To highlight Albert Einstein’s image as a _______ scholar, there is an exaggerated tale floating around that his request to shut a window was the first sentence he had uttered in five years.
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Solution
( C. reticent , E. laconic )
A story about Einstein not uttering a sentence in five years would emphasize his image as a quiet scholar. Both loquacious and garrulous are nearly the opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (A) and (F). Neither consummate, which means perfect, nor judicious, which means showing good judgment, is supported by the sentence, so eliminate choices (B) and (D). Both reticent and laconic can mean using few words, so choices (C) and (E) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.
Concerned about being assigned the job of analyzing a poem which might be esoteric in meaning, Erika was delighted to be given instead Roethke’s “The Waking,” the _______ of which she embraced.
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Solution
( C. cogency , E. lucidity )
Someone worried about having to analyze an esoteric poem would be delighted to get one that was clear or easily understood, so something like clarity would make sense in the blank. Both ambiguity and opacity are nearly the opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (B) and (F). Neither cadency, which means rhythm, nor melancholy, which means sadness, is supported by the sentence, so eliminate choices (A) and (D). Both cogency and lucidity can mean clarity, so choices (C) and (E) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.
The company’s new president immediately embarked upon a strategy of reorganization, but informed investors that these steps, while the most _____ and therefore undertaken first, would be among many required to turn the company around.
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Solution
( C. paramount , D. exigent )
The blank is about the first steps taken as part of the strategy of organization. The clues indicate that these steps were among many required steps and were therefore undertaken first and immediately. Thus, they were the most immediate of the required steps. Choices (C) and (D) indicate the immediacy and importance of the steps, and are correct. Choice (A) does not reflect the clue, and choice (B) is the opposite of the word you need and incorrect. There is no information in the sentence to support the remaining choices.
The calamitous event transformed the once unspoiled seascape into the very embodiment of _______.
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Solution
( A. cataclysm , F. obliteration )
The clues to the blank are that it was once unspoiled before the calamitous event, which indicates that it is now damaged, the word you are looking for. Choices (A) and (F) can be used to describe physical destruction and are the best answers. Choices (C), (D), and (E), may refer to the people who live near the seascape, but the blank is only about the seascape and there are no clues about its inhabitants. Choice (B) does not provide a good substitute for destroyed or spoiled.
The politician insisted that he did not seek to enrich himself during the campaign, but the ethics committee concluded that he was motivated by _______.
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Solution
( B. greed , D. avarice )
The sentence tells us that the politician claimed that he did not seek to enrich himself. However, the trigger word but indicates that the blank will have the opposite meaning: He did attempt to enrich himself. Choices (B) and (D) work in this context. Choices (A) and (E) go in the wrong direction, as they describe what the politician claimed, and choices (C) and (F) have no relationship to the blank.
It is difficult to provide _______ proof for the existence of ghosts and other spiritual beings that remain unseen by the majority of the population.
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Solution
( A. indisputable , F. demonstrable )
Since ghosts are described as unseen by the majority, it must be difficult to provide visible or definite proof. Indisputable and demonstrable both convey the meaning you want, and produce equivalent, appropriate sentences. Choice (D) means important. Choice (B) means intimidating and choice (C) means mysterious. Skeptical may be a good word to describe those who don’t see the ghosts, but it can’t describe the proof.
It is generally assumed to be _______ to increase taxes on the middle class without a proportional increase on the taxes of the upper class as well.
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Solution
( A. untenable , C. indefensible )
The sentence suggests that it is unfair to tax the middle class unless the upper class is taxed as well. Sporadic means occurring at random times, subtle means barely noticeable, dignified means expressing worthiness or honor, and pardonable means forgivable. None of these fit the idea of unfair. Choices (A) and (C) come closest to unfair or unable to be justified.
The _______ at the gala was not conducive to enjoyment; the presence of many direct political rivals filled the air with tension.
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Solution
( C. ambience , E. atmosphere )
The clue in this sentence is filled the air with tension. Both ambience and atmosphere refer to the environment of a place or situation. All of the wrong answer choices are words that may be associated with a gala, but they do not fit this clue. Choice (B) may seem close, but the rest of the sentence does not tell you what the party-goers were discussing. Choice (E) may also seem like a good fit, but again, the sentence does not tell you how people were acting. Choice (A) would refer to decorations and choice (F) would refer to an activity.
Although the book reveals some surprising information about the sharp-eyed Secret- Service employees, most people already know that such people are far more _______ than the average citizen.
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Solution
( E. vigilant , F. mindful )
Given the clue most people already know, you know that the way the Secret Service employees are described in the first part of the sentence—in this case sharp-eyed—is the same as the way they are described in the second part. Thus, vigilant and mindful are appropriate for the blank. Robust and potent are a synonym pair which means strong, which is not supported by the clue, although they may indeed be strong people. They may also be vulnerable in some ways, but this choice would be the opposite of the intended meaning. The same applies for weary, which means tired.
The con artist was so _______ that he most often left his victims feeling pleased that they had given him their money.
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Solution
( B. crafty , C. cunning )
To describe a con artist who left his victims pleased to be victimized, you’d need a word that means something like skillful or tricky. Both maladroit and unskillful are nearly the opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (D) and (F). Neither innocuous, which means harmless, nor discrete, which means distinct, is supported by the sentence, so eliminate choices (A) and (E). Both crafty and cunning can mean tricky, so choices (B) and (C) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences. If you were tempted by choice (E) because a good con artist would be able to keep a secret, be sure to distinguish discrete from discreet.