In the name of ALLAH, the most beneficient, the most merciful

Solved Examples (Text Completion)

Directions: Select one entry for each blank from the corresponding column of choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.

  1. Unlike other examples of ________ verse, Milton's Lycidas does more than merely mourn the death of Edward King; it also denounces corruption in the church in which King was ordained.

    (A) satiric
    (B) elegiac
    (C) free
    (D) didactic
    (E) pedestrian
    Unlike other examples of elegiac verse, Milton's Lycidas does more than merely mourn the death of Edward King; it also denounces corruption in the church in which King was ordained.
  2. Just as disloyalty is the mark of the renegade, (i)________ is the mark of the (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) avarice
    (B) cowardice
    (C) vanity
    Blank (ii)
    (D) craven
    (E) leggard
    (F) misanthrope
    Just as disloyalty is the mark of the renegade, (i)cowardice is the mark of the (ii)craven.
  3. Because she had areputation for (i)________, we were surprised and pleased when she greeted us so (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) graciousness
    (B) credulity
    (C) petulance
    Blank (ii)
    (D) affably
    (E) disdainfully
    (F) irascibly
    Because she had areputation for (i)petulance, we were surprised and pleased when she greeted us so (ii)affably.
  4. Despite an affected (i)________ that convinced casual observers that he was (ii)________ about his painting and cared only for frivolity, Warhol cared deeply about his art and labored at it (iii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) fervor
    (B) gloom
    (C) nonchalance
    Blank (ii)
    (D) indifferent
    (E) passionate
    (F) systematic
    Blank (iii)
    (G) ambivalently
    (H) diligently
    (I) intermittently
    Despite an affected (i)nonchalance that convinced casual observers that he was (ii)indifferent about his painting and cared only for frivolity, Warhol cared deeply about his art and labored at it (iii)diligently.
  5. Although a few years ago the fundamental facts about the Milky Way seemed fairly well (i)________, now even its mass and its radius have come into (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) diminished
    (B) established
    (C) disparaged
    Blank (ii)
    (D) disrepute
    (E) prominence
    (F) question
    Although a few years ago the fundamental facts about the Milky Way seemed fairly well (i)established, now even its mass and its radius have come into (ii)question.
  6. One of the most (i)________ educators in New York, Dr. Shalala (ii)________ a controversy in 1984 by calling the city public schools a "rotten barrel" in needof (iii)________ reform.

    Blank (i)
    (A) indifferent
    (B) outspoken
    (C) eclectic
    Blank (ii)
    (D) diverted
    (E) ignited
    (F) defused
    Blank (iii)
    (G) partial
    (H) superficial
    (I) systemic
    One of the most (i)outspoken educators in New York, Dr. Shalala (ii)ignited a controversy in 1984 by calling the city public schools a "rotten barrel" in needof (iii)systemic reform.
  7. The newest fiber-optic cables that carry telephone calls cross-country are made of glass so ________ that a piece 100 miles thick is clearer than a standard windowpane.

    (A) fragile
    (B) immaculate
    (C) iridescent
    (D) tangible
    (E) transparent
    The newest fiber-optic cables that carry telephone calls cross-country are made of glass so transparent that a piece 100 miles thick is clearer than a standard windowpane.
  8. The texts as we have them were written down and edited carefully by Christians proud of their ancestors but unable to bear the thought of their indulging in heathen practices; thus, all references to the ancient religion of the Celts were (i)________, if not (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) aggrieved
    (B) detailed
    (C) muddied
    Blank (ii)
    (D) ironic
    (E) overawed
    (F) suppressed
    The texts as we have them were written down and edited carefully by Christians proud of their ancestors but unable to bear the thought of their indulging in heathen practices; thus, all references to the ancient religion of the Celts were (i)muddied, if not (ii)suppressed.
  9. To alleviate the problem of contaminated chicken, the study panel recommends that the federal government shift its inspection emphasis from cursory bird-by-bird check to a more ________ random sampling for bacterial and chemical contamination.

