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Difficulty: MediumInterpreting Continuation and Causal Structural Signals

In her analysis of late nineteenth-century labor movements, the historian observed that the rapid proliferation of local trade unions did not merely unite disparate worker factions; furthermore, by establishing a consolidated platform for collective bargaining, these coalitions systematically ___________ the negotiating power of the working class.

Which two of the following options, when inserted into the sentence, produce completed sentences that are logically consistent and produce equivalent meanings?

  1. augmentedAnswer
  2. enhancedAnswer
  3. C
    curtailed
  4. D
    diminished
  5. E
    documented
  6. F
    ratified

Answer

The correct options are the words meaning to increase or bolster ('augmented' and 'enhanced'). Both words logically complete the sentence to show that establishing a consolidated bargaining platform increased the working class's power, keeping the sentence coherent and equivalent in meaning.
The sentence uses the transition 'did not merely...; furthermore' alongside a causal phrase ('by establishing a consolidated platform') to indicate that the outcome was an expansion of power. The words meaning to increase or strengthen ('augmented' and 'enhanced') fit the blank precisely and produce sentences with identical meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze sentence structure and transition signals.
The clause contains 'did not merely...; furthermore', which is an additive continuation signal establishing that the second clause reinforces and builds upon the positive outcome mentioned in the first clause.
Structural signals dictate whether the blank requires a word with positive, negative, or contrasting valence.
2
Determine the required contextual meaning and polarity for the blank.
The phrase 'by establishing a consolidated platform for collective bargaining' provides a positive causal reason. Therefore, the blank must express an increase, expansion, or strengthening of negotiating power.
The causal relationship specifies how the platform affected negotiating power.
3
Evaluate option pairs for semantic equivalence and contextual fit.
'Augmented' and 'enhanced' both mean to increase or intensify. When placed into the blank, both yield identical meaning and logical sentence completion.
GRE Sentence Equivalence requires two words that independently complete the sentence with equivalent overall meaning.

Key Concept

Identifying continuation and causal signals (e.g., 'furthermore', 'by [action]') to determine sentence polarity and select contextual synonym pairs.
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Topics

Interpreting Continuation and Causal Structural Signals

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