New York's bad manners are often condemned and often very deservedly. Even though the cause is carelessness rather than intentional indifference, the indifference is no less actual and the rudeness inexcusable. What is the closest meaning of the underlined phrase as it used in the excerpt? carefully scrutinized justifiably criticized undeniably improper thoroughly convincing

Let's make it clear that the underlined phrase should be "condemned and often very deservedly."

The option that is the closest in meaning to the underlined phrase is:

justifiably criticized.

Explanation:

According to the author of this passage, New Yorkers are often criticized for their rudeness, and they apparently deserve it. This is what he/she means by saying "condemned and often very deservedly." In other words, the criticism made is justifiable. There are indeed good reasons to see them as rude, even if they are just being careless. Therefore, we can say that the option that is closest in meaning to the phrase is "justifiably criticized."

active voice: my father cut the tree.

passive voice: the tree was cut by my father.

active voice: people buy newspapers every day.

passive voice: newspapers are bought (by people) every day.

active voice: people have been using movies as political propaganda since world war ii.

passive voice: movies have been used as political propaganda since world war ii.

active voice: donna gave me my birthday present.

passive voice: i was given my birthday present (by donna). / my birthday present was given to me (by donna).

active voice: mom will leave the keys on the counter.

passive voice: the keys will be left (by mom) on the counter.

the words in parentheses are the agent of the passive voice and can be omitted when obvious, generic, or simply unnecessary.