Understanding the Question

The question asks us to find the most appropriate synonym for the word "startlingly" as used in the sentence: "In his youth Joyonto must have been startlingly handsome." We need to choose from the given options.

Meaning of "Startlingly"

The word "startlingly" is an adverb. It comes from the verb "startle," which means to surprise or frighten someone suddenly. Therefore, "startlingly" means in a way that is surprising, astonishing, or remarkable. When describing handsomeness, "startlingly handsome" suggests a level of handsomeness that is so great it is surprising or astonishing.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the meanings of the given options:

• enviously: This adverb means in a way that shows envy (a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck).
• lightly: This adverb means with little weight or force, gently, or without seriousness.
• wrinkly: This is an adjective (though presented as an adverb option, which is unusual). It describes something having wrinkles. Used adverbially (like "wrinkly"), it would mean in a wrinkled manner. This doesn't fit the context of handsomeness.
• amazingly: This adverb means in a way that causes great surprise or wonder; astonishingly or wonderfully.

Let's compare these meanings to "startlingly" in the context of describing how handsome someone was.

Identifying the Most Appropriate Synonym

Comparing the meanings, "amazingly" is the closest synonym to "startlingly" when describing someone's appearance, specifically their handsomeness. Both words convey a sense of surprise or astonishment at the degree of the quality being described. "Startlingly handsome" means handsome in a way that startles or surprises you, just as "amazingly handsome" means handsome in a way that amazes you.

The other options ("enviously", "lightly", "wrinkly") do not convey a similar meaning and are not appropriate synonyms in this context.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the word meanings and the context of the sentence, "amazingly" is the most appropriate synonym for "startlingly".

Revision Table: Synonyms for Startlingly

Additional Information: Adverbs of Degree

Words like "startlingly" and "amazingly" are adverbs that modify adjectives (like "handsome") to indicate the degree or intensity of the quality. Other adverbs of degree include:

• Very
• Extremely
• Incredibly
• Remarkably
• Unusually
• Terribly (can mean "very" in informal contexts, e.g., "terribly sorry")

These adverbs help to provide more detail about the extent to which a quality exists.