Choose the most appropriate option to fill in the blank:
_____ she was very lonely, but now she has made a few friends.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Initially
Initially means at first; at the beginning. The sentence contrasts the past with the present ("but now"): at first she was lonely, but now she has made friends.
Example: Initially he found the new city strange, but soon he began to like it.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Fortunately — Incorrect. Fortunately means luckily; being lonely is not lucky, and the word does not set up the contrast with "now".
Example: Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident.
Option 3: Rarely — Incorrect. Rarely means not often; "Rarely she was very lonely" is not natural English and gives no earlier time to contrast with "now".
Example: He rarely watches television.
Option 4: Virtually — Incorrect. Virtually means almost; it shows degree, not an earlier time.
Example: The hall was virtually empty by evening.