TC : Contrast/Support Doubt

GRE GRE General
1

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My doubt is regarding the first blank. I understand that there are two possibilities, but I’m confused about the relationship between the two blanks.

If the second blank is showing that he expresses/shows his affection, then shouldn’t the first blank also indicate that he was not accused of showing his affection?

Since “accused” has a negative meaning, and “not accused” seems to negate that meaning, I was thinking that the “not” essentially cancels out the negative meaning of “accused.” Therefore, I thought the first blank should also have a meaning similar to the second blank.

So I assumed that the two blanks should be synonyms, rather than antonyms.

Could you please explain where my reasoning is going wrong?

2

If the second blank is showing that he expresses/shows his affection, then shouldn’t the first blank also indicate that he was not accused of showing his affection?

The semi-colon indicates that the both the sentences have the same idea.

Hence, if the old man shows affection for the kid, then he could not be accused of holding back his affection.

As per your statement, it means the old man shows his affection yet he is not accused of showing his affection. He must be accused of showing his affection. Hence, the antonyms in the blanks.