In this passage about the novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, choose the correct word to complete the blank in the sentence "War and Peace, an epic historical novel by Leo Tolstoy, was _____ published as Voyna i mir in 1865–69."

Introduction / Context:
This question is based on a descriptive passage about the famous Russian novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. The passage informs the reader about the original publication of the work and its Russian title. The specific sentence we must complete is War and Peace, an epic historical novel by Leo Tolstoy, was blank published as Voyna i mir in 1865–69. The missing word needs to show that the title Voyna i mir was the first or initial form in which the novel was brought out. The problem tests our ability to choose a word that correctly expresses this temporal relationship and matches formal English style in literary description.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence talks about the publication history of War and Peace.
• We know the novel had an original Russian title Voyna i mir.
• The options are basically, wilfully, originally, faithfully, recently.
• The required word must show that this is how the book was first published.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is understanding adverbs that describe the manner or time of publication. In literary history, writers often say a work was originally published under a certain title or in a certain year. The adverb originally signals first or initial form. We must find which option logically and idiomatically fits this standard expression. The approach is to test each option in the sentence and judge whether the meaning and tone remain correct, with special focus on time reference rather than motive or quality.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Insert basically: was basically published as Voyna i mir sounds vague and does not refer to first publication. Step 2: Insert wilfully: was wilfully published as Voyna i mir suggests deliberate stubbornness, which is not the point here. Step 3: Insert originally: was originally published as Voyna i mir clearly means that the first publication used this title and fits common historical wording. Step 4: Insert faithfully: was faithfully published as Voyna i mir suggests accuracy, not first appearance, so it is unsuitable. Step 5: Insert recently: was recently published as Voyna i mir conflicts with the dates 1865–69, which are far in the past. Step 6: Conclude that only originally gives the correct sense of initial publication and maintains both grammar and style.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify our choice by recalling typical lines from biographies and literary histories. They often read like This novel was originally published in serial form or This book was originally published under a different title. The pattern originally published is extremely common. None of the other options form such a familiar and meaningful phrase. Therefore, using originally in the sentence War and Peace was originally published as Voyna i mir in 1865–69 is fully consistent with standard academic English.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Basically: This adverb means fundamentally or in essence, but it does not describe the first time something appeared in print. Wilfully: This suggests deliberate stubbornness or intention against advice, which is irrelevant and also makes the sentence sound negative. Faithfully: This usually describes accurate translation or representation, not the historical fact of first publication. Recently: This contradicts the historical dates 1865–69, because that period is not recent at all. Thus, only originally captures the correct idea and time reference.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may be attracted to basically or faithfully because they sound formal. However, they fail to capture the specific nuance required. Another pitfall is not noticing the year 1865–69. When students ignore the time clue, they might wrongly consider recently. Reading the entire sentence carefully and paying attention to all context, especially dates, prevents such errors in cloze passages.

Final Answer:
The correct word for the blank is originally, giving the sentence War and Peace was originally published as Voyna i mir in 1865–69.