Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: to expose
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on single word substitution, a common type of vocabulary test in competitive exams. The phrase to reveal the true, objectionable nature of someone describes the act of showing what a person is really like, especially when that real nature is negative, dishonest, or morally wrong. In social situations, media reports, and legal contexts, we often need a single verb to capture this meaning succinctly. Your task is to choose that verb from the given options.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The key idea in the phrase is revealing or making something previously hidden visible to others. The word expose is the most direct verb for this. It means to make something visible that was previously concealed, especially faults, crimes, or weaknesses. By contrast, betray can mean to be disloyal or to reveal secrets, but it does not specifically mean to show someone's objectionable nature in a neutral descriptive way. Forsake means to abandon, and delude means to mislead or deceive. Neither of these matches the idea of revealing negative qualities.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the core meaning of the phrase: to reveal the true, objectionable nature of someone. The key actions are reveal and show the negative nature.
Step 2: Consider to betray. This can mean to reveal or deliver someone into the hands of an enemy, or to break trust. While it involves negative action, it is more about disloyalty than about calmly showing someone's true character.
Step 3: Consider to forsake. This means to abandon or leave someone or something, which is completely different from revealing character.
Step 4: Consider to expose. This means to uncover or make visible things that were hidden, such as exposing a scandal or exposing a fraud, which fits revealing objectionable behaviour or character.
Step 5: Consider to delude. This means to deceive or mislead someone, which is the opposite of revealing the truth.
Step 6: Since only to expose accurately fits the description of revealing someone's true, objectionable nature, it is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Think of standard phrases: The journalist exposed the corrupt minister, or The investigation exposed the company's unethical practices. These uses of expose match the idea of revealing objectionable nature. By contrast, The journalist betrayed the corrupt minister would emphasize disloyalty, and The journalist deluded the corrupt minister would describe misleading him, not revealing his nature. This confirms that expose is the most appropriate choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
to betray focuses on disloyalty or treachery, not on neutral revelation of character.
to forsake means to abandon completely, and does not involve making anything known.
to delude is about causing someone to believe something false, which contradicts the idea of revealing the truth.
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates choose betray because it also involves revealing secrets, but they overlook that betray usually carries the sense of breaking trust rather than simply showing someone's true nature. It is important to match the entire phrase, including the idea of objectionable nature and revelation, rather than focusing on a single word. Building a strong vocabulary with clear example sentences for each new verb can help distinguish such subtle differences.
Final Answer:
The verb that best expresses to reveal the true, objectionable nature of someone is to expose.
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