Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the highlighted segment in the given sentence.
The company experienced a significant drop in sales; consequently, it had to lay off several employees.

Correct option is B

The correct substitution of the highlighted word “consequently” is (b) accordingly.
Explanation:
Both “consequently” and “accordingly” serve as logical connectors that express a cause-effect relationship. The sentence implies that due to a significant drop in sales, the company had to lay off employees. “Accordingly” appropriately maintains the causal link.
Correct sentence: The company experienced a significant drop in sales; accordingly, it had to lay off several employees.
Grammatical rule used: Use of conjunctive adverbs to connect two independent clauses with a semicolon. “Accordingly” is a formal transition that signals a result.
✦ Explanation in Hindi: “Accordingly” और “consequently” दोनों का प्रयोग परिणाम व्यक्त करने के लिए किया जाता है। यह दर्शाता है कि कोई कार्य किस कारणवश हुआ।
Meanings of all options:
· (a) naturally – by nature, without external influence.
Hindi meaning: स्वाभाविक रूप से ❌
· (b) accordingly – as a result, therefore.
Hindi meaning: तदनुसार ✅
· (c) genuinely – truly, sincerely.
Hindi meaning: सच्चे दिल से ❌
· (d) superficially – on the surface, not deeply.
Hindi meaning: सतही रूप से ❌