Select the most appropriate word to fill in the blank in the following sentence.
She listened _____ to the speaker, hanging on every word as if it were a life-changing revelation.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → avidly
Complete sentence: She listened avidly to the speaker, hanging on every word as if it were a life-changing revelation. "Hanging on every word" describes someone listening eagerly.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) admiringly | with admiration or respect (it shows regard for the speaker, but "hanging on every word" stresses eagerness to hear more, which avidly expresses better) | The fans looked admiringly at the champion. |
| (2) avidly (answer) | with great eagerness and keen interest | He avidly read every book on cricket he could find. |
| (3) thoughtfully | with careful thought, calmly (it lacks the excitement the sentence describes) | She looked thoughtfully at the chessboard. |
| (4) anxiously | with worry or nervousness (a life-changing revelation suggests delight, not worry) | The parents waited anxiously for the results. |