Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank.

The columnist was very gentle when he mentioned his friends, but he was bitter and even _______ when he duscussed people who irritated him.

  1. acerbic

  2. remorseful

  3. stoical

  4. laconic

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

Acerbic means sharp, biting, or harsh in tone or manner. The sentence contrasts being 'gentle' with friends against being 'bitter and even _______' with irritating people. Acerbic perfectly captures the harsh, cutting tone that contrasts with gentleness. Remorseful means regretful, stoical means enduring pain without complaint, laconic means using few words - acerbic is the correct choice.