41
I found that the writer’s ideas were sufficiently ------- to make me bear with his ------- language.
(A) intriguing . . skill with
(B) interesting . . abuses of
(C) humble . . mastery of
(D) shallow . . errors in
(E) misguided . . style of
答案：B
解析：The key words are “sufficiently,” which indicates a positive response to the writer’s ideas, and “bear with,” which conveys negative feelings toward the writer’s language. Only “interesting...abuses of” provides a corresponding positive-negative relationship.
42
The success of the Norman Invasion depended on ------- logistical operation: in planning it, William the Conqueror wisely left no detail -------.
(A) a puzzling . . untarnished
(B) a realistic . . unsupervised
(C) an intricate. . overlooked
(D) an erroneous . . ignored
(E) a flawed . . unattended
答案：C
解析：Choice (C) is correct. If these terms were inserted into the sentence, the sentence would read “The success of the Norman Invasion depended on an intricate logistical operation: in planning it, William the Conqueror wisely left no detail overlooked.” The sentence indicates that the Norman Invasion was an overall “success” and that William the Conqueror behaved “wisely,” so we can infer that the “logistical operation” was well-planned. It is likely, then, that William the Conqueror did not overlook, or neglect, any of the numerous logistical details involved in an “intricate,” or complex, operation.
43
Her vague sense of ------- grew into anxiety and then alarm when she discovered that her initial doubts about the success of the undertaking were well founded.
(A) foreboding
(B) remorse
(C) anticipation
(D) intrigue
(E) complacency
答案：A
解析：The sentence asks you to find the mildest word in a logical progress leading to anxiety and finally culminating in alarm. Of the choices given, only “foreboding” is a word that describes a feeling related to, but less than, anxiety.
44
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：E
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.
45
The voice of gospel singer Marion Williams has been captivating listeners since 1947; it is lyrical in its expression of joy, yet ------- when singing of life’s sorrows.
(A) exhilarating
(B) melodious
(C) stifling
(D) sublime
(E) poignant
答案：E
解析：The word “yet” sets up a contrast between the singer’s ability to sound “lyrical,” or enthusiastic, when singing about joy and “poignant,” or touching, when singing of sadness.
46
Their conversation was unsettling, for the gravity of their topic contrasted so oddly with the ------- of their tone.
(A) uniqueness
(B) rapidity
(C) lightness
(D) precision
(E) reverence
答案：C
解析：Only “lightness” fits the logic of the sentence as being contrary to the “gravity” of the topic. Listening to others discuss a grave (or serious) topic in a light-hearted tone would be unsettling and confusing.
47
Scientists have discovered that our sense of smell is surprisingly ------- , capable of distinguishing thousands of chemical odors.
(A) rigid
(B) inert
(C) erratic
(D) keen
(E) innate
答案：D
解析：One of the meanings of “keen” is “acutely sensitive.” Therefore, if our sense of smell is keen or acutely sensitive, it is capable of “distinguishing thousands of chemical odors.”
48
A ------- person, he found the training almost unbearably monotonous, but he resolved to check his ------- and perform the basic tasks required.
(A) bitter . . submissiveness
(B) reclusive . . reserve
(C) dynamic . . restlessness
(D) mercurial . . constancy
(E) vivacious . . ambition
答案：C
解析：It is logically consistent to say that someone who is “dynamic,” or energetic, would feel restless, or agitated, when faced with a boring task.
49
The play, which features ------- mix of comedy, pathos, and music, was correctly described by one honest critic as a -------.
(A) a seamless . . debacle
(B) an ungainly . . hodgepodge
(C) an unfortunate . . masterpiece
(D) an inappropriate . . success
(E) a harmonious . . failure
答案：B
解析：Choice (B) is correct. If the play is an “ungainly,” or clumsy, mixture of different elements, an honest critic would justifiably describe it as a “hodgepodge,” or a disorganized jumble.
50
Barbara McClintock’s systematic examination of corn demonstrated the transposition of genes, a finding that overturned entrenched beliefs and proved that ------- study may produce brilliant insights and ------- change.
(A) haphazard . . radical
(B) inherent . . controversial
(C) improvised . . startling
(D) methodical . . revolutionary
(E) derivative . . gradual
答案：C
解析：Only “methodical study” and “revolutionary change” match the ideas of “systematic examination” and “overturned entrenched beliefs.”