The correct answer is option 1 The blank is succeeded by the conjunction ‘and’ and the word is ‘pragmatic’. This means that a word which has a meaning similar to ‘pragmatic’ must be used. ‘Pragmatic’ means something that is practical. Both ‘empirical’ and ‘genuine’ are the synonyms of the word ‘pragmatic’. Let us look at the meanings of the other words. ‘Hypothetical’ means something based on a supposition. ‘Conjectural’ is the synonym of 'hypothesis'. Lamentable – very bad; deplorable. Perfunctory - carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort.