- A and F There are more clues for the first blank, so start there. The word
in the first blank indicates the approach that the scientist did not take. The
contextual clue “instead of ” indicates that the scientist did not simply observe
and characterize what he saw. If he did not simply observe and characterize,
then what did he lack? A good prediction would be objectivity. Of the choices,
the word closest in meaning to objectivity is disinterest. Now look at the
second blank. The word in the second blank tells us what the scientist did
“instead of simply observing and characterizing the phenomena.” A good
prediction is manipulated. Of the choices, the word closest in meaning to
manipulated is distorted. - A and E Start with the first blank. If the distinction is between the blank and
“obsession,” Emerson must view moderate amounts of the blank favorably.
The second sentence says that Emerson believed “the scholarly life afforded
its adherents a fresh perspective,” so he must have a favorable view of
scholarliness. Of the choices, the word that most closely matches scholarliness
is erudition. Now look at the second blank. If Emerson “emphasized the
distinction between erudition and obsession,” then he warned against
becoming obsessed with the pursuit. Of the choices, the word closest in
meaning to obsessed with is consumed with. - C and F There are more clues for the second blank, so start there. The word
in the second blank describes Barry’s approach. You are told in the second
sentence that Barry’s shooting strategy is “unconventional.” Thus a good
prediction for the second blank is unconventional. Of the choices, the word
closest in meaning to unconventional is unorthodox. Now look at the first
blank: if Barry continued using the strategy, then how did he feel about
“his contemporaries’ dismissal”? A good prediction would be unconcerned
with. Of the choices, the word closest in meaning to unconcerned with is
nonplussed by. - C The phrase “far more difficult” indicates that the word in the blank will
be the opposite of where “beauty” normally comes from. If it is usually found
in “novelty,” then the word in the blank should be the opposite of “novelty.”
A good prediction would be mundane. Of the choices, the word closest in
meaning to mundane is prosaic. - A, D, and H The easiest blank to start with is the first. If “no one made
explicit mention of ” the leadership hierarchy, then the agreement must have
been unspoken. Of the choices, the word closest in meaning to unspoken is
tacit. The next easiest blank is the third blank. If Johnson “was best-suited
to head the numbers-based project,” then he must have been adept at math.
A good prediction would be aptitude. Of the choices, the word closest in
meaning to aptitude is acumen. Finally, go to the second blank. If the
agreement was tacit, then the employees recognized it without stating it. Of the
choices, the word closest in meaning to recognized is acknowledged.
2 7. A and F Start with the second blank. The contextual clue “in favor of ”
indicates that Poincaré preferred “the precision of mathematical concepts” to “
human engagement.” A good prediction for the second blank is: bypassed. Of
the choices, the word closest in meaning to bypassed is forsook. Now look at
the first blank. If he forsook human engagement, then what kind of existence
104 PART 2 ■ GRE ANALYTICAL WRITING AND VERBAL REASONING01-GRE-Test-2018_001-106.indd 104 12/05/17 11:38 am