Understanding the Meaning of "Masked"

The question asks us to find the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "masked" as used in the sentence, "She deftly masked her feelings." The word "masked" in this context refers to the act of covering or concealing something, specifically feelings, so they are not visible or known to others.

Analyzing the Word "Masked" in Context

When you "mask" something, you are essentially putting a mask over it, preventing it from being seen or recognized. In the sentence, "She deftly masked her feelings," it means she skillfully hid or concealed her emotions. The word "deftly" implies she did it cleverly or skillfully.

Evaluating the Options for "Masked"

Let's look at the provided options and see which one is closest in meaning to "masked" in this specific sentence.

• Hid: To put or keep out of sight; conceal from the knowledge or notice of others. This definition directly matches the meaning of masking feelings.
• Flaunted: To display something ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration. This is the opposite of hiding or masking; it means showing something off.
• Oblique: Neither parallel nor at a right angle; sloping. (In grammar) Denoting any case other than the nominative or vocative. (Indirect and evasive). This word relates to angles or indirectness and is not relevant to concealing feelings.
• Obscured: To make unclear and difficult to see, hear, or understand. While obscuring feelings might make them less clear, masking feelings is primarily about preventing them from being seen or known at all, which is a stronger sense of concealment than mere obscurity. "Hid" is a more direct synonym for this complete concealment.

Comparing "Hid" and "Obscured" for "Masked"

Both "hid" and "obscured" involve some degree of concealment. However, "hid" suggests putting something completely out of sight or knowledge, whereas "obscured" suggests making it difficult but not necessarily impossible to see or understand. When talking about masking feelings, the intention is usually to prevent others from knowing what one is feeling, which aligns more closely with "hid."

Consider the difference:

• She hid her sadness. (No one knew she was sad).
• She obscured her sadness. (Her sadness was less obvious, maybe looked like tiredness or annoyance).

Masking feelings implies successfully preventing them from being known. Therefore, "hid" is the nearest and most accurate synonym for "masked" in this context.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the meaning of "masked" and the options provided, the word that is nearest in meaning is "Hid."

Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary

Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary Skills

Improving your vocabulary involves more than just memorizing lists of words. It's about understanding how words are used in different contexts. When you encounter an unfamiliar word like "masked," try to:

• Read the sentence carefully to grasp the overall meaning.
• Look for context clues that hint at the word's function or meaning.
• If given options, consider each one and see how it would change the meaning of the sentence if substituted.
• Think of other words you know that might be similar or opposite in meaning.

Regular reading and practicing with questions like this one are great ways to build your vocabulary and comprehension skills for exams.