Select the correct option:
Had it not been for her timely intervention, the discussion might well have ___ into an acrimonious stalemate.

Correct option is B

The correct option to fill in the blank is (b) devolved.
Explanation: “Devolve into” means to deteriorate/degenerate into something worse. The sentence implies that without intervention, the discussion would have worsened into a bitter deadlock (“acrimonious stalemate”). Thus, “devolved into” is the best contextual fit. (Hindi meaning: बिगड़ जाना/पतित हो जाना)
Example: The debate quickly devolved into personal attacks.
Explain why other options are incorrect:
· (a) evolved: means developed/improved gradually—opposite to the negative outcome described.
· (c) emerged: means came out/appeared; it doesn’t collocate well with “into a stalemate” here.
· (d) absorbed: means taken in; “absorbed into a stalemate” is illogical.