Choose the most appropriate words from the options given below to complete the following sentence:
Because she had a reputation for ________, we were surprised and pleased when she greeted us so ________.
A. insolence ...... irately B. insouciance ...... curtly C. graciousness ...... amiably D. querulousness ...... affably
GATE 2011 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium
Answer: D. querulousness ...... affably
Decode the sentence structure: The sentence uses 'Because ... [negative reputation] ... we were surprised and pleased when she greeted us so [positive manner]'. The surprise is only logical if the reputation predicted bad behavior and she actually behaved well. So: blank 1 = negative trait, blank 2 = positive manner.
Test each option against the constraint: A. insolence (negative) ...... irately (negative) — second blank is negative, contradicts 'pleased'. B. insouciance (neutral/negative) ...... curtly (negative) — second blank negative, contradicts 'pleased'. C. graciousness (positive) ...... amiably (positive) — first blank is positive; no reason for surprise. D. querulousness (negative) ...... affably (positive) — fits perfectly: bad reputation, pleasantly surprised. Answer: D.