Fill in the blanks with the correct pair of words arranged sequentially:
The new CCTV cameras have been fixed ______ at every gate of the market, right beside the big entry boards, and they now act as a strong ______ for pickpockets; complaints have fallen by half.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → conspicuously, deterrent
Complete sentence: The new CCTV cameras have been fixed conspicuously at every gate of the market, right beside the big entry boards, and they now act as a strong deterrent for pickpockets; complaints have fallen by half.
| Conspicuously (answer) | Deterrent (answer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | in a way that is easy to see and notice | something that makes people decide not to do something wrong, because they fear what will happen |
| Example | The new student sat conspicuously in the front row in a bright yellow cap. | Heavy fines act as a deterrent to people who throw rubbish on the road. |
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: stealthily, deterrent — Incorrect. Stealthily means quietly and secretly, so as not to be seen or heard. Example: The leopard moved stealthily through the tall grass towards the goats.
Option 3: unobtrusively, boon — Incorrect. Unobtrusively means in a way that is not easily noticed. Boon means something that is very helpful, a blessing. Example: The waiter unobtrusively refilled our glasses, and the free refills were a boon on that hot day.
Option 4: sparingly, magnet — Incorrect. Sparingly means in small amounts, only a little. Magnet means a person or place that attracts many people. Example: The new food street, where the stalls use oil sparingly, has become a magnet for college students.