In the following question, four spellings of a word are given. Out of the four alternatives, select the correctly spelt word. (Which is the correct spelling for the adverb meaning "in an illegal manner"?)

Introduction / Context:
This spelling question asks you to identify the correct form of the adverb meaning "in an illegal or improper way", derived from the adjective "illicit". Spelling questions often focus on doubling consonants and the correct arrangement of vowels in common but tricky words. Here, you need to remember how "illicit" is spelled and then apply the usual adverb ending "-ly".

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: the adverb formed from "illicit".
• Options: illecitly, illicitly, ilicitly, illicitley.
• We know the base adjective "illicit" is correctly spelled i l l i c i t.
• To form the adverb, we typically add "-ly" to the correct adjective form.

Concept / Approach:
The adjective "illicit" means unlawful or forbidden by rules, especially by law or social custom. To form the adverb, we simply add "-ly" to get "illicitly". The key spelling points are: double "l", the "icit" sequence, and the simple "-ly" ending. Any alternative spelling that changes the number of "l"s, alters "icit" to "ecit", or creates a strange ending like "-ley" is incorrect. Therefore, "illicitly" is the only fully correct spelling.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write down the adjective "illicit": i l l i c i t.Step 2: Add the standard adverb ending "-ly": illicit + ly = illicitly.Step 3: Examine option B: "illicitly". It exactly matches "illicit" + "ly" without any extra or missing letters.Step 4: Examine option A, "illecitly". Here, "ecit" replaces "icit", which is a vowel error; the base adjective would not be "illecit".Step 5: Examine option C, "ilicitly". This removes one "l", giving "ilicit", which is not the correct adjective. Option D, "illicitley", distorts the ending to "ley", which is another spelling mistake.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check usage: "He was accused of acquiring the documents illicitly." In published texts and dictionaries, this adverb is always spelled "illicitly". If you change it to "illecitly", "ilicitly", or "illicitley", spell checkers and dictionaries will mark it as wrong. Also notice that many English adjectives ending in "-cit" form adverbs by simply adding "-ly" without changing the root spelling, which supports "illicitly" as the correct form.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "illecitly", uses "ecit" instead of "icit", which does not match the correct adjective. Option C, "ilicitly", has only one "l", whereas the standard spelling of the adjective has two "l"s: i l l i c i t. Option D, "illicitley", adds an unnecessary "e" before "y", resulting in a non standard ending "-ley" instead of "-ly". All three forms deviate from the original adjective "illicit" in ways that are not supported by English spelling rules.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners struggle with double consonants in English words and may drop one "l" or add extra vowels when forming adverbs. Another pitfall is mis hearing the pronunciation and writing "ecit" instead of "icit". To avoid such mistakes, it helps to memorise the base adjectives clearly (for example, "licit" vs "illicit") and then apply the regular adverb ending "-ly" without modifying the internal letters. Visual memory of correctly spelled words from reading is especially useful in tackling such questions.

Final Answer:
The correctly spelt word is illicitly.