Select the appropriate word from the given option to complete the sentence:-

The ____ actions of the mill owners were eventually exposed, leading to widespread public outrage.

treacherous

The correct answer is Option (1) → treacherous

The sentence requires a word that describes actions that would lead to widespread public outrage when exposed.

• Treacherous (Adjective): Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception; disloyal. In this context, it refers to actions that were deceitful, harmful, or grossly unfair to the public or the workers, justifying the outrage when revealed.

  Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

• Riveting (Adjective): Completely engrossing; fascinating. 

• Unpretentious (Adjective): Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture; modest. Modest actions would not cause outrage.

• Ingenuous (Adjective): (Of a person) innocent and unsuspecting; naive. This describes a person, not the kind of actions that spark public anger.