Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1Given that the figures cannot yet be trusted, postponing the launch seems ............... rather than defeatist.
Wrong!
"cautious" is correct because the sentence infers prudence from postponing a launch when the figures are unreliable.
2The report ............... deny the risk as relocate it from the manufacturer to the subcontractor.
Wrong!
"does not so much" is correct because the following "as" sets up the construction meaning 'not X, but rather Y'.
3Even if the minister’s chronology is accepted, his defence is ............... unconvincing because it fails to address the strongest objection.
Wrong!
"at best" is correct because it gives the most generous possible evaluation, which the later doubts then limit.
4Far from vindicating the committee, the newly released emails make its neutrality, ..............., more doubtful.
Wrong!
"if anything" is correct because the sentence says the new evidence pushes the judgement further in the opposite direction.
5The omission is ............... serious for being buried in a footnote rather than stated in the main text.
Wrong!
"no less" is correct because it evaluates the second failure as equally serious despite being less visible.
6By withdrawing the claim only after contradictory data surfaced, the firm’s statement amounts to ............... that its earlier assurance was premature.
Wrong!
"an admission" is correct because withdrawing a central claim after contradictory data appears is being evaluated as a tacit concession.
7The inquiry finds that the directors were negligent, but it stops short of ............... them of dishonesty.
Wrong!
"accusing" is correct because the sentence says the inquiry finds negligence but avoids a formal charge of dishonesty.
8When the sponsor said future cooperation would be reconsidered if the article appeared, the editor treated it as ............... .
Wrong!
"a veiled threat" is correct because the warning about future cooperation implies pressure rather than regret.
9The memo, written the same day and saying the opposite, ............... his testimony rather than supporting it.
Wrong!
"undermines" is correct because a contemporaneous memo saying the opposite weakens the witness’s later claim.
10Since failing to disclose the defect would breach the contract, notifying the buyer is a matter of ............... rather than preference.
Wrong!
"necessity" is correct because the sentence says failure to act would breach the contract, making the action obligatory.
11............... , the analyst acknowledged the error before anyone else noticed it, despite pressure to keep quiet.
Wrong!
"To his credit" is correct because the sentence evaluates his behaviour positively despite pressure to do otherwise.
12The exceptional workload ............... the delay, but does not excuse the failure to warn the client.
Wrong!
"explains" is correct because the context gives a reason for the delay while explicitly refusing to justify it.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Given that the figures cannot yet be trusted, postponing the launch seems cautious rather than defeatist.
- The report does not so much deny the risk as relocate it from the manufacturer to the subcontractor.
- Even if the minister’s chronology is accepted, his defence is at best unconvincing because it fails to address the strongest objection.
- Far from vindicating the committee, the newly released emails make its neutrality, if anything, more doubtful.
- The omission is no less serious for being buried in a footnote rather than stated in the main text.
- By withdrawing the claim only after contradictory data surfaced, the firm’s statement amounts to an admission that its earlier assurance was premature.
- The inquiry finds that the directors were negligent, but it stops short of accusing them of dishonesty.
- When the sponsor said future cooperation would be reconsidered if the article appeared, the editor treated it as a veiled threat.
- The memo, written the same day and saying the opposite, undermines his testimony rather than supporting it.
- Since failing to disclose the defect would breach the contract, notifying the buyer is a matter of necessity rather than preference.
- To his credit , the analyst acknowledged the error before anyone else noticed it, despite pressure to keep quiet.
- The exceptional workload explains the delay, but does not excuse the failure to warn the client.
