This is the 8640th most frequent Russian word.
отвечая
"Answering" or "responding."
The word 'отвечая' is used as a gerund here, expressing an action (answering) concurrent with the main action (trying to speak clearly).
Отвечая на вопрос преподавателя, студенты старались говорить чётко.
Answering the teacher's question, the students tried to speak clearly.
Here, 'отвечая' also functions as a gerund, describing the action of answering concurrent with the decision to lie.
Мальчик, отвечая своей маме, решил соврать.
The boy, answering his mother, decided to lie.
In this sentence, 'отвечая' connects responsibility (being responsible) with the act of working, showing an ongoing characteristic related to the main action.