    (A) discreet
    (B) perfunctory
    (C) rigorous
    (D) solicitous
    (E) symbolic
    To alleviate the problem of contaminated chicken, the study panel recommends that the federal government shift its inspection emphasis from cursory bird-by-bird check to a more rigorous random sampling for bacterial and chemical contamination.
  10. The orator was so (i)________ that the audience soon became (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) bombastic
    (B) inaudible
    (C) soporific
    Blank (ii)
    (D) drowsy
    (E) irresolute
    (F) moribund
    The orator was so (i)soporific that the audience soon became (ii)drowsy.
  11. Her true feelings (i)________ themselves in her sarcastic asides; only then was her (ii)________ revealed.

    Blank (i)
    (A) anticipated
    (B) concealed
    (C) manifested
    Blank (ii)
    (D) anxiety
    (E) bitterness
    (F) charm
    Her true feelings (i)manifested themselves in her sarcastic asides; only then was her (ii)bitterness revealed.
  12. The suggar dissolved in water (i)________; finally all that remained was an almost (ii)________ residue on the bottom of the glass.

    Blank (i)
    (A) gradually
    (B) quickly
    (C) subsequently
    Blank (ii)
    (D) fragrant
    (E) imperceptible
    (F) problematic
    The suggar dissolved in water (i)gradually; finally all that remained was an almost (ii)imperceptible residue on the bottom of the glass.
  13. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japanese-Americans were (i)________ of being spies for Japan, although there was no evidence to (ii)________ this accusation.

    Blank (i)
    (A) acquitted
    (B) reminded
    (C) suspected
    Blank (ii)
    (D) back up
    (E) carry out
    (F) shrug off
    After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japanese-Americans were (i)suspected of being spies for Japan, although there was no evidence to (ii)back up this accusation.
  14. Mencken's readers enjoyed his (i)________ wit, but his victims often (ii)________ at the broad, yet pointed satire.

    Blank (i)
    (A) cutting
    (B) kindly
    (C) subtle
    Blank (ii)
    (D) connived
    (E) smiled
    (F) winced
    Mencken's readers enjoyed his (i)cutting wit, but his victims often (ii)winced at the broad, yet pointed satire.
  15. After having worked in the soup kitchenfeeding the homeless, the volunteer began to see her own good fortune as (i)________ and her difference from the destitute as chance rather than (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) a fluke
    (B) an omen
    (C) a reward
    Blank (ii)
    (D) destiny
    (E) resolution
    (F) tradition
    After having worked in the soup kitchenfeeding the homeless, the volunteer began to see her own good fortune as (i)a fluke and her difference from the destitute as chance rather than (ii)destiny.
  16. Chaoticin conception but not in ________, Kelly's canvases are as neat as the proverbial pin.

    (A) conceit
    (B) execution
    (C) intent
    (D) origin
    (E) theory
    Chaoticin conception but not in execution, Kelly's canvases are as neat as the proverbial pin.
  17. During the middle of the eighteen century, the (i)________ style in furniture and architecture, markedby elaborate scrollwork and (ii)________ decoration, flourished.

    Blank (i)
    (A) abstract
    (B) medieval
    (C) rococo
    Blank (ii)
    (D) austere
    (E) excessive
    (F) functional
    During the middle of the eighteen century, the (i)rococo style in furniture and architecture, markedby elaborate scrollwork and (ii)excessive decoration, flourished.
  18. Tocqueville decided to swear the oath of loyalty to the new Orleanist king in part (i)________ (he wanted to keep his position as magistrate), and in part (ii)________ (he was convinced that the democratization of politics represented by the new regime was inevitable).

    Blank (i)
    (A) opportunistically
    (B)selflessly
    (C) theoretically
    Blank (ii)
    (D) altruistically
    (E) irresolutely
    (F) pragmatically
    Tocqueville decided to swear the oath of loyalty to the new Orleanist king in part (i)opportunistically (he wanted to keep his position as magistrate), and in part (ii)pragmatically (he was convinced that the democratization of politics represented by the new regime was inevitable).
  19. In seeking to rediscover Zora Neale Hurston, it is intriguing to look at the figure she cut in the minds of her contemporaries, the high regard she (i)________ before shifting aesthetic values (ii)________ her to curio status.

