61
Designed to resist storms by virtue of their ------- weight, the oil platforms towed into the North Sea were the heaviest objects ever moved by human technology.
(A) inconsistent
(B) purported
(C) unstable
(D) random
(E) immense
答案：E
解析：The sentence focuses on one aspect of the platforms—extreme heaviness. Therefore, “immense” makes a logically consistent sentence.
62
Bolstered by his unflagging determination and ------- physical preparation, Tom Whittaker became the first amputee to successfully climb to the summit of Mount Everest.
(A) fortuitous
(B) assiduous
(C) heedless
(D) expeditious
(E) pedantic
答案：B
解析：Choice (B) is correct. In climbing Mount Everest, Tom Whittaker was “bolstered,” or supported, by the type of physical preparation required to reach the summit of Mount Everest. “Assiduous,” or careful and persistent, preparation coupled with “unflagging determination” would help someone complete such a challenging task.
63
Paradoxically, this successful entrepreneur is sometimes ------- and at other times reclusive.
(A) autonomous
(B) dispassionate
(C) solitary
(D) unthinking
(E) gregarious
答案：E
解析：The paradox in the sentence is that the successful entrepreneur can be “reclusive” at times and “gregarious” at others. The entrepreneur alternately prefers isolation and its opposite, the company of people.
64
Those scholars who believe that the true author of the poem died in 1812 consider the authenticity of this particular manuscript ------- because it includes references to events that occurred in 1818.
(A) ageless
(B) tenable
(C) suspect
(D) unique
(E) legitimate
答案：C
解析：Choice (C) is correct. Since an author would be unable to refer to events that occurred after he or she had died, scholars would have cause for considering the authenticity of an 1818 manuscript “suspect,” or worthy of suspicion.
65
Although the acreage involved in a national boundary dispute may seem insignificant, even the slightest ------- in a country’s alleged border appears ------- to that nation, a threat to its security.
(A) inconsistency . . felicitous
(B) variation . . trivial
(C) rigidity . . traumatic
(D) change . . favorable
(E) breach . . ominous
答案：E
解析：While “ominous” comes closest to conveying threat, “traumatic” makes some sense; only “breach,” however, fits logically in the first blank.
66
The show’s host was usually genial, but he had a reputation for turning ------- when provoked by guests who challenged his opinions.
(A) surly
(B) intrusive
(C) lenient
(D) convincing
(E) giddy
答案：A
解析：It makes sense to say that someone who is typically “genial,” or friendly, would turn “surly,” or irritable, when provoked.
67
Drew's loss in the demanding cross-country race had ------- effect, weakening both his strength and his vitality.
(A) a morbid
(B) a palliative
(C) an enervating
(D) an onerous
(E) a recuperative
答案：C
解析：Choice (C) is correct. Something that is "enervating" causes a lessening of vitality and strength.
68
The store manager was ------- when sales dropped for the third year in a row; that was why she ------- our department for its lack of effort.
(A) indolent . . intimidated
(B) indignant . . upbraided
(C) insolent . . exonerated
(D) indulgent . . castigated
(E) intolerant . . condoned
答案：B
解析：The first missing term must characterize the manager’s response to a drop in sales that she sees as a result of her department’s “lack of effort.” It is logical to conclude that the store manager “upbraided,” or scolded, her employees out of indignance, or righteous anger.
69
The research is so ------- that it leaves no part of the issue unexamined.
(A) comprehensive
(B) rewarding
(C) sporadic
(D) economical
(E) problematical
答案：A
解析：Try filling in the blank without reading the answer choices. What kinds of words would fit? Words like complete, thorough, or extensive could all fit. Now look at the answer choices. “Comprehensive” is very similar to the words suggested, and none of the other choices fits at all.
70
A veteran of both stage and screen, Richard Harris brought a certain level of ------- to his roles, lending ------- to each character that he played.
(A) candor . . uncertainty
(B) insouciance . . experience
(C) whimsy . . depth
(D) gravitas . . dignity
(E) animosity . . warmth
答案：D
解析：A “veteran,” or seasoned, actor should be able to carry himself with “ gravitas,” or seriousness. A serious performer, in turn, is capable of playing a variety of roles with “ dignity,” or a seriousness of manner.