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Difficulty: Very hardLeveraging Secondary and Obscure Word Definitions

Despite the rapid digitalization of international commerce, several archaic tariff exemptions still ________ in maritime trade disputes, leaving tribunal judges with no choice but to honor precedents established centuries ago. Which of the following two options, when inserted into the blank, best complete the sentence and yield sentences that are most similar in meaning?

  1. obtainAnswer
  2. B
    acquire
  3. prevailAnswer
  4. D
    procure
  5. E
    flourish
  6. F
    falter

Answer

The words 'obtain' and 'prevail' both correctly complete the sentence, establishing that the archaic exemptions continue to hold legal force or exist in practice.
The sentence requires a word indicating that ancient legal exemptions continue to exist or hold force despite modern commercial changes. The word 'obtain' possesses an obscure secondary intransitive definition meaning 'to be in effect or customary'. Paired with 'prevail' (meaning to hold sway or remain widespread), both words complete the sentence with complete semantic equivalence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze structural transition signals and sentence polarity.
The sentence begins with 'Despite', signaling a contrast between 'rapid digitalization' and the persistence of 'archaic tariff exemptions'. The second clause reinforces that tribunal judges are bound to 'honor precedents established centuries ago'.
Establishing context polarity ensures the blank requires a word meaning 'to remain in force', 'exist', or 'be customary'.
2
Evaluate vocabulary choices against secondary definition requirements.
The word 'obtain' has an obscure, secondary intransitive meaning: 'to be established, accepted, or in force' (e.g., 'the rule still obtains'). The word 'prevail' similarly means 'to be widespread, customary, or hold sway'.
Both words fit the context perfectly and create semantically equivalent sentences.
3
Eliminate false synonym pairs and primary definition distractors.
'Acquire' and 'procure' form a synonym pair matching the primary definition of 'obtain' (to get), but fail contextually. 'Flourish' alters sentence connotation, and 'falter' contradicts the structural logic.
Ensures that distractors are rejected based on precise error taxonomy analysis.

Key Concept

Leveraging secondary word definitions in Sentence Equivalence
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Leveraging Secondary and Obscure Word Definitions

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