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Verbal Section (GRE)
Directions: Select the two answer choices that, when used to complete the sentence, fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole and produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning.
Prominent scientists and intellectuals cast Professor Dawkins as the __________ of a selfish culture, accusing him and his fellow socio-biologists of setting the cultural stage for the “I got mine” age of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.
(1) Correct; because Dawkins and his fellow socio-biologists are 'setting the stage' for a selfish culture, they would have to be initiators of the process. Herald angel describes their role aptly.
(2) Incorrect; a forecaster would be someone who predicts something. Here Dawkins is setting the stage for 'I got mine' age. He is making it happen, not predicting it will happen.
(3) Incorrect; a prophet would be one man advocating a belief. Here, Dawkins, and his fellow socio-biologists, are hawking the 'I got me' age.
(4) Correct; because Dawkins and his colleagues are ushering in a new culture of selfishness, he and his colleagues can be called the harbingers of the culture.
(5) Incorrect; a soothsayer would be someone who foresees/ predicts a certain event. Here, Dawkins is accused of advocating the culture.
(6) Incorrect; Dawkins cannot be the spoiler of a selfish culture if he is helping set the stage for 'I got mine' culture.