The detour road sign “but” is the key to the first sentence. It indicates that the next idea will contrast with the fact that Franklin is known for his scientific achievements. Since the next idea is Franklin’s belief about public service and science, predict that Franklin believed his work in public service to be more important than his work in science. This leads to (C) outweigh as the correct answer for the first blank. (A) impede means “slow the progress of,” which is extreme. Franklin may have valued public service more than science, but there is no context to support the idea that he believed that public service should actually slow the progress of science. (B) replicated, which means “duplicated” or “repeated,” expresses a relationship between public service and science that is not indicated by the sentence.
The second sentence begins with the straight-ahead road sign “Accordingly,” and therefore follows the train of logic from the first sentence. Franklin believed that public service was even more important than work in science, yet he achieved greatness in science. Thus, you can predict that his political contributions were also “significant.” (D) substantial, or “having great meaning or lasting effect,” is a perfect match for this prediction and is the correct answer for the second blank. (E) paltry means “inferior,” “trivial,” or even “despicable,” and is the opposite of what is required here. (F) abhorrent, or “causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred,” does not fit in with the logic of the sentence.
The first part of the sentence describes measures—namely, sanctions—that have been taken to stop a nation’s actions in a disputed territory. The word “despite” at the beginning of the sentence acts as a detour road sign, indicating that the first half of the sentence contrasts with the second half. You can infer that the sanctions did not have the desired effect on the country and that it continued its undesirable activities.
The first blank describes the type of country that would continue to use force in a disputed territory despite the threat of sanctions. You can predict the adjective “aggressive,” which matches (C) truculent. (A) desultory, which means “lacking a plan,” and (B) parsimonious, which means “frugal,” do not make sense in this context.
The second blank indicates what the nation has done to incur the threat of sanctions. Since the issue involves the disputed territory’s borders, you can predict that the nation’s armies entered the disputed territory unlawfully, which matches (D) breach. (E) circumnavigate means to “go around rather than through” an area, while (F) circumvent means “to avoid altogether.”
The context clues that point to the meaning of the first blank can be found both before and after the semicolon. In the first half of the sentence, the references to “hospitality” and being “welcomed as friends” indicate that the missing word refers to a group of people. In the second half of the sentence, this same group is described as “those who were traveling.” You can, therefore, predict “travelers” for the missing word. This prediction matches (B) sojourners, which refers to people staying in a place for a short time. Choice (A) adversaries means “enemies,” but no context clues indicate that the travelers are hostile. Choice (C) occupants refers to people who live in a particular place, so it would be the opposite of “travelers.”
The second blank describes how ancient people viewed the law of hospitality. As the sentence states, this law was usually “grounded in religious belief” and “ensured basic survival” for travelers, so you can predict that this law was regarded as very important and even sacred. Eliminate (D) discretionary, which means “optional,” and (F) injudicious, which means “foolish.” Choice (E) sacrosanct, which means “sacred” or “inviolable,” is a strong match for the prediction and the correct answer.
The semicolon is a straight-ahead road sign that indicates that the second clause builds on the first. The first blank describes the scientists’ attitude in regard to oceans on Europa. The “if” in the second clause of the sentence indicates that their existence is not certain, so predict that the scientists “hypothesized” that such lakes exist. (A) postulated is a perfect match for this prediction and is correct. (B) refuted, or “declared untrue,” is too negative; the sentence does not imply that there is evidence that proves the lakes are not there. Similarly, there’s no reason to believe that the scientists have (C) overlooked these oceans.
The second blank describes the oceans themselves. All that is known about them from the clues in the sentence is that they are under the surface of one of Jupiter’s moons, so the right answer will relate to that idea. (F) subterranean means “underground” and fits perfectly. (D) embryonic may seem tempting because the oceans are said to be potential sources of life; however, the missing word refers to the oceans themselves, not whatever life may exist within them. When used in such a context, embryonic means “new” or “not yet fully developed,” which doesn’t fit the context. (E) pestilential, which means “harmful” or “virulent,” is too negative to fit the sentence.
The first sentence mentions that Pierce was known for purchasing land, and the keyword “similar” signals that the first blank should also mean something like “purchase” or “obtain.” (C) annex is a match for this idea, and is the correct answer; (A) boycotting Cuba would mean cutting off relations with the country, which is not equivalent to the purchase of land from Mexico described in the first portion of the sentence, and (B) bolster would imply that Pierce was strengthening Cuba in some way, rather than acquiring it.
