The ninth and the tenth of this month are Monday and Tuesday ________. A. figuratively B. retrospectively C. respectively D. rightfully

GATE 2017 · General Aptitude · Word Meaning · medium

Answer: C. respectively — the ninth is Monday and the tenth is Tuesday, in that order.

1. Identify the sentence structure: The sentence has two parallel lists: (ninth, tenth) and (Monday, Tuesday). The blank must connect them in order: ninth -> Monday, tenth -> Tuesday.
2. Eliminate wrong options: Figuratively = metaphorical sense (wrong). Retrospectively = looking back in time (wrong). Rightfully = with moral justness (wrong). Only 'respectively' means 'in the order mentioned'.