English Vocabulary — Choose the closest meaning (contextual synonym). Sentence: On scrutiny, the police officer found that the documents provided by the landlord were totally fabricated.

Introduction / Context:
Legal and investigative writing often uses precise vocabulary for false documents. The word “fabricated,” when applied to documents, means they are false or faked. Your task is to select the option that most accurately captures that meaning in this policing context.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Context: a police officer examining paperwork.
• Key adjective: “fabricated” describing documents.
• We need a synonym that matches legal/investigative usage.

Concept / Approach:
In document forensics, “fabricated,” “forged,” and “counterfeit” are semantically close. “Forged” is the standard adjective for documents created or altered dishonestly. Options like “historical” and “prepared” are neutral descriptors and do not convey falsity; “genuine” is the direct opposite (authentic/real).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “the documents … were totally forged.” This is idiomatic in police reports and matches real-world phrasing used by investigators and courts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• historical: Refers to age/past, not authenticity.
• prepared: Neutral process verb; does not entail truth value.
• genuine: Antonym of fabricated; means authentic.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “fabricated” with “prepared.” In legal English, “fabricated evidence/documents” always implies deception, not mere creation.

Final Answer:
forged