Which word means 'only, without any others being included or involved'?

Which word means 'only, without any others being included or involved'?

• A. solely
• B. merely
• C. partly
• D. in excess of

Answer: (A)

Exclusivity is being tested here—the idea is to express that something includes only one thing and no others. The word that nails this sense is solely, which means "only" or "exclusively." It makes clear that nothing else participates or is involved. For example, "The project was funded solely by the sponsor" shows there were no other funding sources involved. Merely can mean "just" or "only" in some contexts, but it often carries a lighter or more ironic tone and isn’t as strong in signaling complete exclusion. Partly means not completely; it indicates a portion rather than the whole. In excess of refers to quantity beyond a bound and has nothing to do with exclusivity. So solely is the precise choice for conveying that nothing else is involved.

Exclusivity is being tested here—the idea is to express that something includes only one thing and no others. The word that nails this sense is solely, which means "only" or "exclusively." It makes clear that nothing else participates or is involved. For example, "The project was funded solely by the sponsor" shows there were no other funding sources involved.

Merely can mean "just" or "only" in some contexts, but it often carries a lighter or more ironic tone and isn’t as strong in signaling complete exclusion. Partly means not completely; it indicates a portion rather than the whole. In excess of refers to quantity beyond a bound and has nothing to do with exclusivity. So solely is the precise choice for conveying that nothing else is involved.