We __________ our friend's birthday and we __________ how to make it up to him. A. completely forgot --- don't just know B. forgot completely --- don't just know C. completely forgot --- just don't know D. forgot completely --- just don't know

GATE 2015 · General Aptitude · English Grammar · easy

Answer: D. forgot completely --- just don't know

1. Analyse blank 1: 'completely' placement: Both 'completely forgot' and 'forgot completely' are grammatically acceptable. However, 'forgot completely' places emphasis at the end (end-weight principle) and sounds more natural in informal spoken English. Options A and C use 'completely forgot'; Options B and D use 'forgot completely'.
2. Analyse blank 2: 'just' placement: 'Just don't know' is the standard phrasing — 'just' (limiting adverb) precedes the auxiliary 'don't'. 'Don't just know' changes meaning to 'not merely knowing', which is illogical in context. Options A and B use 'don't just know'; Options C and D use 'just don't know'. Only D satisfies both blanks.