Fill in the blank with the most appropriate adverb from the given options :
He ________ talks ill of his friends.
(A) where
(B) immediately
(C) never
(D) slowly
(E) soon
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (C) only
Never is an adverb of frequency meaning at no time. "He never talks ill of his friends" describes a habit: he does not speak badly about his friends at any time. To talk ill of someone is to say unkind things about them.
Complete sentence: He never talks ill of his friends.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: (A) only — Incorrect. "Where" asks about or joins a place. "He where talks ill" makes no sense.
Example: This is the house where I was born.
Option 3: (D) only — Incorrect. "Slowly" is an adverb of manner. The speed of his speech says nothing about his habit of speaking badly of friends.
Example: The old man walked slowly up the hill.
Option 4: (E) only — Incorrect. "Soon" means in a short time from now and refers to the future. It does not fit a present habit, nor does it come before the verb in this way.
Example: The train will arrive soon.