Select the appropriate pair of words to fill in the blanks in the following sentence:-
The diligent investigator posed several ____ questions to the suspect in order to ____ the details of the case.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → incisive, elicit
Incisive means sharp and direct, going straight to the important point, and to elicit means to draw out information or a reaction from someone. A diligent (careful and hard-working) investigator asks sharp questions to draw out the details of the case, so the pair fits both blanks.
Example: The lawyer's incisive questions helped her elicit the truth from the witness.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: evasive, confuse — Incorrect. Evasive means avoiding a direct answer. It describes a suspect's replies, not a careful investigator's questions. An investigator wants to clear up the details, not to confuse them.
Example: The suspect gave evasive answers.
Option 2: irrelevant, obscure — Incorrect. Irrelevant means not connected with the matter, and to obscure means to hide or make unclear. Neither suits a diligent investigator.
Example: Clouds obscured the moon.
Option 4: vague, exaggerate — Incorrect. Vague means not clear or definite, and to exaggerate means to make something seem bigger than it is. An investigator aims to get the facts, not to inflate them.
Example: He tends to exaggerate his achievements.
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