Fenton's motives were clearly (i) _______ , yet Fenton tried
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04 Oct 2025, 11:33
First blank:
"Fenton's motives were clearly (i) _______ yet Fenton tried ... to _______ his innocence."
The word "yet" signals a contrast: his motives were clearly X , but he tried to claim innocence. So X must mean "not innocent" or "morally bad."
- A. aboveboard - honest and legitimate - that would mean he is innocent, so no contrast.
- B. base - dishonorable, selfish - fits: motives are bad, but he claims innocence.
- C. overt - open, not hidden - doesn't give the needed moral contrast; overt motives could be good or bad.
So B. base for the first blank.
Second blank:
He tried to "(ii) _______ his innocence" in an ingratiating way.
If his motives are base (dishonorable), he would be trying to assert or claim his innocence despite the facts.
- D. maintain - assert, declare - fits.
- E. dismiss - reject - opposite of what's needed.
- F. hide - conceal - doesn't fit; if he's claiming innocence, he's not hiding it.
So D. maintain for the second blank.
Answer: B, D