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Difficulty: MediumSecondary Meanings and Polysemy

While the early stages of the archaeological excavation yielded groundbreaking discoveries at a rapid pace, the team's momentum began to ________ when they encountered unexpectedly dense bedrock and severe weather. Which of the following words best completes the sentence?

  1. flagAnswer
  2. B
    signal
  3. C
    flourish
  4. D
    surge
  5. E
    stabilize

Answer

flag
The sentence sets up a contrast between early rapid success and a subsequent downturn caused by severe obstacles. The word 'flag' possesses a specialized secondary definition meaning to decline in vigor, slow down, or falter. Selecting 'flag' accurately completes the thought that the team's momentum began to diminish.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze sentence structure and structural indicators.
The opening concession 'While...' contrasts the initial 'rapid pace' with a change in momentum after encountering 'dense bedrock and severe weather'.
Identifying contrast signals clarifies that the blank requires a word indicating a slowdown or reduction in progress.
2
Determine the contextual target meaning for the blank.
The blank must mean to falter, weaken, or lose speed.
Arduous physical obstacles and bad weather naturally cause progress to diminish.
3
Evaluate option definitions, considering polysemy and secondary definitions.
The verb 'flag' has a secondary definition meaning to weaken, lose vigor, or slow down, making it the precise contextual fit.
Recognizing the polysemous nature of common words allows selection of the obscure definition required by GRE context.

Key Concept

Secondary Meanings of Polysemous Words in Context
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Topics

Secondary Meanings and Polysemy

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