    Blank (i)
    (A) deplored
    (B) enjoyed
    (C) offered
    Blank (ii)
    (D) elevated
    (E) relegated
    (F) suspended
    In seeking to rediscover Zora Neale Hurston, it is intriguing to look at the figure she cut in the minds of her contemporaries, the high regard she (i)enjoyed before shifting aesthetic values (ii)relegated her to curio status.
  20. The tapeworm is an example of (i)________ organism, one that lives within or on another creature, (ii)________ some or all of its nutrients from its host.

    Blank (i)
    (A) an autonomous
    (B) a hospitable
    (C) a parasitic
    Blank (ii)
    (D) converting
    (E) deriving
    (F) sublimating
    The tapeworm is an example of (i)a parasitic organism, one that lives within or on another creature, (ii)deriving some or all of its nutrients from its host.
  21. Mr. Sutcliffe's helpful notes on her latest wine discoveries and her no-nonsense warnings to consumers about (i)________ wines provide (ii)________ guide to the numbing array of wines of Burgundy.

    Blank (i)
    (A) overpriced
    (B) superior
    (C) vintage
    Blank (ii)
    (D) an inadequate
    (E) a spotty
    (F) a trusty
    Mr. Sutcliffe's helpful notes on her latest wine discoveries and her no-nonsense warnings to consumers about (i)overpriced wines provide (ii)a trusty guide to the numbing array of wines of Burgundy.
  22. Measurement is, like any other human endeavor, a complex activity, subject to (i)________, not always used properly, and frequently misinterpreted and (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) coorelation
    (B) error
    (C) legislation
    Blank (ii)
    (D) analyzed
    (E) incorporated
    (F) misunderstood
    Measurement is, like any other human endeavor, a complex activity, subject to (i)error, not always used properly, and frequently misinterpreted and (ii)misunderstood.
  23. Just as insincerity is the mark of the (i)________, boastfulness is the mark of the (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) zealot
    (B) skeptic
    (C) hypocrite
    Blank (ii)
    (D) glutton
    (E) autocrat
    (F) braggart
    Just as insincerity is the mark of the (i)hypocrite, boastfulness is the mark of the (ii)braggart.
  24. For Mir6, art became (i)________ ritual; paper and pencils were holy objects to him, and he worked as though he were (ii)________ a religious rite.

    Blank (i)
    (A) a cryptic
    (B) an electric
    (C) a sacred
    Blank (ii)
    (D) absolving
    (E) performing
    (F) protracing
    For Mir6, art became (i)a sacred ritual; paper and pencils were holy objects to him, and he worked as though he were (ii)performing a religious rite.
  25. If the Titanic had hit the iceberg head on, its watertight compartments might have saved it from (i)________, but the great liner swerved to (ii)________ the iceberg, and in the collision so many compartments were opened to the sea that disaster was (iii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) adversity
    (B) denouement
    (C) foundering
    Blank (ii)
    (D) avoid
    (E) contract
    (F) mollify
    Blank (iii)
    (G) averted
    (H) inevitable
    (I) limited
    If the Titanic had hit the iceberg head on, its watertight compartments might have saved it from (i)foundering, but the great liner swerved to (ii)void the iceberg, and in the collision so many compartments were opened to the sea that disaster was (iii)inevitable.
  26. We have become so democratic in our habits of thought that we are convinced that truth is (i)________ through a (ii)________ of facts.

    Blank (i)
    (A) assimilated
    (B) determined
    (C) exculpated
    Blank (ii)
    (D) hierarchy
    (E) plebiscite
    (F) transcendence
    We have become so democratic in our habits of thought that we are convinced that truth is (i)determined through a (ii)plebiscite of facts.
  27. The writer's (i)________ use of language renders a usually uninspiring topic, economics, known as "the dismal science", uncommonly (ii)________.

    Blank (i)
    (A) pedestrian
    (B) felicitous
    (C) grandiloquent
    Blank (ii)
    (D) engaging
    (E) abstruse
    (F) contentious
    The writer's (i)felicitous use of language renders a usually uninspiring topic, economics, known as "the dismal science", uncommonly (ii)engaging.
  28. The leader of the group is the passionately committed Crimond, whose (i)________ politics is (ii)________ proportional to his disciples' lapsed political faith.

