Question

Choose the appropriate word which fits at $\left[1\right]$

• A. Hardly
• B. Barely
• C. Merely
• D. Rarely

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Barely

Option B, 'barely' is the correct answer because the adverb is more commonly used to indicate the degree of something. If we look at the entire sentence, it is understandable that the person had 'barely' taken off his clothes when something happened. Hence an adverb of degree is the most suitable answer.

Options A and D are incorrect because 'hardly' and 'rarely' are adverbs of frequency which means 'not so often'. Given the context of the sentence, it wouldn't make any logical sense if used in blank [1].

Option C is grammatically incorrect because 'merely' means just or only.