- C and D There are more clues for the second word, so start there. The
contextual clue “but” indicates that the effect of the first blank on his finances
is opposite of the effect on “his personal development.” If it is “beneficial” to
his finances, then it is harmful to “his personal development.” Of the choices,
the word closest in meaning to harmful is deleterious. Now, look at the first
blank: If he never gave himself time to pursue hobbies, then how did he feel
about leisure? A good prediction is opposition to. Of the choices, the word
closest in meaning to opposition to is aversion to. - B and D There are more clues for the word in the first blank, so start there.
Critics’ beliefs about his work are based on the social context of his novels. Of
the choices, the word closest in meaning to context is milieu. Now, look at the
second blank. The word “however” indicates that Kundera believes his works
touch on all aspects of human living. A good prediction is represent. Of the
choices, the word closest in meaning to represent is reflect. - B and F There are more clues for the first blank, so start there. The word
in the blank describes an element of Beethoven’s compositions. In the next
sentence, the phrase “emotional undercurrents” provides a clue for this
element. If there were “emotional undercurrents” in his compositions, then the
compositions must have been emotional. Of the choices, the word closest in
meaning to emotional is passion. Now look at the second blank. The word in
the blank describes Beethoven’s music. Since Beethoven was “unlike” previous
composers, his approach must have been unusual. Among the choices, the
word that best matches unusual is unconventionality. - C and E There are more clues for the first blank, so start there. The contextual
clue “but” indicates that Garcia Marquez’s approach differs from that of his
contemporaries. If the contemporaries approach is characterized as “heavy-
handed,” then Marquez’s approach must be the opposite of “heavy-handed.”
A good prediction is natural. Of the choices, the word closest in meaning
to natural is organic. Now look at the second blank. If Garcia Marquez can
organically use supernatural elements, then he does not strain our belief. Of
the choices, the word closest in meaning to belief is credulity. - B and D There are more clues for the word in the first blank, so start
there. The word in the blank describes the competitor’s characterization
of the politician. In the second sentence, we are told that this was a
“misrepresentation.” Thus the characterization must have been false. Of the
choices, the word closest in meaning to false is libelous. Now look at the
second blank. The word in the blank describes the competitor’s tactics. Since
the competitor made libelous characterizations, his tactics were dishonest. Of
the choices, the word closest in meaning to dishonest is unscrupulous.
Text Completion Set 3
- C and D Start with the first blank. If the salesman is “coaxing” people, then
he is using a dishonest tactic. The word in the blank should be anything that
implies dishonesty. Of the choices, the best word is blandishments. Now solve
for the second blank. People are detecting the salesman’s tactic, and his tactic
is characterized by dishonesty. A good word for the blank would be dishonesty.
Of the choices, the word closest in meaning to dishonesty is disingenuousness.
CHAPTER 4 ■ TEXT COMPLETION 10301-GRE-Test-2018_001-106.indd 103 12/05/17 11:38 am