19. Select the meaning of the highlighted word in this sentence: Despite the absence of *overt* signs, Dr. Harris suspected that Alicia might be suffering from the flu.
Answer: B
Overt means apparent.
In this context, the word "overt" refers to something that is open, visible, or apparent. Dr. Harris suspected Alicia might be suffering from the flu despite the absence of any clear or visible signs of illness.
A) concealed
This option is incorrect because "concealed" means hidden or not visible, which is the opposite of "overt." If signs were concealed, they would not be apparent, contradicting the meaning of "overt."
B) apparent
This option is correct as "apparent" means something that is easily seen or understood. In the sentence, the absence of overt signs indicates that there are no clear signs visible, which aligns with the meaning of "apparent."
C) expert
This option is incorrect because "expert" refers to someone who has a high level of knowledge or skill in a particular area. It does not relate to the visibility or clarity of signs, making it irrelevant in this context.
D) delectable
This option is incorrect as "delectable" refers to something delicious or tasty. It has no connection to the visibility or clarity of symptoms, thus failing to align with the word "overt."
Conclusion
The correct answer is "apparent" because it accurately captures the meaning of "overt" in the context of the sentence, indicating the visibility or clarity of signs. All other options either contradict the definition or are unrelated to the concept of visibility, thus confirming that B is the only suitable choice.