Double Possibility Homework Question - Doubt

Question:-

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My Doubt:-

Here, is it fair to make a semantic guess with a negative connotation for the word hide. My initial semantic guess for the second blank was fear.

Need help to ensure that I am not going into storytelling mode.

So are you doing connotation or semantics?

The word “hide” doesn’t have to be negative. If you can’t criticise somebody for something, that’s actually a good thing, right?