Surely versus certainly

[drashti]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #214 "What comes next (the letter)", question 9

You haven't forgotten, .........?

(a) certainly
(b) surely
(c) clearly
(d) naturally

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #214 "What comes next (the letter)", answer 9

You haven't forgotten, surely?

Correct answer: (b) surely

Your answer was: incorrect
You haven't forgotten, certainly?
_________________________

Dear teacher,

Why certainly is incorrect? I didn't get that.

drashti

[Conchita]

In the sentence 'You haven't forgotten, surely?', we are not certain that you have forgotten, but fear that you may have. This is another way of saying: 'You can't have forgotten!' or 'Don't tell me you've forgotten!'.