Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Apparently
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This analogy question is based on synonyms, that is, words with very similar meanings. The pair “Exactly : Precisely” shows that each word expresses almost the same idea of complete accuracy. You are asked to find a word that has a similar relationship with “Evidently”. Such questions are common in verbal reasoning and vocabulary sections, and they test how well you understand subtle differences and similarities between English words.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
“Exactly” and “Precisely” both describe an action or description that matches something in a very accurate or correct manner. In the same way, “Evidently” is used when something appears clear from the available evidence or is obvious to see. We must find a word with meaning close to “clearly” or “obviously” that fits well in formal or semi-formal English usage. The correct choice should mirror the synonym relationship seen in the first pair.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret “Exactly : Precisely” as a pair of clear synonyms that both indicate complete accuracy.Step 2: Interpret “Evidently” as “clearly”, “obviously”, or “as can be seen from the evidence”.Step 3: Check each option meaning: “Happily” relates to joy, “Distinctly” suggests clearly but in a more specific or separate sense, “Apparently” means “as far as can be seen” or “seemingly, based on evidence”, and “Hesitatingly” indicates doing something with hesitation.Step 4: Among these, “Apparently” is the closest synonym of “Evidently” in normal usage.Step 5: Therefore, the pair “Evidently : Apparently” mirrors the synonym relationship of “Exactly : Precisely”.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify our choice by substituting the words in sample sentences. For example, “He was evidently tired” and “He was apparently tired” convey nearly the same idea based on observable signs. However, “He was distinctly tired” sounds unusual and does not match typical usage for this context. The synonym pairing of “Evidently” and “Apparently” is widely accepted in standard English, which confirms that this is the intended relationship.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Happily): This word expresses a mood or emotional state and has no relation to “Evidently”.
Option B (Distinctly): While it can sometimes mean “clearly”, it usually emphasises separation or sharpness of perception, and it does not pair as naturally as “Apparently” with “Evidently”.
Option D (Hesitatingly): This refers to acting with hesitation or doubt and is not similar in meaning to “Evidently”.
Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to pick a word that occasionally appears near the target word in similar contexts but is not a true synonym. Another pitfall is to focus on vague impressions of meaning instead of considering precise dictionary-like definitions. Always test whether the candidate word can replace the original in typical sentences without changing the main idea.
Final Answer:
The best synonym-based analogy is “Evidently : Apparently”, so the correct answer is Apparently.
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