Definition: In this task, you will be presented with a passage and have to answer a question based on your understanding of the events inferred from the passage. Try to find the best answer that is most likely to fill in "_". Note that the URLs in the text have been replaced with [Link].
Input: As the author of the modern classic A Clockwork Orange and a famously outspoken cultural pundit, he is one of the greatest names of post-war British literature. Yet Anthony Burgess has been refused a commemorative blue plaque by English Heritage because, it claims, his significance and profile are 'not strong enough' for recognition. Now the snub has been criticised by leading figures in the literary world, who insist that the author is one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century. Leading literary figures described Anthony Burgess (pictured) being snubbed for a blue plaque as 'pathetic' Malcolm McDowell starred at the lead character Alex (pictured) in Stanley Kubrick's controversial adaptation of A Clockwork OrangeEnglish Heritage blasted for refusal to grant Anthony Burgess blue plaqueLeading literary figures described the organisation's decision as 'pathetic'Burgess wrote the modern classic A Clockwork Orange and 32 other booksThe novel was made into a controversial film by director Stanley Kubrick 
 Question:They were confident of success as _ met all the criteria for the scheme – which is funded by public donations – including the stipulation that candidates must be well known and must have been dead for at least 20 years.

Anthony Burgess