The ninth and the tenth of this month are Monday and Tuesday _________.
Options:
(A) figuratively
(B) retrospectively
(C) respectively
(D) rightfully
Official Answer Key:
C
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Detailed Step-by-Step Solution (GATE AE 2017 Q.56)**
**1. Intuitive Physical Setup & Given Parameters**:
- Sentence structure pairs two items in order:
- 9th of the month $\leftrightarrow$ Monday
- 10th of the month $\leftrightarrow$ Tuesday
**2. Step-by-Step Grammatical Derivation**:
1. **Meaning of Vocabulary Options**:
- *respectively*: separately or individually and in the order already mentioned.
- *retrospectively*: looking back on or dealing with past events.
- *figuratively*: in a metaphorical rather than literal sense.
- *rightfully*: by right; legally or properly.
2. In English usage, whenever two or more items correspond one-to-one with previously mentioned items in the same sequence, the adverb **respectively** is required.
**3. Comprehensive Options & Distractor Analysis**:
- **(A)** *figuratively*: ❌ Incorrect. Days of the week are literal dates.
- **(B)** *retrospectively*: ❌ Incorrect. Confuses sound with respectively.
- **(C)** *respectively*: ✅ **CORRECT**. Directly denotes sequential 1-to-1 correspondence.
- **(D)** *rightfully*: ❌ Incorrect. Irrelevant to calendar correspondence.
**4. Official Master Key & Exam Takeaway**:
- **Official Answer**: **C**
- **Exam Rule**: Use *respectively* when ordering elements in parallel 1:1 lists.
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