A sentence has been given with a blank to be filled with an appropriate option. Choose the correct alternative.
I strained ______ to catch his options.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. hard.
- 'Hardly' has an altogether different meaning to it which is 'barely'. This does not makes the sentence logical.
- 'Hardest' is the superlative form of 'hard.' A noticeable feature of superlative words is that, 'the' is used in front of them, which, in this sentence is not present.
- 'Hardness' is a measurable quality of something, which will not fit logically with the above sentence.
- The word "hard" is an adverb here, meaning "with a lot of effort." It is used to describe the intensity of the action "strained." When you say "strained hard," it indicates that you made a significant effort to do something, which in this case is trying to catch or hear someone's words.
- Therefore 'hard' is the most appropriate option.