The fossil record reveals innumerable instances of environmental _______ by which one can draw an analogy between the evolution of life and a tree’s branches, a few of which _______ but most of which branch again and again.
Answer(s): B
The signpost phrase in this sentence is “by which.” What precedes this key phrase must adequately explain the analogy that follows it. Choice B. fits the bill. In the context of evolution, many organisms have continually adapted to environmental changes, resulting in a large variety of species (in a continual branching manner); in other words, for most organisms, evolution is not linear
Societal progress usually comes about through (i)_______ and challenge— that is, when people point out the mistakes of those who wield power; (ii)_______, without our challenging the mistaken notions of established institutions, political (iii)_______ and tyranny would go unchecked.
Answer(s): A
In the first sentence, the phrase that is signals that what precedes it should be similar in meaning to what follows it. Pointing out the mistakes of those in power could be characterized either as a challenge or as part of dissention, which means “rebellion or disobedience.” The second part of the sentence (following the semicolon) reiterates and expresses more pointedly the idea in the first part. The connecting phrase in fact works well to signal this reiteration. As for blank (iii), oppression (which means “persecution or tyranny”) is the only choice that makes sense in context.
When it was constructed, the gymnasium was highly _______; the students for whom it was planned were _______, but community members who faced losing their neighborhood park were outraged.
The word “but” shows that the reaction of the students and faculty was different from that of the community members. The word gratified describes a reaction that is contrary to “outraged,” and controversial describes the fact that the two groups had such opposite opinions.
Shakespeare’s _______ of Richard III is so _______ that it is difficult to imagine that the ruler had been dead for more than a century before the Bard cast him as the central character in one of his plays.
Answer(s): C
The first part of the sentence (containing both missing words) must explain why it difficult to imagine that Richard III had been dead for so long when Shakespeare wrote the play. A vivid (lifelike or realistic) depiction (characterization or description) of the ruler would provide just such an explanation.
Although many of the company’s board members were _______ about the impending deal, others were _______ the benefits it would bring to the company.
Answer(s): E
The best choice for the two blanks must convey a clear contrast between the reactions of the two groups of board members. The words optimistic and dubious (doubtful or skeptical) provide just the sort of contrast that makes sense. Although choice C. also provides a contrast, choice C. is wrong because it makes no sense to imagine the board members being “disturbed by the benefits” the deal would produce.
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