Sentence Equivalence Advanced Questions Flashcards

Despite his reputation for candor, the senator's reply was so ______ that reporters left the briefing no clearer than before. Which pair best completes the sentence?

Answer: evasive ... equivocal

Both 'evasive' and 'equivocal' convey deliberate vagueness, matching the reporters' confusion.

The critic praised the novel's ______ structure, noting that its seemingly random episodes ultimately formed a deliberate pattern. Which pair fits?

Answer: intricate ... elaborate

'Intricate' and 'elaborate' both describe a complex yet purposeful design revealed at the end.

Far from being ______, the new policy actually entrenched the very inequalities it claimed to address. Which two words complete it?

Answer: remedial ... corrective

'Remedial' and 'corrective' both mean intended to fix, contrasting ironically with entrenching inequality.

Her ______ for detail made her an exacting editor whom careless writers came to dread. Which pair works?

Answer: fastidiousness ... punctiliousness

'Fastidiousness' and 'punctiliousness' both denote meticulous attention, explaining why she was exacting.

The diplomat's ______ manner disarmed even his fiercest opponents, who found it impossible to remain hostile. Which two words complete it?

Answer: affable ... genial

'Affable' and 'genial' both mean friendly and warm, explaining why hostility faded.

Although celebrated in his lifetime, the composer fell into such ______ that few today recognize his name. Which pair fits?

Answer: obscurity ... oblivion

'Obscurity' and 'oblivion' both mean being forgotten, matching the modern lack of recognition.

The scientist warned that drawing conclusions from a single trial was ______, urging colleagues to await replication. Which two words complete it?

Answer: premature ... precipitate

'Premature' and 'precipitate' both mean hasty, justifying the call to wait for replication.