Question:
He had expected gratitude for his disclosure, but instead he encountered ---- bordering on hostility.
He had expected gratitude for his disclosure, but instead he encountered ---- bordering on hostility.
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Pay attention to modifying phrases. "Bordering on" is a key phrase here. It means the word in the blank is not "hostility" itself, but something very close to it. Indifference is a perfect example of a cold, negative reaction that can feel hostile.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- patience
- discretion
- openness
- ineptitude
- indifference
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This sentence describes an unexpected reaction. The person expected a positive reaction (gratitude) but received a negative one. The blank must be a negative word that is described as "bordering on hostility."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The structure is "expected X, but instead got Y." Y must be a negative reaction. The phrase "bordering on hostility" means the reaction was very close to being hostile, but perhaps not quite there. We are looking for a word that describes a strong negative feeling or lack of feeling that is a step away from outright hostility. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) patience: A positive trait, incorrect.
(B) discretion: Prudence or good judgment, a positive trait.
(C) openness: A positive trait.
(D) ineptitude: Lack of skill. This describes a quality of the person, not the reaction he encountered.
(E) indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. A cold indifference could certainly be perceived as being very close to (bordering on) hostility. It is a strong negative reaction that contrasts with the expected gratitude.
Step 3: Final Answer:
"Indifference" is the best fit, as a cold lack of concern can be a powerful negative response that is a step away from open hostility.
This sentence describes an unexpected reaction. The person expected a positive reaction (gratitude) but received a negative one. The blank must be a negative word that is described as "bordering on hostility."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The structure is "expected X, but instead got Y." Y must be a negative reaction. The phrase "bordering on hostility" means the reaction was very close to being hostile, but perhaps not quite there. We are looking for a word that describes a strong negative feeling or lack of feeling that is a step away from outright hostility. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) patience: A positive trait, incorrect.
(B) discretion: Prudence or good judgment, a positive trait.
(C) openness: A positive trait.
(D) ineptitude: Lack of skill. This describes a quality of the person, not the reaction he encountered.
(E) indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. A cold indifference could certainly be perceived as being very close to (bordering on) hostility. It is a strong negative reaction that contrasts with the expected gratitude.
Step 3: Final Answer:
"Indifference" is the best fit, as a cold lack of concern can be a powerful negative response that is a step away from open hostility.
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