1.Refusing to ____________ his vituperative words, the ambassador only further ____________ members of the multinational committee.

Blank (i)

exacerbatemoderateintensify

Blank (ii)

intriguedencouragedincensed

Text Explanation

Answers: (B), (F)

Vituperative means harsh and scathing. By not moderating these angry words, the ambassador is only going to make the committed more some negative word. Only (F) incensed, or very upset/enraged works.

2. The gossip columnist’s ____________ was ____________ the number of her published columns – the more articles she wrote, the more untruths she spread.

Blank (i)

calumnyardorflattery

Blank (ii)

commensurate withinverse tounconnected to

Text Explanation

Answers: (A), (D)

The more untruths… matches up with (A) calumny, or slander. (D)

commensurate describes the relationship between two things, in which when one increases the other increases, or when one decreases the other decreases. 'In proportion to' is another way of saying commensurate with.

3.For all her brilliance, Ada was undone by her ______________: she vowed to apply herself far more diligently in studying for her retake of the bar exam.

clevernessinsouciancesagacityinsightearnestness

Text Explanation

Answer: (B)

'For', in this case, means 'despite.' Despite her brilliance, Ada did not pass the exam. She was undone by her lack of effort ("...vowed to...diligently...").