Question

complete the text with the correct pair of words.
mr. burke _ his napkin on the table and, with a __ nod to his wife,
that he was ready to leave the party.
laid... discreet lay... discrete
lay... discreet laid... discrete

Explanation:

1. For the first blank: "laid" is the past tense of the transitive verb "lay" (meaning to place something), which requires an object (here, "his napkin"). "Lay" is the past tense of the intransitive verb "lie" (meaning to recline), which does not take an object, so it is incorrect here.
2. For the second blank: "discreet" means careful to avoid attracting attention, which fits the context of a subtle nod to his wife. "Discrete" means separate or distinct, which is irrelevant to this context.

Answer:

laid . . . discreet