- The negotiations reached an _______; neither side was willing to compromise on the key issues.
Answer: impasse
The second half of the sentence explains that 'neither side was willing to compromise'. This situation, where no progress can be made, is called an 'impasse'. 'Agreement' and 'understanding' are the opposite of this situation. 'Acceleration' means to speed up, which is also the opposite of what is described.
- While some critics _______ the film for its originality, others condemned it for being too strange and unconventional.
Answer: applauded
The word 'While' sets up a contrast between two different reactions to the film. One group 'condemned' it. The other group, who liked its 'originality', would have 'applauded' or praised it. 'Ignored', 'questioned', and 'misunderstood' do not provide the strong positive contrast to 'condemned'.
- A basic _______ for the pilot training program is excellent vision, so applicants with glasses may not qualify.
Answer: prerequisite
The fact that some applicants 'may not qualify' indicates that excellent vision is a mandatory requirement that must be met beforehand. This is the definition of a 'prerequisite'. A 'preference' or 'suggestion' is not mandatory. A 'consequence' is a result, not a requirement.
- The professor's explanation was so _______ that it clarified even the most difficult concepts for the students.
Answer: lucid
The sentence states that the explanation 'clarified' difficult concepts. An explanation that makes things clear is 'lucid'. 'Vague' and 'abstract' are the opposite, as they would likely make things more confusing. 'Prolonged' means long, which doesn't necessarily mean clear.
- The scientist's theory was initially met with skepticism, but it was later _______ by new evidence from several independent studies.
Answer: validated
The word 'but' indicates a turn from the initial 'skepticism'. New evidence that supports a theory would 'validate' it (confirm it is true). 'Disproven' and 'ridiculed' would continue the skepticism, not contrast with it. 'Simplified' means made less complex, which is not what supporting evidence does.
- Regular exercise is _______ for maintaining good health, but diet and getting enough sleep are also crucial.
Answer: beneficial
The sentence structure with 'but' indicates that while exercise is important for health, other factors are also needed. 'Beneficial' (helpful or good) correctly describes exercise's positive role without claiming it's complete. 'Sufficient' would mean exercise alone is enough, contradicting the 'but' clause about other crucial factors. 'Irrelevant' and 'optional' incorrectly minimize exercise's importance.
- The company decided to _______ its new product line with an expensive advertising campaign, hoping to attract a wider audience.
Answer: promote
The sentence describes an 'expensive advertising campaign' with the goal of 'attracting a wider audience'. This action is best described as an effort to 'promote' the product. 'Conceal' (hide) and 'discontinue' (stop) are the opposite of the intended meaning. 'Criticize' is illogical in this business context.
- Her argument was built on a logical _______; she mistakenly assumed that because two events occurred together, one must have caused the other.
Answer: fallacy
The sentence describes a mistaken assumption, which is a flaw in reasoning. A 'fallacy' is a mistaken belief or a failure in reasoning. A 'principle' or 'foundation' suggests a solid, correct basis. An 'observation' is simply noticing something, not necessarily drawing a flawed conclusion from it.
- Because the witness's testimony was inconsistent and full of contradictions, the jury found it to be completely _______.
Answer: unreliable
The word 'Because' indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. A testimony that is 'inconsistent and full of contradictions' would logically be considered 'unreliable'. 'Persuasive' is the opposite of what would be concluded. 'Memorable' and 'detailed' could be true, but they do not logically follow from the fact that the testimony was contradictory.
- Given his _______ and quiet nature, everyone was astonished when he delivered a powerful and passionate speech.
Answer: reserved
The fact that 'everyone was astonished' by a 'powerful and passionate speech' suggests his usual nature is the opposite. 'Reserved' (shy and quiet) provides the necessary contrast. 'Confident' and 'outgoing' would make the passionate speech expected, not astonishing. 'Hostile' does not fit the description 'quiet nature'.
- For the team project to be successful, it is essential that all members work in _______ rather than in isolation.
Answer: unison
The sentence contrasts the desired way of working with working 'in isolation'. Working together in agreement or at the same time is working in 'unison'. 'Haste' (speed) and 'secret' are not logical opposites of isolation in this context. 'Competition' is also a form of working against each other, not together.
- Although the novel was praised by critics for its innovative style, many readers found the complex plot to be _______.
Answer: confusing
The word 'Although' signals a contrast. The novel was praised for its style, but the 'complex plot' would likely be perceived negatively by some readers. 'Confusing' provides this contrast. 'Accessible' and 'straightforward' are antonyms of complex. 'Engaging' is a positive term that does not fit the contrast indicated by 'although'.
- The biography offered only a _______ glimpse into the artist's private life, focusing almost entirely on his public achievements.
Answer: partial
The phrase 'focusing almost entirely on his public achievements' implies that the part about his private life was incomplete. Therefore, it was a 'partial' glimpse. 'Complete' is directly contradicted by the sentence. 'Fictional' means not true, which isn't suggested. 'Critical' means judgmental, which is a different concept.
- The ancient custom, once widespread, has now become so _______ that only a few small, isolated communities still practice it.
Answer: rare
The sentence contrasts the past ('once widespread') with the present ('only a few small, isolated communities'). This contrast means the custom is no longer common, making it 'rare'. 'Popular' is the opposite. 'Illegal' and 'complicated' are not supported by the context provided in the sentence.
- Learning a new skill requires _______ effort; you cannot expect to master it after only one or two attempts.
Answer: sustained
The idea that you cannot 'master it after only one or two attempts' implies that effort must be continuous over time. 'Sustained' means maintained for a long period. 'Minimal' and 'unnecessary' are incorrect. 'Sporadic' means occurring at irregular intervals, which is the opposite of the consistent effort required for mastery.
- The new manager's leadership style was very _______; she encouraged all team members to contribute their ideas and participate in decisions.
Answer: collaborative
The description of a manager who 'encouraged all team members to contribute' points to a 'collaborative' style of working together. 'Authoritarian' is the opposite, where one person makes all decisions. 'Indifferent' means not caring, and 'inefficient' describes results, not the style itself.
- The city's infrastructure is _______ and can no longer support its growing population; major investments in roads and public transit are needed.
Answer: inadequate
The need for 'major investments' and the fact that the infrastructure 'can no longer support its growing population' both indicate that it is 'inadequate' (not good enough). 'Modern', 'adequate', and 'efficient' all have positive meanings that contradict the rest of the sentence.
- Despite the storm's initial intensity, its winds began to _______ as it moved further inland away from the warm ocean waters.
Answer: abate
The word 'Despite' suggests a contrast with the 'initial intensity'. Moving away from its power source (warm ocean waters) would cause the storm's winds to lessen or 'abate'. 'Escalate' means to increase, which is the opposite. 'Fluctuate' means to go up and down. 'Persist' means to continue without change.
- The treaty was designed to _______ friendly relations between the two countries after years of conflict.
Answer: foster
A treaty made 'after years of conflict' would aim to improve the relationship between the countries. 'Foster' means to encourage the development of something, in this case, friendly relations. 'Disrupt' and 'complicate' are the opposite of the intended purpose. 'Document' is too neutral; a treaty does more than just write down the relationship.
- To _______ the high cost of living in the city, many residents choose to live with roommates or in smaller apartments.
Answer: offset
The actions described (living with roommates, choosing smaller apartments) are measures taken to counteract or balance a negative financial situation. 'Offset' means to compensate for something. 'Increase' is the opposite. 'Celebrate' and 'ignore' are illogical responses to high living costs.
