Question:

Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: Fur: Real, fake, or nothing? Since man first put on clothes people have worn fur, first and foremost because it's very warm. Over the centuries, fur became exclusive and by the sixteenth century it was seen as a luxury textile. At that time, it was worn on the inside as a lining for coats, with only a little trim visible. The fur industry has hit back at animal rights campaigners, stating that real fur is much more environmentally friendly than fake fur. Young women started wearing real fur again in recent years, inspired by celebrities and fashion icons who embraced it on the red carpet and in high fashion, even as the ethical debate over its use continues to divide opinion. In the line, "The fur industry has hit back at animal rights campaigners, stating that real fur is much more environmentally friendly than fake fur," the phrase "hit back" means:

Updated On: Sep 16, 2026
  • physically attacked
  • launched a new advertisement company
  • responded strongly or defended itself
  • agreed with critics
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
  • Vocabulary-in-context questions require reading the surrounding sentence, not just the phrase alone, to work out the intended meaning.
  • 'Hit back' is a common idiom meaning to respond strongly to criticism or an attack, not a literal physical action.
  • The phrase is followed by 'stating that', which shows the fur industry is verbally defending itself.

Step 1: Read the full sentence containing the phrase.
The fur industry has hit back at animal rights campaigners, stating that real fur is much more environmentally friendly than fake fur.

Step 2: Note what follows 'hit back'.
The phrase is followed by 'stating that', showing this is a verbal response or defence, not a physical action.

Step 3: Eliminate the other options.
'physically attacked' takes the idiom too literally.
'launched a new advertisement company' and 'agreed with critics' are not supported anywhere in the sentence.

Final Answer: responded strongly or defended itself
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