Film is now widely respected as a serious art form: even Westerns, once (i) ___________ by most critics as patent escapism, are now commonly lauded as (ii) ___________ of creative expression by even the most jaded reviewers.
Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
(A) rhapsodized | (D) exemplars |
(B) deflected | (E) anomalies |
(C) derided | (F) antitheses |
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Solution
Ans : (C) derided, (D) exemplars
The clue for blank (i) is found in the second sentence, since those who criticize new-age administrators are heralded, making fashionable a good fit. Since there is a logical connection between criticizing and being heralded, incisively (sharply) is a good fit for the second blank.
I loved the way the movie conveyed its themes with (i) ___________, but most critics argued that its subtleties would have been better portrayed in a more (ii) ___________ way, so that its powerful message would be accessible to more people.
Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
(A) gallantry | (D) maladroit |
(B) vigor | (E) circuitous |
(C) nicety | (F) forthright |
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Solution
Ans : (B) vigor, (D) maladroit
The word despite signifies a shift, and so blank (i) must be a word like reprobate (evil) because the papers have ignored the criminality of forgery. The most helpful clue for blank (ii) is that the critics say the papers’ authors “lack (the) ethics and good sense,” so it makes sense that they lambasted (vigorously attacked) the papers.
Although at first the couple’s argument seemed to be about a___________matter, it soon became obvious that their disagreement stemmed from a fundamental schism.
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Solution
Ans : base
If impasses (obstacles with no obvious solution) are hurdled (overcome) with rapidity (speed), then it would not be surprising that a quagmire (difficult position) would not be worrisome.
Just as our professor was known for his curt answers to questions during the discussion group, so his book only provided___________explanations of most concepts.
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Solution
Ans: ambivalent
If direct insults are dangerous, it makes sense that slights (insults) are insinuated (hinted at) instead of declared.
The recent Lowbrow art movement of Los Angeles has inarguable (i) ___________. Original works by artists such as Mark Ryden, once only collected by a select few, have now garnered greater (ii) ___________ and often sell for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. The movement’s detractors need not be surprised, then, that more people are clamoring for these works to (iii) ___________ more classic pieces at galleries and museums.
Blank 1 | Blank 2 | Blank 3 |
(A) exploiting | (D) invisible | (G) detected |
(B) facing | (E) obvious | (H) implemented |
(C) manipulating | (F) unappealing | (I) generated |
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Solution
Ans : (A) exploiting, (E) obvious, (H) implemented
It is easiest to start with blank (ii): if the works were once only collected by a few and now sell for thousands of dollars, then approbation (approval) fits. Accordingly, blank (i) should also be complimentary to the art, so esteem (high regard) is logical. Blank (iii) should maintain the positive light in which these works are regarded, and if the works supplant (replace) old ones, such a tone is supported.
Despite the actor’s profession that (i) ___________ was the antithesis of art, his campy performance on the play’s opening night was undoubtedly (ii) ___________.
Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
(A) melodrama | (D) laconic |
(B) intransigence | (E) maudlin |
(C) indigence | (F) immutable |
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Solution
Ans: (A) melodrama, (E) maudlin
The word despite signifies an upcoming shift or contradiction in the sentence. Looking at the choices, melodrama (excessive drama) and maudlin (overly sentimental) create that shift, because, with those words in the sentence, the actor does something that contradicts what he claims to believe. Knowing the definition of antithesis (opposite) helps here.
The characteristic (i) ___________ of Victorian homes lies in stark contrast to the more modern style of houses designed recently: today’s architects are often utilitarian, discarding any architectural embellishments to the point that their style could almost be described as (ii) ___________ .
Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
(A) ornateness | (D) ascetic |
(B) blandishments | (E) concomitant |
(C) austerity | (F) labyrinthine |
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Solution
Ans : (A) ornateness , (D) ascetic
Since without further context both choices (A) and (C) could fit blank (i), it makes sense to begin with blank (ii). The architects are utilitarian (only focused on the useful), and they discard embellishments (decorations); their style could therefore be termed ascetic (severely simple in appearance), especially since given the clue “to the point that,” which indicates “to an extreme level.” The contrast to such a style would be ornateness (decorativeness).
The (i) ___________ amount of evidence connecting mental and physical health makes it all the more (ii) ___________ that most American physicians have, thus far, failed to factor this correlation into their instructions to patients. In contrast, practitioners of Eastern medicine have long prescribed treatments for both mind and body.
Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
(A) mediocre | (D) benign |
(B) overwhelming | (E) adamant |
(C) indistinct | (F) stupefying |
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Solution
Ans:- (B) overwhelming, (F) stupefying
Neither of the two blanks has a supporting clue in the sentence, so it is useful to think about the relationship between the blanks. If blank (i) was small, for instance, then blank (ii) could be a word like unsurprising. Looking at the choices, only overwhelming and stupefying (astonishing) create the necessary logic.
The public official, who had been quite ___________ during his campaign, became surprisingly contentious and even belligerent after being elected.
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Solution
Ans : conciliatory
If it is surprising that the official became contentious (tending to argue) and belligerent (hostile), then he must have been conciliatory (agreeable) beforehand.
It is hardly surprising that the two lobbyists’ opinions of the political system reflected their professed world views: the optimist considered government corruption to be, at worst, sporadic, while the cynic thought graft was___________.
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Solution
Ans :- ubiquitous
An optimist and a cynic will have contrasting world views, so if the optimist thinks corruption is sporadic (occasional), it is logical that the cynic believes graft (corruption) to be ubiquitous (ever-present). The use of the word while also signifies contrasting elements.