Question

Choose the correct adverb from the options given below.
The mother _________ laid the baby on the bed.
A. Gently
B. Honesty
C. Frankly
D. Hardly

Answer 1

Hint:An adverb is a word that adds more information about a degree of a verb, phrase, adjective or other adverbs. Example: Speak softly, the baby is sleeping. In the given example, the adverb ‘softly’ is used to specify the degree of the verb ‘speak’ that is to use a lower tone to speak. We will look for an option that adds more information to the given sentence.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to figure out the correct answer.

A. Gently : The adverb ‘gently’ means kindly, mildly, a way that is not rough. The adjective form of gentle is ‘gentle’. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “The mother gently laid the baby on the bed. This option makes sense, as a baby is very gullible and needs to be handled with care. Therefore, while laying a baby on the bed, we can’t be quick or rough. We need to be gentle. This is the correct option.

B. Honestly : The adverb ‘honestly’ describes a way that is honest, which means free from lies or any other false implications or impressions. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “The mother honestly laid the baby on the bed. This doesn’t make any sense as while laying a baby on the bed, there is no question of being honest or dishonest. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

C. Frankly : The adverb ‘frankly’ means a way that is frank, which means open, direct, not hidden or confided. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “The mother frankly laid the baby on the bed”. This sentence makes no sense as there is no question of being frank while laying a baby on the bed. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

D. Hardly: The adverb hardly means not in an easy way, merely, rarely. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “The mother hardly laid the baby on the bed”. This sentence makes no sense as this adverb is not relevant to the given sentence. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘A’.

Note: We use the suffix -ly to form adverbs from adjectives. The other options in the question (regular, normal, usual) are adjectives originally. But if we add the -ly they become adverbs; Regularly, normally, usually. In that case, these options could also be correct when implied to the sentence. AN example of is:
She sings beautifully.