    Blank (i)
    (A) engagement in
    (B) indifference to
    (C) retreat from
    Blank (ii)
    (D) critically
    (E) inversely
    (F) marginally
    The leader of the group is the passionately committed Crimond, whose (i)engagement in politics is (ii)inversely proportional to his disciples' lapsed political faith.
  29. Although the economy suffers (i)________, it also has strong (ii)________ and self-correcting tendencies.

    Blank (i)
    (A) contradictions
    (B) digressions
    (C) downturns
    Blank (ii)
    (D) recidivist
    (E) recuperative
    (F) unstable
    Although the economy suffers (i)downturns, it also has strong (ii)recuperative and self-correcting tendencies.
  30. Faced with these massive changes, the government keeps its own counsel; although generally benevolent, it has always been ________ regime.

    (A) an altruistic
    (B) an indifference
    (C) a reticent
    (D) a sanguine
    (E) an unpredictable
    Faced with these massive changes, the government keeps its own counsel; although generally benevolent, it has always been a reticent regime.
  31. It is refreshing to read a book about our planet by an author who does not allow facts to be (i)________ by politics: well aware of the political disputes about the effects of human activities on climate and biodiversity, this author does not permit them to (ii)________ his comprehensive description of what we know about our biosphere. He emphasizes the enormous gaps in our knowledge, the sparseness of our observations, and the (iii)________, calling attention to the many aspects of planetary evolution that must be better understood before we can accurately diagnose the condition of our planet.

    Blank (i)
    (A) overshadowed
    (B) invalidated
    (C) illuminated
    Blank (ii)
    (D) enhance
    (E) obscure
    (F) underscore
    Blank (iii)
    (G) plausibility of our hypotheses
    (H) certainty of our entitlement
    (I) superficiality of our theories
    The overall tone of the passage is clearly complimentary. To understand what the author of the book is being complimented on, it is useful to focus on the second blank. Here, we must determine what word would indicate something that the author is praised for not permitting. The only answer choice that fits the case is "obscure," since enhancing and underscoring are generally good things to do, not things one should refrain from doing. Choosing "obscure" clarifies the choice for the first blank; the only choice that fits well with "obscure" is "overshadowed." Notice that trying to fill the first blank before filling the second blank is hard — each choice has at least some initial plausibility. Since the third blank requires a phrase that matches "enormous gaps" and "sparseness of our observations," the best choice is "superficiality of our theories." Thus the correct answer is Choice A overshadowed, Choice E obscure and Choice I superficiality of our theories.
  32. Vain and prone to violence, Caravaggio could not handle success: the more his (i)________ as an artist increased, the more (ii)________ his life became.

    Blank (i)
    (A) temperance
    (B) notoriety
    (C) eminence
    Blank (ii)
    (D) tumultuous
    (E) providential
    (F) dispassionate
    In this sentence, what follows the colon must explain or spell out what precedes it. So, roughly, what the second part must say is that as Caravaggio became more successful, his life got more out of control. When one looks for words to fill the blanks, it becomes clear that "tumultuous" is the best fit for the second blank, since neither of the other choices suggests being out of control. And for the first blank, the best choice is "eminence," since to increase in eminence is a consequence of becoming more successful. It is true that Caravaggio might also increase in notoriety, but an increase in notoriety as an artist is not as clear a sign of success as an increase in eminence. Thus the correct answer is Choice C eminence and Choice D tumultuous.
  33. In parts of the Arctic, the land grades into the landfast ice so ________ that you can walk off the coast and not know you are over the hidden sea.

    (A) permanently
    (B) imperceptibly
    (C) irregularly
    (D) precariously
    (E) slightly
    The word that fills the blank has to characterize how the land grades into the ice in a way that explains how you can walk off the coast and over the sea without knowing it. The word that does that is "imperceptibly"; if the land grades imperceptibly into the ice, you might well not know that you had left the land. Describing the shift from land to ice as permanent, irregular or precarious would not help to explain how you would fail to know, while describing it as slight would suggest that there was hardly any grading from one to the other, the opposite of what is needed. Thus the correct answer is Choice B imperceptibly.