Still in school, Sharukh Khan's debate coach noticed the young debater's…

Concept: In a two-blank sentence-completion question, look first for the “signal word” that links the two blanks — connectors like “rarely,” “however,” “although,” or “yet” signal that the two blanks must carry roughly OPPOSITE meanings, while words like “and” or “also” signal similar meanings. A valid option pair must satisfy whichever relationship the signal word demands.

Application: Here the coach praises the debater's “ability to answer questions ______,” but notes the debater “rarely” addressed anything in the manner named by the second blank. “Rarely” is the signal word, and it flips the sense between the two blanks: the debater is skilled in one style of answering and seldom uses the contrasting style. “Obliquely” (in an indirect, roundabout way) and “directly” (in a straightforward, forthright way) are genuine antonyms, so this pairing captures exactly that contrast — a debater skilled at sidestepping directness, who rarely answers head-on.

Cross-check — why the other pairs fail the same test:

• audaciously...brazenly: both words describe bold, shameless behaviour — near-synonyms, not opposites, so this pair fails the contrast “rarely” requires.

• ambiguously...disingenuously: unclear communication versus insincerity are different dimensions, not a true antonym pair, so the required opposition is missing.

• unequivocally...absolutely: both mean “with complete certainty/clarity” — synonyms, which is the opposite of what the contrast signal demands.

Only the pair that is a genuine set of antonyms satisfies the sentence's contrast structure.