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Q.59

Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence:

His rather casual remarks on politics __________ his lack of seriousness about the subject.

Options:

(A) masked

(B) belied

(C) betrayed

(D) suppressed

His Casual Remarks on Politics: Unraveling the Right Word Choice

His casual remarks unintentionally revealed deeper insights into word meanings for competitive exams like GATE. The correct option fits perfectly to convey revelation over concealment.

Correct Answer

The most appropriate word is (C) betrayed.
“His rather casual remarks on politics betrayed his lack of seriousness about the subject.” This means the remarks unintentionally revealed or exposed his true unserious attitude toward politics.

Option Breakdown

• (A) Masked: Means to hide or cover something, like disguising intent. It would imply the remarks concealed his lack of seriousness, which contradicts the sentence’s logic of exposure.

• (B) Belied: Means to give a false impression or contradict. Here, it would suggest the remarks hid his lack of seriousness by showing the opposite, not fitting the direct revelation needed.

• (C) Betrayed: Means to reveal unintentionally, often through actions or words. Casual remarks naturally disclose underlying attitudes, making this the precise fit.

• (D) Suppressed: Means to hold back or restrain. It implies actively preventing the lack of seriousness from showing, which doesn’t align with casual remarks surfacing it.

Why “Betrayed” Wins

In verbal ability sections of exams like GATE EC/CS/IN (2010 origin), “betrayed” excels for its nuance of inadvertent disclosure. Casual speech often betrays true feelings, unlike masking or suppressing which imply deliberate action.