Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the underlined word in context. Sentence: I wrote to him as lately as last week.

Introduction / Context:
In older or formal usage, “as lately as” means “as recently as.” The sentence asserts that the writing occurred not long ago, specifically last week.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Phrase: “as lately as”.
• Time marker: last week.
• We must pick the synonym that preserves the temporal sense.

Concept / Approach:
“Lately” by itself means “recently.” In the set phrase “as lately as,” the meaning remains the same and is often used for emphasis that something happened very recently.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Interpret “as lately as” → as recently as.Check options: “immediately” (at once), “early” (opposite of late), “recently” (correct), “late” (time-of-day or tardiness).Select “recently.”Confirm with the explicit time reference “last week.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “I wrote to him as recently as last week.” This matches normal modern usage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• immediately: too strong and different meaning.
• early: unrelated to recency in this sense.
• late: antonym of early; does not mean recent.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “late”/“lately”: “late” relates to tardiness or recent death (the late Mr. X), while “lately” means recently.

Final Answer:
recently