The library wing was first conceived merely as (i) _________ to address the problem of book overstock until a more permanent solution could be found. Ironically, it was the flimsy nature of the wing itself that attracted such architectural interest and ultimately led to its canonization as a (ii) _________ of its kind. Now a statute exists
to protect this originally transient structure in (iii) _________.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
| a stopgap | paragon | consecration |
| an ornament | nadir | chronology |
| a modicum | catalyst | perpetuity |
-
Solution
A stopgap, paragon, perpetuity.
The implication of the phrase a more permanent solution is that the original building was not permanent: it was a stopgap, or a “temporary fix.” To “canonize” something literally means to “declare to be a saint,” but in its figurative sense, it means to “hold up as an exemplar,” or as a paragon. The third blank gets its clue from “originally,” indicating that you are looking for an opposite of “transient.”
At the beginning of the 20th century, wealthy business leaders piteously (i) _________ that child labor laws would ruin them and corrupt the youth; one hundred years later, members of the modern (ii) _________ similarly bemoan that any government intervention will bankrupt them and contribute to the moral (iii) _________ of the less-moneyed classes.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
| besmirched | oligarchy | rectitude |
| bleated | hierarchy | scruples |
| postulated | monarchy | turpitude |
-
Solution
Bleated, oligarchy, turpitude.
“Piteously” is the clue for the first blank. Bleated is used metaphorically here — to bleat is to make the weak, wavering cry of a sheep, goat, or calf. Basically, saying that someone is bleating is calling his complaints pathetic, which matches with the clue “piteously,” as well as the later “bemoan.” The part of the sentence after the semicolon matches the first part in structure — the second blank parallels “wealthy business leaders,” and the third mirrors “corrupt the youth” (turpitude is “depravity or immorality”).
During the mating season, mammals of many species may lie (i) _________ to their mates; yet, for the remainder of the year, some of those species lead utterly solitary and (ii) _________ existences.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
| paramount | inconsolable |
| apposed | irascible |
| enamored | eremitic |
-
Solution
Apposed, eremitic.
The pivot word yet means that the first blank will oppose “solitary,” and the second will agree with it. While the correct answers are extremely difficult words, all of the wrong answers are pretty standard GRE vocabulary words, so you should be able to answer this one by process of elimination.
Frederick the Great of Prussia was known for his (i) _________ under fire during his military victories; however, when confronting issues of domestic policy, this equilibrium sometimes failed him. He was often (ii) _________ with his ministers, who never knew when they might be subjected to one of his tirades.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
| intrepidity | fascist |
| cruelty | mercurial |
| sangfroid | vainglorious |
-
Solution
Sangfroid, mercurial.
A tricky structure — while the second blank is opposite of the clue “equilibrium” (because of the “however”), the first blank should actually have the same meaning as equilibrium.
Struggling with the uphill descent, the ancient jalopy blew a gasket when it reached the level plateau, and then the car slowly _________ to a stop.
-
Solution
Trundled.
The clue “slowly” points to the correct answer — only trundled can describe a slow movement from a car. Careened describes a fast, out-of-control movement, and tarried describes a person lingering.
The Donner party made a _________ choice to try to cross the Rockies too late in the season, and they paid dearly for that dangerous decision.
-
Solution
Parlous.
The correct answer must match “dangerous.” Note: suicidal is too extreme and not indicated by the sentence. (Even if you know what eventually happened to the Donner party, don’t use outside information!)
Crane Brinton argued that the middle phases of revolutions are especially (i) _________ because the unleashed force of social momentum transfers power inexorably from more stable (if oppressive) forces to less temperate ones. Yet, he then goes on to say that the excesses (ii) _________ and a more peaceful period of “Thermidor” ensues.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
| brusque | metastasize |
| berserk | grow |
| pacific | recede |
-
Solution
Berserk, recede.
Transferring power to “less temperate” forces would cause chaos. You also have the clue at the end — a “more peaceful” period comes later. So you need a pretty extreme opposite of “peaceful” in the first blank. Only berserk works. In the second sentence, excesses recede (reduce, pull back), allowing a more peaceful phase.
There are no other contemporary novelists whose works resemble those of Thomas Pynchon, but his appeal rests on more than the (i) _________ displayed in his work. In an age when novelists largely limit their observations to lightweight banter about sexuality, Pynchon still offers (ii) _________ commentary about human nature.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
| patrimony | trenchant |
| eccentricity | enigmatic |
| orthodoxy | insipid |
-
Solution
Eccentricity, trenchant.
The multiple negatives — “no other,” “but,” “more than” — make the first blank tricky. Fortunately, this blank follows “no other contemporary novelists whose works resemble [his].” Thus, you need a word that means something like “uniqueness.” In the second sentence, Pynchon’s work is being contrasted with “lightweight banter.” Trenchant conveys that Pynchon’s work is serious and cutting.
Modern political campaigns are so full of misrepresentations and worse that candor is an _________.
-
Solution
Anomaly.
You are told that politicians lie so much that candor (truth) is an _________. You need a word that means “exception” or “something unusual.”
As an evolutionary adaptation, cats have developed a mechanism whereby their heads are measuring devices, as their bodies can fit through any space that their heads can, and this physiology is a safeguard that _________ their success as a species.
-
Solution
Enhances.
You simply need a word here that means “helps.” Don’t fall for ensures, which is too extreme. Having a head that can measure spaces is cool, but hardly guarantees the success of a species.