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Difficulty: MediumSecondary Meanings of Common Words

Although the portrait of the merchant was commissioned to project an aura of unflinching authority and immense wealth, the subtle details of the subject’s posture tell a different story. The merchant sits rigidly, his hand clutching the velvet armrest with a grip so tight his knuckles are stark white. To the casual observer, the painting displays only success and poise. However, the slightly furrowed brow and the tense line of the jaw betray the deep anxiety that plagued his final years during the economic collapse.

As it is used in the passage, the word 'betray' most nearly means which of the following?

  1. A
    deceive
  2. revealAnswer
  3. C
    violate
  4. D
    hide

Answer

reveal
The correct answer is the option that means 'reveal.' In the context of the passage, the merchant's subtle facial details (the furrowed brow and tense jaw) unintentionally expose or make known the anxiety he was experiencing. This usage aligns with the secondary definition of the word, which refers to showing or giving away a secret or hidden feeling.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context surrounding the target word in the passage.
The sentence states that the subject's 'slightly furrowed brow and the tense line of the jaw' do something to his 'deep anxiety' in contrast to the painting's projection of 'success and poise.'
This establishes that the physical signs are indicators or clues pointing to the merchant's underlying emotion.
2
Substitute the options into the sentence to see which maintains the author's intended meaning.
Replacing 'betray' with 'reveal' yields: 'the slightly furrowed brow and the tense line of the jaw reveal the deep anxiety...'
This indicates that the physical features expose or show the merchant's true state of mind, which fits the narrative contrast perfectly.

Key Concept

Secondary Meanings of Common Words
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Secondary Meanings of Common Words

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