GATE CSE 2010 | Question: 56

Question

Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence:

His rather casual remarks on politics ________ his lack of seriousness about the subject.

• A. masked
• B. belied
• C. betrayed
• D. suppressed

Comments

The sentence tells us that his remarks were "casual," which naturally shows or reveals that he isn't very serious about politics.

While we often use betray to mean breaking someone's trust, its secondary, more formal meaning is to unintentionally reveal, expose, or show something that was hidden or private.

So, the completed sentence means:

"His rather casual remarks on politics revealed/exposed his lack of seriousness about the subject."

Why the other options don't fit:

• Masked / Suppressed: These mean to hide, conceal, or hold back something. If his remarks were casual, they wouldn't hide his lack of seriousness; they would make it obvious.

• Belied: To bely means to give a false impression of something or to contradict it. For example, "His calm face belied his extreme nervousness." If his remarks were casual, they would align with his lack of seriousness, not contradict it.

Answer 1

answer is option (c)

(a) Masked       :  Hide under a false appearance - opposite

(b) Belied          :  Be in contradiction with - not appropriate 

(c) Betrayed      :  Reveal unintentionally - most appropriate

(d) Suppressed:  To put down by force or authority - irrelevant

Comments

betray: to show feelings, thoughts, or a particular characteristic without intending to

Examples:

• If he is nervous on stage, he does not betray it.
• Although she often seems quite cold, her smiling eyes betray her true nature.

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Why masked isn’t true? He casually comments on politics which hides his seriousness about the subject. He is masking(hiding) his seriousness behind his half-baked knowledge. I guess masked should be true.

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@neel19, It will say “ His casual comments on politics hides his lack of seriousness  about the subject “ – which means that his half baked knowledge is easily observed by everyone which makes them believe that he is serious  about the subject

but it should be saying : makes them believe that he is not serious about the subject 

Answer 2

option (c) is right ans.