The high incidence of speech articulation disorders among young children suggests that such “disorders” are _______ developmental phenomena, since they generally occur less frequently among _______ age groups.
Answer(s): C
The first operative word in the sentence is since, which means “because” here. The fact that the disorders appear frequently only among young children would explain the conclusion that these “disorders” are not disorders at all, but rather normal developmental phenomena that children grow out of. Choice C. conveys this idea. The second key word is “disorders” (in quotes). The fact that the word appears in quotes provides a clue that the term might be a misnomer—an inappropriate label. Again, choice C. conveys this idea.
The _______ of the judging process might be compromised unless each contestant is assigned a unique code number by which he or she is identified.
Answer(s): D
The use of a code number to keep the contestants’ identities secret is clearly designed to maintain the impartiality (fairness and lack of favoritism or bias) of the judging process.
Great achievers are by nature (i)_______, and therefore tend to be dissatisfied and discontent with their accomplishments—no matter how great. Perhaps the (ii)_______ modern example of this phenomenon was the eminent physicist Albert Einstein, whose theoretical breakthroughs in physics only raised new theoretical (iii)_______, which Einstein himself recognized and spent the last twenty years of his life struggling unsuccessfully to solve.
Answer(s): A
Great achievers nevertheless driven to top their latest accomplishments would aptly be described as insatiably ambitious; that is, never satisfied with their achievements. The second sentence discusses a classic, or model, example of the phenomenon described in the first sentence. The word paradigmatic means “classic or model,” so it’s perfect for blank (ii). The passage’s final phrase provides the key to filling in blank (iii). What someone might struggle to solve is a problem or puzzle, which is exactly what the word dilemma means.
The qualities expected of a professional musician seem _______, for she must be studious, disciplined, and technically impeccable while bringing passion and _______ to each performance.
Discipline, studiousness, and technical precision are generally thought of as contrary to “passion.” So, the sentence suggests that a professional musician must possess contradictory or opposing qualities. The word paradoxical captures the sense of contradiction, while the spontaneity fits nicely with “passion” and contrasts appropriately with “disciplined.”
Hong Kong prospered as the centerof trade with China, _______ until itfell to the Japanese in 1941.
Answer(s): E
In this sentence, the missing word should continue in the same direction as the first. You’re looking for a word that is consistent with and that complements prospered. You can easily eliminate choices C. and (D), both of which contradict the first clause. (Languish means “weaken.”) Choice A. makes for a vague sentence: What was Hong Kong increasing? Choice B. also makes for a vague sentence: What was Hong Kong succeeding in? That leaves choice (E). Flourishing means “thriving or growing”—a good complement to the idea of prospering. So choice E. provides the best completion.
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