RDNZ_2026-ISSUE0809_DIGITAL MAGAZINE

1. cogently adv. ('koh-juhnt-lee) A cautiously B collectively C convincingly 2. gratis adv. ('gra-tuhs) A free of charge B in appreciation of C with cheese 3. discreetly adv. (dih-'skreet-lee) A piece by piece B avoiding notice C at once 4. alfresco adv. (al-'freh-skoh) A freehand B altogether C outdoors Adverbs pack a punch. They modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs and even whole sentences. These grammatical workhorses explain a lot: When? Where? In what way? For each one below, read the options closely and select your answer decisively. Turn the page quickly to see if you chose correctly. 9. in situ adv. (in-'sigh-too) A at first glance B by the book C in the original position 10. pell-mell adv. (pel-'mel) A so-so B wildly C neatly 11. eminently adv. ('eh-muh-nuhnt-lee) A highly B shortly C widely 12. asunder adv. (uh-'suhn-dr) A underground B second C apart 13. hitherto adv. ('hih-thr-too) A therefore B until now C farther 14. duly adv. ('doo-lee) A doubly B appropriately C plainly 15. prolifically adv. (pruh-'li-fik-lee) A wastefully B handsomely C plentifully 5. ostensibly adv. (ah-'sten-suh-blee) A supposedly B falsely C awkwardly 6. plumb adv. (pluhm) A on both sides B underfoot C in a vertical line 7. askance adv. (uh-'skans) A in a hurry B with distrust C upside down 8. blithely adv. ('blighth-lee) A cheerfully B inhumanely C mistakenly BY Sarah Chassé reader ’ s digest 126   August/september 2026 Brain Games reader ’ s digest WORD POWER XUBINGRUO/GETTY IMAGES Truly, Madly, Deeply A lot of great writers hate adverbs, especially ones ending in ly . “The road to hell is paved with adverbs,” Stephen King once said. Mark Twain, Toni Morrison and Elmore Leonard alsoweren’t fans. Although too many adverbs clutter prose, they can be effective, as the famously terse Ernest Hemingway shows in The Sun Also Rises : “How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked. “Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually and then suddenly.” 1. cogently (C) convincingly Students in debate club learn to argue cogently and respectfully. 2. gratis (A) free of charge “When you dine here on your birthday, we offer dessert gratis,” the maître d’ said. 3. discreetly (B) avoiding notice As the meeting dragged on, Siobhan discreetly checked her watch. 4. alfresco (C) outdoors What a beautiful day— shall we dine alfresco? 5. ostensibly (A) supposedly Though the book is ostensibly fiction, it mirrors the author’s life. 6. plumb (C) in a vertical line Norm set each fence post plumb in the wet concrete. 7. askance (B) with distrust The villagers look askance at outsiders. 8. blithely (A) cheerfully Tatum blithely ignored the rain as she began her hike. 9. in situ (C) in the original position Fossils preserved in situ offer insight into how the animals died. 10. pell-mell (B) wildly My dogs jump around pell-mell when they hear the word treat . 11. eminently (A) highly The eminently quotable Yogi Berra once said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” 12. asunder (C) apart The tornado tore the old oak tree asunder. 13. hitherto (B) until now The biologist was thrilled to have found a hitherto unknown slug species, not least because she then got to name it. 14. duly (B) appropriately “Your objection has been duly noted, Counselor!” Judge Cruz barked. 15. prolifically (C) plentifully Karli posts prolifically on Instagram, sharing every detail of her life. Vocabulary Ratings 9 & below: passably 10-12: amply 13-15: splendidly Word Power ANSWERS readersdigest.co.nz     127 reader ’ s digest