Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the given options and fill blank (iv).

Honesty (i) __________ truthfulness in word and deed. (ii) ________ honest man always says what he really (iii) _____. He hates (iv) _____ a lie. He always means what he says. He is frank. If he likes or dislikes anything, he says (v) ________ plainly. He prefers to be put to (vi) ________ rather than say what he believes to be (vii) _____. He is true to (viii) _____ word. He never backs out of his promise.

  1. to tell

  2. telling

  3. having told

  4. tells

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The verb 'hate' can take both infinitive ('to tell') and gerund ('telling') forms. In this formal educational context about honesty as a character trait, the infinitive 'to tell' is the preferred answer. 'Having told' (perfect gerund) is incorrect because it implies completion, and 'tells' doesn't grammatically fit after 'hates'.