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

GATE 2010 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium

Answer: C. betrayed - 'His rather casual remarks on politics betrayed his lack of seriousness about the subject.' Here 'betrayed' means 'revealed unintentionally'.

1. Determine the logical relationship in the sentence: The sentence implies that the casual remarks served as evidence of or revealed his lack of seriousness. The blank must mean 'to reveal, show, or expose' something - specifically an unintentional disclosure.
2. Eliminate wrong options by meaning: A. masked = hid (opposite of revealed - WRONG). B. belied = contradicted or gave false impression of (would mean the remarks made him appear serious when he was not - WRONG meaning). D. suppressed = held back (suggests concealment - WRONG). C. betrayed = revealed unintentionally (CORRECT).