Q1. Despite the CEO's ______ assurances that the merger would not cost any jobs, the company announced layoffs within weeks, leaving employees ______ about every future promise.Correct Option B … Explanation: The word "Despite" signals a contrast between the strength of the CEO's assurances and the layoffs that followed. Strong, forceful ("emphatic") assurances that were quickly broken would naturally leave employees distrustful ("cynical") of future promises. Option A fails because "tentative" assurances would not create a sharp contrast, and "reassured" contradicts the betrayal. Option C fails because employees would not feel "delighted" after layoffs. Option D fails because "complacent" does not describe a reaction to broken promises. Option E fails because "hopeful" is the opposite of how betrayed employees would feel. Hence, option B.Q2. The scientist's ______ approach to data, which often meant discarding results that did not fit her hypothesis, eventually ______ her reputation in the research community.Correct Option E … Explanation: Discarding inconvenient results is careless and unscientific, so the first blank needs a negative word such as "cavalier" (casually disregarding proper standards). Such conduct would logically harm her standing, so "tarnished" fits the second blank. Option A fails because "meticulous" and "enhanced" are both positive. Option B fails because "cemented" implies strengthening her reputation. Option C fails because a "rigorous" approach would not involve discarding data. Option D fails because "cautious" does not describe throwing away contradictory results. Hence, option E.Q3. The lawyer's ______ questioning unsettled the witness, who began contradicting his earlier statements.Correct Option B … Explanation: The questioning "unsettled" the witness and made him contradict himself, so it must have been persistent and intense. "Relentless" (unceasingly intense) fits perfectly. Option A ("perfunctory"), Option D ("desultory" – aimless) and Option E ("cursory" – hasty and superficial) all describe half-hearted questioning that would not rattle a witness. Option C ("gentle") contradicts the effect described. Hence, option B.Q4. The ______ rise in fuel prices has put a ______ on household budgets, compelling families to cut back on discretionary spending.Correct Option A … Explanation: Families are being "compelled" to cut back spending, so the price rise must be significant ("steep") and its effect on budgets must be negative ("strain"). Option B fails because a "negligible" rise would not force spending cuts. Option C fails because a "boost" is a positive effect. Option D fails because a "cushion" protects budgets rather than squeezing them. Option E fails because a "marginal" rise contradicts the severity of the outcome. Hence, option A.Q5. The CEO's resignation, though framed as a personal choice, was widely seen as a face-saving manoeuvre rather than a genuinely ______ decision.Correct Option C … Explanation: The resignation was "framed as a personal choice," but people saw it as a face-saving move, implying the CEO was effectively pushed out. The blank must therefore echo the idea of a free personal choice, which is "voluntary." Option A ("impulsive") and Option B ("regretful") are unrelated to the contrast between choice and compulsion. Option D ("strategic") would actually describe a face-saving manoeuvre, so it does not create a contrast. Option E ("coerced") is the opposite of what the framing claimed. Hence, option C.Q6. The insular community, wary of outsiders, greeted the visiting anthropologist with ______ rather than warmth and was ______ to share even the most trivial details of its customs.Correct Option E … Explanation: The community is "wary of outsiders," and the first blank contrasts with "warmth," so it needs a word like "aloofness" (cold distance). The phrase "even the most trivial details" signals unwillingness, so "loath" (unwilling) fits the second blank. Option A and Option B fail because "hospitality" and "cordiality" are synonyms of warmth, not contrasts. Option C fails because "eager" contradicts the community's wariness. Option D gets the first blank right but "keen" reverses the meaning of the second. Hence, option E.Q7. The new regulations were intended to ______ the loopholes that allowed companies to evade taxes.Correct Option D … Explanation: Regulations are designed to stop tax evasion, so they would aim to close the loopholes. "Plug" (close or seal) is the natural collocation with "loopholes." Option A ("widen") and Option C ("create") would worsen tax evasion. Option B ("exploit") is what companies, not regulators, do with loopholes. Option E ("overlook") contradicts the purpose of new regulations. Hence, option D.Q8. The number of students opting for vocational courses ______ risen steadily, although a number of them ______ concerns about job prospects.Correct Option B … Explanation: "The number of" refers to a single quantity and takes a singular verb, so "The number ... has risen." In contrast, "a number of" means "several/many" and takes a plural verb, so "a number of them have concerns." Option A reverses both verbs. Option C wrongly uses a singular verb with "a number of." Option D wrongly uses a plural verb with "the number of." Option E uses "had," which is inconsistent with the present context, and a singular verb with "a number of." Hence, option B.Q9. The auditor's report was ______ in its criticism of the firm's accounting practices, yet the board chose to ______ its findings as a minor procedural lapse.Correct Option D … Explanation: The word "yet" signals a contrast between the report's tone and the board's response. Treating the findings "as a minor procedural lapse" means minimising them, so the second blank is "downplay," and the report must have been harsh, i.e., "scathing." Option A and Option E fail because a "mild" or "lenient" report creates no contrast with minimising it. Option B fails because "underscore" means emphasise, not minimise. Option C gets the first blank right, but "amplify" contradicts "minor procedural lapse." Hence, option D.Q10. The novelist's latest work, a ______ blend of history and fantasy, has been praised by critics for its ______ prose and intricate plotting.Correct Option A … Explanation: The work "has been praised by critics," so both blanks need positive words. A "seamless" blend (smoothly integrated) and "evocative" prose (bringing vivid images to mind) fit the tone of praise. Option