

Correct option is B

Option b is the correct answer.
· Blank 1 (Option b):
· This blank comes right after the introduction of the  tradition of intellectual freedom. Placing the sentence here would smoothly transition to how intellectuals are  turning away from it, leading into the criticism in the next sentences. This is the  most logical placement.
· Blank 2 (Option d):
· This blank follows a specific example of intellectuals accepting censorship. The missing sentence is more general (about turning away from tradition), so it doesn't fit as well here.
· Blank 3 (Option a):
· This blank appears after the critique of intellectuals and introduces the definition of liberty. The missing sentence doesn't fit here thematically.
· Blank 4 (Option c):
· This blank is near the end, where the author contrasts common people's beliefs with intellectuals' hypocrisy. The missing sentence is too early in thought to fit here.
Conclusion:
The sentence fits best in  Blank 1 (Option b), as it logically follows the mention of the  tradition of intellectual freedom and sets up the subsequent criticism of intellectuals for abandoning it.