Question

Fill in the blanks with the right choice of words.
Even though the auditors ______ the accountant, his reputation was _______ by the allegations of fraud.
A. Vindicated - enhanced
B. Indicated - blemished
C. Betrayed - ruined
D. Exonerated - tarnished
E. Cleared - condoned

Answer 1

Hint: A language unit having one or more sounds that are spoken or their written representation that serves as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are usually divided in writing by spaces, and are phonologically differentiated in many languages, as by accent.

Complete answer:
Words consist of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units that are vulnerable to independent usage or are composed of two or three such units combined under certain conditions of linkage.

There are millions of words in English. Each word has a specific meaning of its own. Also, same words may mean different things depending upon the context in which it is used. A word has its own meaning. We cannot place a word freely in a sentence. The word has to compliment the sense of the sentence. Now, to find out which of the given words will fit in the provided sentence, let us look at the context.

The verb 'exonerated' means (of an official body) to absolve (someone) from responsibility for a mistake or crime, and it is better suited to the first blank sense, whereas the verb 'tarnished' means to become less desirable or valued, which suits the second blank context. D is therefore the correct answer-it matches the context given and transmits the meaning needed. None of the other options fit in the context.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘D’

Note: You should always know the meaning of the sentence that it is implying. When you know the meaning, it helps you to identify the correct answer easily.