Sentence Completion Test 3

The second part of the sentence is an elaboration of the first part. “New want” in second part implies that opposite of this would characterize the first blank; only then the joy (from first blank) would ripen into a new desire. “Fulfillments” fits our prediction. Hence, (4) is the answer.

“Democratic reforms” in latter part of the sentence provides clue for the blank. Democratic reforms implies the principle of equality of rights, opportunity and treatment. This implies that during the Reconstruction Era, the government was working on equal rights for blacks as well as for whites i.e. conformity between these two races. 'Assimilation' (the cultural absorption of a minority group into the main cultural body) in (4) would be the cause for implementation of such reforms, thereby confirming (4) as the answer.

Than in the sentence sets up the contrast between what precedes it and what follows it. The author expresses his discontentment for the regular course of his studies in school i.e. the academic and professional education of school and college have not yielded much knowledge to him but some unimportant books have fulfilled his desire for knowledge. Hence, “idle” in (2) fits our prediction and is the answer.

'Solicitious' (showing care, attention, or concern) in (3) and 'allegiant' (keeping faith) in (5) can be ruled out because they're positive words. As the clue is 'refused to dispute', therefore 'irresolute' (wavering in decision, purpose, or opinion; indecisive) in (2) would not fit our prediction, hence is ruled out. For the same reason, 'overzealous' in (4) is also ruled out. Hence, 'contentious' (always ready to argue, quarrelsome) in (1) fits our prediction, hence is the answer.

First blank should be in tandem with rivals, which implies that it should intensify the thought of all these options, ‘bitter’ in (5) seems the probable choice. “Even though” in latter part of sentence sets up the contrast between what follows it and what precedes it. As the phrase following even though tends to give a negative view, therefore, the phrase that precedes it must shadow positive view. Thus, “owes” in (5) fits our prediction and hence, is the answer.

‘Soft’ is the operative word in this sentence. Of all these options, (1) and (3) fit our prediction. The tone of the sentence for the second blank is slightly negative, therefore, ‘confuse’ would be cogent with ‘euphemisms’ (a word or phrase so substituted) and gives sense to the sentence. ‘Apprehend’ means to perceive. Hence, (3) is the answer.

The phrase - “somewhat incalculable………. next moment” implies that some unforeseen activity can happen at any moment, The most exact calculator in the world can also not calculate or predict what will happen next.
Therefore, “prescience” (foreknowledge, prediction) gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Of all these versions, all the options for first blank seem to fit the bill. Let’s look for the second blank, which is in contrast to the first part of the sentence. Of all these options, only (3) fits the bill. “Ignored” provides just that contrast. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Since she considers the world to be evil, she is also likely to regard the men living in the world to be equally wicked or malevolent. So, options (1) and (2) can be ruled out as both ‘benign’ and ‘munificent’ means kind and generous. As ‘staunch’ in (5) means strong, this can also be ruled out. Both ‘depraved’ and ‘vicious’ fit in the first blank, but it is the ‘conjurer’ who performs tricks like extracting a rabbit from the hat. Hence, (4) is the answer.

‘Freemason’ is a member of an international freethinking male society having as the principles brotherliness, charity and mutual aid. As ‘speculative’ and ‘inquisitive’ both fit our prediction for first blank, thus, we are left with 2 options – (2) and (3). The operative word for second blank is “rise”. As ‘veteran’ means experienced; practiced, so ‘apprentices’ (any learner or beginner) replaces the second blank. Hence, (2) is the answer.

To fit the idea of inventions originating as toys, we want the second blank to suggest “results” that are not serious or important - the opposite of what we’ll think about toys. Hence, “weighty” (of great significance or moment; serious) fits our prediction for second blank. Moreover, “speculation” (consideration, thinking) gives a coherent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (5) is the answer. 

The second part of the sentence - “being proper… the fancy” provides the clue for the blank. Therefore, the blank characterizes the universal reality or truth of these fables. Thus “verities” (a principle, belief etc. taken to be fundamentally and permanently true) fits our prediction. Hence, (3) is the answer.

