51
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.
52
Eduardo Galeano’s novel consi sts of discrete vignettes, so the reader must supply the invisible ------- binding such apparently ------- parts.
(A) emotions . . impersonal
(B) interpretations . . somber
(C) descriptions . . related
(D) connections . . independent
(E) categories . . cohesive
答案：D
解析：The word “so” indicates that the sentence is a cause-and-effect statement: the second half of the sentence must describe the way readers must respond to a novel that “consists of discrete vignettes.” Inserting the terms in choice (D) into the sentence creates a logical cause-and-effect statement. If the novel is composed of “discrete,” or unconnected, episodes, then the reader must supply the “connections” that bind these apparently “independent” parts.
53
The test of truth is not ------- , for we have often felt firmly convinced of many things that were not so.
(A) implication
(B) certitude
(C) originality
(D) impartiality
(E) moderation
答案：B
解析：To be firmly convinced of something, whether it is true or not, is to be certain, or to possess “certitude.”
54
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.
55
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
infe r 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.
56
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.
57
Their ideal was to combine individual liberty with material equality, a goal that has not yet been realized and that may be as ------- as transmutation of lead into gold.
(A) chimerical
(B) indispensable
(C) historical
(D) cynical
(E) inharmonious
答案：A
解析：Look for the word that best describes an activity that, like transmuting lead into gold, is wished for but unlikely to occur.
58
The professor asked the students to make sure they read the entire novel, both the twelve regular chapters and the extensive ------- materials that the author included at the beginning of the book.
(A) proleptic
(B) redacted
(C) prefatory
(D) orthographic
(E) conjunctive
答案：C
解析：Choice (C) is correct. It is customary to refer to materials appearing at the beginni ng of a book (title page, author’s note, introduction, and so forth) as “prefatory,” or the preface, located in the front.
59
Despite their------- proportions, the murals of Diego Rivera give his Mexican compatriots the sense that their history is ------- and human in scale, not remote and larger than life.
(A) monumental . . accessible
(B) focused . . prolonged
(C) vast . . ancient
(D) realistic . . extraneous
(E) narrow . . overwhelming
答案：A
解析：The keys to this sentence are the word “Despite,” the words “human in scale,” and the words “not remote and larger than life.” The word filling the first blank has to be one that would relate closely to something that seems “larger than life.” The word filling the second blank has to fit with “human in scale.” If you focus on just one of the two blanks, you will be able to eliminate several choices before you even think about the other blank.
60
The CEO of the computer company, who had quit school at the age of 15, was a noted -------, having taught himself everything he needed to know about computers and business, in addition to working to gain proficiency in such subjects as international copyright law.
(A) pedant
(B) autodidact
(C) demagogue
(D) ambassador
(E) disputant
答案：B
解析：Choice (B) is correct. An “autodidact” is a person who is self-taught, as the CEO clearly is.
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, woul d 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