Select the appropriate option to fill in the blank:
Unlike the other judges, who wrapped every comment in praise, Mrs Rao spoke ______: ‘The song is out of tune, and it is two minutes too long.’
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → bluntly
Complete sentence: Unlike the other judges, who wrapped every comment in praise, Mrs Rao spoke bluntly: ‘The song is out of tune, and it is two minutes too long.’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) bluntly (answer) | in a direct, plain way, without trying to be polite or to soften what is said (fits “The song is out of tune”) | When Anil asked about his new haircut, his sister told him bluntly that it did not suit him. |
| (2) diplomatically | in a careful, tactful way that avoids upsetting people | The class teacher diplomatically settled the fight over the window seat by making the two girls take turns. |
| (3) vaguely | in a way that is not clear or exact | Asked where he had been all evening, Rohan answered vaguely that he was “out with friends”. |
| (4) sarcastically | by saying the opposite of what one means, in order to mock someone | “Wonderful timing,” Neha said sarcastically when the bus left just as she reached the stop. |