Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank so that the sentence…

Concept

An adjective describes a noun or pronoun, whereas an adverb can modify an adjective.

When the intended meaning is degree, the modifier before an adjective should express how much or to what extent the quality applies.

Application

The target meaning is “rich to a very great degree.” In “Everyone says that he is now ______ rich,” the blank modifies the adjective “rich.” “Enormously” is the degree adverb meaning “to a very great extent,” so the completed sentence is “Everyone says that he is now enormously rich.”

Contrast

• “Continuously” describes something continuing without interruption over time; it does not express the degree of richness.

• “Enormously” expresses a very great degree, which is the stated meaning.

• “Repeatedly” describes something happening many times; richness is a state here, not a repeated event.

• “Surprisingly” adds the speaker’s reaction that something is unexpected; the prompt instead asks for degree.

Cross-check

Replace the blank with the intended meaning “to a very great degree.” The degree adverb that expresses that meaning is “enormously,” yielding the natural phrase “enormously rich.”

Result

The sentence is completed with “enormously.”