B and Option C fail because "unwieldy" and "contrived" are negative descriptions of the blend. Option D fails because "incongruous" means out of place or mismatched. Option E fails because "bombastic" (pompous, inflated) is a criticism of prose, not praise. Hence, option A.Q11. The politician's ______ speech, full of lofty promises but devoid of concrete plans, failed to impress seasoned journalists.Correct Option B … Explanation: A speech "full of lofty promises but devoid of concrete plans" is pompous and high-flown in style without substance, which is exactly what "grandiloquent" means. Option A ("pragmatic") implies practical, concrete thinking, which the speech lacked. Option C ("incisive") implies sharp, penetrating analysis. Option D ("succinct") means brief and to the point, not lofty. Option E ("candid") means frank and honest, which does not match empty promises. Hence, option B.Q12. Environmentalists argue that unchecked deforestation will ______ biodiversity and ______ the livelihoods of indigenous communities that depend on forests.Correct Option E … Explanation: Environmentalists would argue that unchecked deforestation harms both biodiversity and forest-dependent livelihoods, so both blanks need negative words. "Erode" (gradually destroy) and "imperil" (put in danger) fit. Option A is entirely positive. Option B and Option D begin with positive words ("protect," "nurture") for the first blank. Option C gets the first blank right, but "fortify" (strengthen) contradicts the argument. Hence, option E.Q13. The findings of the study, which was conducted over five years across several continents, ______ that early intervention significantly improves outcomes.Correct Option A … Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "The findings," which is plural; the clause "which was conducted ... continents" modifies "the study" and does not change the subject. A plural subject takes the plural verb "suggest." Option B, Option C and Option D are singular verb forms that wrongly agree with "study." Option E ("suggesting") is a participle and leaves the sentence without a main verb. Hence, option A.Q14. Contrary to expectations, the film's ______ plot and wooden performances did little to ______ its box-office success.Correct Option C … Explanation: "Wooden performances" is a negative quality, so the first blank must also be negative, such as "predictable." "Contrary to expectations" signals that these flaws, which should have hurt the film, did not stop its success, so the second blank is "hinder." Option A and Option D use positive descriptions ("gripping," "original") that do not pair with "wooden performances." Option B fails because "did little to facilitate" removes the surprise implied by "contrary to expectations." Option E uses a positive adjective and a verb that changes the meaning. Hence, option C.Q15. The jury acquitted the defendant, citing reasonable doubt, as the evidence presented by the prosecution was largely ______.Correct Option D … Explanation: An acquittal on grounds of "reasonable doubt" implies the evidence was weak or indirect. "Circumstantial" evidence relies on inference rather than direct proof, which explains the doubt. Option A ("irrefutable"), Option B ("overwhelming"), Option C ("conclusive") and Option E ("corroborated") all describe strong evidence that would lead to a conviction, not an acquittal. Hence, option D.Q16. Each of the proposals submitted by the contractors ______ evaluated, and one of them, which ______ the lowest bid, was selected.Correct Option E … Explanation: The subject "Each" is singular, so it takes "was," not "were" or "have been." The second blank refers to a past action consistent with "was evaluated" and "was selected," so the past tense "quoted" is required. Option A and Option D use the plural "were." Option B uses the present "quote," which breaks the past-tense sequence and does not agree with the singular "which" (referring to "one"). Option C uses the plural "have been." Hence, option E.Q17. Far from being the ______ leader he was believed to be, the chairman was in fact a ______ figure who deferred to the board on every major decision.Correct Option C … Explanation: "Far from being" sets up a contrast between the perceived image and reality. Since he "deferred to the board on every major decision," he was in reality powerless, i.e., a "figurehead" (a leader in name only). He must therefore have been believed to be a forceful, controlling, "domineering" leader. Option A and Option D reverse the contrast, describing him as actually strong. Option B and Option E describe him as powerful in both blanks, removing the contrast. Hence, option C.Q18. The CEO's ______ decision to ignore market signals cost the company its leadership position.Correct Option E … Explanation: Ignoring market signals and losing leadership indicates a lack of foresight. "Myopic" (short-sighted) captures this precisely. Option A ("astute"), Option B ("prudent"), Option C ("sagacious") and Option D ("pragmatic") are all positive words describing wise or sensible decisions, which contradicts the damaging outcome. Hence, option E.Q19. The speaker's remarks were so ______ that even the most ardent supporters of the proposal found themselves ______ to defend it.Correct Option B … Explanation: The phrase "even the most ardent supporters" signals that the remarks caused an unexpected reaction, namely that supporters could not defend the proposal. Remarks that are "inflammatory" (provocative, offensive) would make the proposal indefensible, leaving supporters "unable" to defend it. Option A creates no surprise, as persuasive remarks would naturally make supporters eager. Option C and Option E fail because "lucid" and "cogent" remarks would strengthen, not undermine, support. Option D fails because "innocuous" (harmless) remarks would not drive supporters away. Hence, option B.Q20. The island's ______ economy, dependent solely on tourism, collapsed when the pandemic halted international travel.Correct Option A … Explanation: An economy that depends "solely on tourism" and "collapsed" when travel stopped is vulnerable and easily broken, i.e., "fragile." Option B ("robust") contradicts the collapse. Option C ("diversified") contradicts "dependent solely on tourism." Option D ("self-sufficient") contradicts its reliance on international visitors. Option E ("thriving") may describe its pre-pandemic state but does not explain why it collapsed. Hence, option A.
