Fill in the blanks with the correct pair of words arranged sequentially:
The man ______ came to repair the Wi-Fi router, yet he never even opened his toolbox; while the family was busy in the kitchen, he ______ photographed the papers lying on the desk.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → ostensibly, covertly
Complete sentence: The man ostensibly came to repair the Wi-Fi router, yet he never even opened his toolbox; while the family was busy in the kitchen, he covertly photographed the papers lying on the desk.
| Ostensibly (answer) | Covertly (answer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | as it seems or as someone claims, though it may not be true | secretly, without others seeing or knowing |
| Example | Raju left the party early, ostensibly to study, but we later saw him at the cinema. | The reporter covertly recorded the officer asking for a bribe. |
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: genuinely, covertly — Incorrect. Genuinely means really and truly. Example: Neha was genuinely happy when her best friend won the debate.
Option 3: promptly, brazenly — Incorrect. Brazenly means openly and without any shame. Example: The driver brazenly jumped the red light right in front of the traffic police.
Option 4: dutifully, publicly — Incorrect. Publicly means in front of everyone, not in private. Example: At the flag hoisting, the mayor publicly thanked the sanitation workers.