Step 1: Read what the first blank needs to do.
The sentence says "he often _____ the numbers" and is followed by "False claims are not going to help." This tells us his habit with numbers is dishonest, he makes them look bigger or better than they really are. So the first blank needs a word close in meaning to overstating or inflating something.
Step 2: Read what the second blank needs to do.
The manager then says "Honesty _____ trust." This is a general statement about a good quality producing a good result. The blank needs a verb meaning to create or bring about, so that "honesty" is shown as the cause of "trust."
Step 3: Check option (A).
"Exaggerates" means to make something seem larger or more important than it actually is, which fits "he often exaggerates the numbers" and matches the idea of false claims perfectly. "Engenders" means to give rise to or produce, so "honesty engenders trust" reads as a clean cause and effect. Both halves work, so (A) is correct.
Step 4: Check option (B).
"Excels" normally takes "at" or "in" something, as in "excels at his job," not a direct object like "the numbers." So "he often excels the numbers" is not natural English, even though "honesty encourages trust" sounds fine by itself. Since one half fails, (B) is wrong.
Step 5: Check option (C).
"Aggravates" means to make a problem worse, but numbers are not a problem, so "aggravates the numbers" does not fit. "Alleviates" means to reduce something unpleasant, and trust is not unpleasant, so "honesty alleviates trust" makes no sense either. Both halves fail, so (C) is wrong.
Step 6: Check option (D).
"Diminishes the numbers" would mean he makes the figures smaller, which does not connect with "false claims," since shrinking a number is not the same as lying about it. "Honesty eliminates trust" is the opposite of what honesty actually does. Both halves fail, so (D) is wrong.
Final Answer:
Only "exaggerates; engenders" keeps both sentences logical, matching the manager's point that false claims (exaggeration) hurt trust, while honesty builds (engenders) it.
\[ \boxed{\text{Option (A)}} \]