“Further” is the clue for the second blank, a continuation from the first sentence. The fact that Pierce’s attempt to grab land in Cuba was unpopular “even within his own party” suggests that his actions were even more unpopular among his political opponents. (D) enmity is a match. He certainly wouldn’t garner (E) approbation (meaning “praise”) or (F) largess (meaning “generosity”) from them.
The final blank is part of a very helpful construction on the GRE: when the sentence contains the blank, followed by “and” and another word, the other word is typically a great prediction for the blank. Here, it makes perfect sense to say that his party rejected Pierce and his bid for renomination. (I) repudiate is a synonym for reject and is correct. (G) galvanize would mean that he was energized by his unpopularity, which is not supported by the sentence. (H) abide would imply that his party was overlooking his problems and putting up with him, which is certainly different from their rejection of him.
The key phrase for the first blank is “impassioned speech.” You can tell the correct answer for the first blank is someone who can speak expressively. (B) miscreants and (C) interlopers are not necessarily excellent speakers, but orators are. The correct choice is (A).
For the second blank, the key phrase is “even the most forlorn”; “even” works as a detour road sign, and “forlorn” is negative, so you want a positive term. Since (D) despair and (E) duress are not positive, the answer is (F) ebullience.
The first blank describes the nature of the monarch’s reign, which included “frequent shows of force” and “egregious violations of individual rights.” These negative phrases indicate the first blank should mean something like “severe or harsh use of power.” This prediction matches (C) draconian. Choice (A) inscrutable means “incomprehensible,” but no context clues indicate that the king’s actions were difficult to understand. (B) mercenary, which means “greedy,” is a negative quality but not one supported by the clues.
The second blank describes the king’s acts of generosity. Since the king’s reign was “characterized” by abuses of power, you can predict that it was unusual for the king to act in a generous manner. This prediction matches (D) intermittent, which means “sporadic” or “irregular.” (E) insipid is the opposite and means “commonplace” and “boring,” while (F) legitimate means “lawful.”
To complete the third blank, note the detour road sign “rather than.” The third missing word is thus set up to contrast with the phrase “benevolent king.” These clues indicate that the king’s legacy will reflect his reign, which was oppressive. You can predict that the king would be remembered as a tyrant, which matches (H) despot. (G) prolocutor, which means “spokesperson,” lacks the negative charge needed here. (I) figurehead is a term that describes a leader with no real power.
The detour road sign “Although” indicates that there are two parts of the sentence that contrast with one another. The first blank refers to what the young woman claimed about her attitude toward the debate’s outcome. This claim contrasts with the fact that she quickly reveals herself to be “opinionated.” A good prediction for the first blank would be the phrase “impartial to,” which matches (A) indifferent to. Choice (B) cognizant of means “aware of,” which does not match the prediction, and (C) partial to is the opposite of the prediction.
The second blank describes how the young woman’s demeanor changed from “calm” to something else as she listened to one of the debaters. The change indicated that the young woman was not impartial but actually “opinionated,” so you can predict that her demeanor became either noticeably positive or negative. Eliminate (D) phlegmatic, which means “calm,” and (E) conciliatory, which describes something that is meant to calm. Choice (F) cantankerous means “argumentative,” which fits the predicted meaning.
The third blank describes the type of issue that is being debated. Earlier in the sentence, the debate is described as “heated,” so you can predict that the issue or topic is “controversial.” This prediction matches (I) contentious. Eliminate (G) inscrutable, which means “mysterious,” and (H) trivial, which means “unimportant.”
For the first blank, the key phrase is “explosive, rude remarks.” Choice (A) indifferent suggests neutrality, but being explosive and rude is far from being neutral. The second choice, charming (B), does not make sense because someone who is “explosive” and “rude” is not seen as being charming. Choice (C) volatile means “unstable,” the same as “explosive.”
Since we know the lawyer is explosive, rude, and volatile, we can predict his character will be seen in negative ways. Because (D) courageous and (E) virtuous have positive connotations, choice (F) ignoble is the correct choice.
With the information that he is explosive, rude, volatile, and ignoble, predict what kind of “future as a politician” the lawyer will have. This is the key phrase for identifying the third blank. His character suggests he is not popular, so we can conclude his future is not (G) guaranteed. Choice (I) facetious means “flippant,” which does not make sense as a description of the politician’s future. Choice (H) precarious means “uncertain,” which fits the context of the sentence and is the correct choice.