In keeping with his own (i)____ in international diplomacy, Churchill proposed a personal meeting of heads of government, but the effort was (ii)____ , as the temper of the times was (iii)____.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
| peccadilloes | doomed to failure | amicable |
| aversions | instantly accepted | auspicious |
| predilections | considered worthwhile | inimical |
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Solution
Correct Answer: predilections, doomed to failure, inimical
Explanation:
Read the sentence and see whether you can suggest a word of your own for one of the blanks. The ‘but’ indicates an opposition to the proposed meeting, and makes it likely that ‘doomed to failure’ is better than the two positive choices for the second blank. It sounds as though the meeting was doomed because the temper of the times was unsuitable. This would suggest that another negative will be needed will be needed for the third blank. Of the choices, only ‘inimical’ is negative. Then it is unlikely that he would arrange a meeting in keeping with his own aversions; he would do so in keeping with his own inclinations (‘predilections’).
(predilections = tendencies, inclinations; inimical = hostile; amicable = friendly; peccadilloes = failings or minor sins)
While unwilling to forgo the benefits of standardized testing, many European countries are seeking to (i)____ individual (ii)____ which state examinations with their (iii)____ growth have bought in their train.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
| increase control over | spontaneity | randomizing effects |
| diminish the check on | limitations | tyrannous growth |
| increase awareness of | persecution | empowering actions |
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Solution
Correct Answer: diminish the check on , spontaneity , tyrannous growth
Explanation:
The word ‘while’ is an important clue. These countries are unwilling to forego the benefits of standardized testing, ‘while’ (yet at the same time) seeking to do something else. The ‘something else’ will need to be in opposition to these tests. Hence, the last blank is easiest to attack first as we need something negative about examinations. If we take ‘tyrannous growth’ then we can return to the other two blanks and say that that countries are seeking to ‘diminish the check on’ individual ‘spontaneity’. This makes sense as standardized tests might be expected to reduce spontaneity in favor of standardization.
(empowering = giving power; spontaneity = impulsiveness, freedom from restraint; tyrannous = harsh, repressive)
In this biography we are given a glimpse of the young man (i)____ pursuing the path of the poet despite (ii)____ and rejection slips.
| Blank (i) A. unsuccessfully B. sporadically C. doggedly |
Blank (ii) D. acclaim E. disappointment F. encouragement |
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Solution
Correct Answer: C,E
Explanation:
Clue: ‘despite’ indicates something contrary. So, despite the rejection slips he pursues his path ‘doggedly’ or tirelessly. But since the ‘and’ links similar things he is getting ‘disappointment’ along with the rejection slips, not encouragement or acclaim.
(doggedly = never giving up; sporadically = on and off; acclaim = praise)
Through the 19th Century, the classics of Western Civilization were considered the (i)____ of wisdom and culture, and an (ii)____ person – by definition – knew them well.
| Blank (i) A. repository B. obituary C. frontispiece |
Blank (ii) D. educated E. ecclesiastical F. obtuse |
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Solution
Correct Answer: A,D
Explanation:
Clue: ‘by definition’ a person who knows things well is an educated person. Therefore, saying that the classics were considered a storehouse (‘repository’) of wisdom, and that an ‘educated’ person knew them well, makes perfect sense.
(frontispiece = illustration at the beginning of a book; obtuse = mentally dull; font = source; ecclesiastical = concerned with the church)
After an initially warm reception by most reviewers and continued ____ by conservative thinkers, Bloom’s work came under heavy fire.
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Solution
Correct Answer: endorsement
Explanation:
Clue: ‘and’ usually links things of similar nature. So, the reception was warm and then continued to get approval or support (‘endorsement’). Also the word ‘initially’ suggests that something changed into its opposite. Therefore, the work was initially endorsed and then came under fire (was attacked).
(denigration = negative criticism; refutation = proving wrong)
The preliminary review concludes that Dr. Stuart needs to (i)____ his argument with more experimental data. In its current avatar his thesis is so (ii)____ that it must be deemed (iii)____.
| Blank (i) A. define B. bolster C. culminate |
Blank (ii) D. exigent E. monumental F. slight |
Blank (iii) G. succinct H. profound I. inadequate |
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Solution
Correct Answer: B,F,I
Explanation:
Clue: The two sentences complement each other. If he needs more experimental data the review must suggest that he add material to ‘bolster’ (strengthen) his argument. If it is short on matter we could call it ‘slight’ and therefore ‘inadequate’.
(culminate = end; exigent = urgent; profound = deeply significant; bolster = support; succinct = short and well expressed)
We humans are selfish creatures, continuing to (i)____ the use of plastic bags, those (ii)____ symbols of consumer society. Wherever you travel you see them clogging drains, polluting beaches and generally threatening the well-being of the biosphere.
| Blank (i) A. condone B. attenuate C. abrogate |
Blank (ii) D. ubiquitous E. fleeting F. covert |
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Solution
Correct Answer: A,D
Explanation:
Since human beings are described as selfish for letting the plastic bags clog the environment, we can deduce that the author thinks we are tolerating this abuse, and ‘condone’ becomes the best word for the first blank. And, since the bags are found everywhere you travel they must be ‘ubiquitous’. [This question is a simple matter of vocabulary…either you know the meanings or you do not. Learn your word lists!] (condone = give silent approval to; attenuate = weaken; abrogate = cancel and deny; fleeting = short-lived; ubiquitous = found everywhere; covert = hidden, stealthy)
Our bookshelves at home display a range of books on wide-ranging subjects and in many languages, reflecting the ____ tastes of our family members.
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Solution
Correct Answer: eclectic
Explanation:
Clue: Since there is a wide range of books, then the family must have wide ranging tastes. So, we choose ‘eclectic’ which means taking things from a wide range of sources.
(anomalous = odd; arcane = obscure; furtive = stealthy)
A businessman must (i)____ his horizons; a (ii)____ attitude will get you nowhere in this age of global communications.
| Blank (i) A. limit B. foresee C. widen |
Blank (ii) D. parochial E. moderate F. comprehensive |
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Solution
Correct Answer: C,D
Explanation:
The part after the semicolon should amplify what came first. The most logical way to complete the sentence would be to say that in an age of global communications a narrow (parochial) attitude is useless, and the businessman should have a broad outlook (widen his horizons). Note that it is often useful to read the sentence in reverse order.
(parochial = concerned with local matters, narrow-minded)
Scrooge, in the famous novel by Dickens, was a ____ ; he hated the rest of mankind.
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Solution
Correct Answer: misanthrope
Explanation:
Clue: The part of the sentence after the semicolon defines the word needed for the blank. So, since he ‘hated mankind’, the word we need is ‘misanthrope’ (a hater of the rest of mankind). This question is purely a test of vocabulary.
(hypochondriac = someone excessively worried about his/her health; philanthropist = generous person, lover of mankind; hedonist = pleasure seeker; sybarite = lover of luxury)