Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumLeveraging Secondary and Obscure Word Definitions

Although the lead investigator argued that the initial network breach was inconsequential, critics warned that exposing unencrypted patient records to public servers would inevitably ________ the integrity of the long-term clinical trial. Which TWO of the following words, when inserted into the blank, best complete the sentence and produce sentences that are equivalent in meaning?

  1. compromiseAnswer
  2. B
    reconcile
  3. C
    bolster
  4. jeopardizeAnswer
  5. E
    validate
  6. F
    fortify

Answer

The correct choices are 'compromise' and 'jeopardize'. Both words accurately capture the sense of exposing the trial's integrity to risk or harm.
The sentence structure establishes a contrast between the lead investigator's view (that the breach was inconsequential) and the critics' warning. Exposing unencrypted data would negative impact or harm trial integrity. 'Compromise' (in its secondary sense of exposing to danger or disrepute) and 'jeopardize' (to imperil or put at risk) both complete the sentence coherently and yield identical meanings.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze structural clues and sentence polarity
The opening concession 'Although... inconsequential' signals a contrast. The main clause presents the critics' warning about exposing unencrypted data, indicating a negative outcome for the trial's integrity.
Establishing contextual tone reveals that the missing word must mean to harm, undermine, or put at risk.
2
Evaluate word definitions including secondary meanings
'Jeopardize' directly means to endanger. 'Compromise', while commonly used to mean settling differences by mutual concession, has a secondary definition meaning to weaken, endanger, or expose to risk.
Recognizing the secondary definition of 'compromise' yields a pair of context-appropriate synonyms.
3
Verify pair equivalence and eliminate distractors
Both 'compromise' and 'jeopardize' produce equivalent sentences indicating that the trial's integrity is threatened. Options like 'bolster' and 'fortify' reverse the sentence logic, while 'reconcile' misapplies the primary definition of compromise.
Ensures that both selected words fit the sentence independently and create semantically identical sentences.

Key Concept

Secondary Word Meanings in Sentence Equivalence
Rate this question

Topics

Leveraging Secondary and Obscure Word Definitions

More questions from this topic