NASA's most important scientific instrument, the Hubble space telescope would begin to fail a few years from now, hence this sentence emphasizes on its need to preserve this instrument. The clue comes from the word 'even', the clause that follows it provides an explanation to the blank. This implies that though tough tasks have to be undertaken, Hubble Telescope has to be preserved. 'Kippered' is to cure (herring, salmon, etc.) by cleaning, salting, and drying or smoking, thus (5) is ruled out.
Hence, (4) is the answer.

The operative word in the sentence is 'usually', which sets up the contrast between the first and second part of the sentence. Therefore, anomalous is the best answer as it is in tandem with inconsistent with other findings. Hence, (5) is the answer.

When the wife of an American insurance salesman dies in a roadside accident, his family is torn apart.
As the word 'apart' is not included in the options, lets look for a synonym. 'Asunder' means apart, hence it fits our prediction and forms the answer.

Since India and Iran are being visualized as ‘natural partners’, it implies that their economic interests would harmonize or correspond with each other. So, options (1), (4) and (5) can be ruled out.
‘Divarication’ means divergence, ‘diversification’ implies spreading out in different directions and ‘ramification’ means to divide or spread out into branches. Though ‘fusion’ as well as ‘complementary’ fits the first blank, ‘emasculate’ means to weaken and hence does not fit in the second blank. Since India and Iran are being looked upon as natural partners, the time would be ripe to strengthen or bolster this relationship, and not weaken it. So, option (2) can be ruled out. Hence, (3) is the answer.

The second part of the sentence (beginning with that it) provides an explanation to the proposition in the first part of the sentence. Proposition can be confusion (‘obfuscation’ in option 2) or a simple thought (‘contemplation’ in option 4) from which man parts. “Every man parts from that contemplation (thought) is more cogent with the latter part of the sentence than every man parts from that “obfuscation” (confusion). Hence, (4) is the answer.

The first part of the sentence highlights the positive part whereas the latter part is broadly comic or derisive, as is indicated by the word ‘satire’ in latter part of the sentence. ‘Extravaganza’ and ‘burlesque’ in option (4) substantiates the blank, hence the answer.

The Prime Ministers could not reach any argument because of their stubborn nature. 'Obdurate' in (2).
means not giving in readily; stubborn; obstinate; it fits our prediction and forms the answer. Hence, (2) is the answer.
Erudite - learned, scholarly
Obsequious - docile, submissive
Nefarious - very wicked, evil. 

“or” before the first blank does not set up the contrast with ‘courage’. In fact, it highlights that the cause of the good action of man is either due to courage or some good deeds. Of all the options for the first blank, “charity” in (3) is the only positive word and hence, it replaces the first blank. Moreover, “expiation” (compensation) gives cogent meaning to the second part of the sentence. Hence, (3) is the answer.

The operative word in this sentence is “before 1975”, which implies handicapped children were not entertained by public schools before the govt emphasized on their education. “Turned away” in (1) fits our prediction, hence the answer.
'Turned out' is coherent with something that is manufactured or written.

The clue for the two words is ‘led’. The relationship between the two words must be cause and effect. Here, the key is to find a belief in the first instance with its relevant behaviour for the second.
Therefore, ‘singular’ in (3) highlights the cause as it means peculiar; strange; and consequently, ‘iconoclastic’ (one who attacks and seeks to destroy widely accepted ideas, beliefs, etc) cites the effect.  Hence, (3) is the answer.

‘Erechtheum’ is a temple on the Acropolis in Athens, built 5^th cent. B.C; thereby distinguishing the ‘olive–trees’ in beginning of the sentence and ‘sacred olives’ after the blank. This implies that the olive–trees that were reared at some other place were taken from the sacred olive trees in Erechtheum temple in Athens. Thus, ‘taken from’ in (5) gives sense to the first blank.