Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word from the options :
The music teacher ________ appreciated the students' performance even though they practised a lot.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → seldom
Adverb of frequency with a contrast:
- Seldom is an adverb of frequency meaning rarely, hardly ever.
- Deciding clue: the clause "even though they practised a lot" shows a contrast: in spite of all the practice, the teacher rarely praised the performance. Only "seldom" gives this unexpected result.
- Complete sentence: The music teacher seldom appreciated the students' performance even though they practised a lot.
Example: He seldom visits his village now.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: rather — Incorrect. Rather is an adverb of degree meaning fairly, to some extent; "rather appreciated" gives no contrast with all the practice.
Example: The film was rather long.
Option 2: greatly — Incorrect. Greatly means very much; great praise would be the expected result of hard practice, so "even though" would make no sense.
Example: Your help is greatly appreciated.
Option 4: later — Incorrect. Later is an adverb of time meaning afterwards; it tells when, not how often, and gives no contrast.
Example: I will call you later.
Contrast: "seldom" (rarely) gives the unexpected result that "even though" calls for; "greatly" would be the expected result of hard practice.