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Question

Difficulty: EasyMulti-Blank Dependency Tracking

Complete the passage by filling in each blank with the word that best maintains the semantic and logical coherence of the sentence.

Answer:Far from being 【stringent】, the new policy proved remarkably 【accommodating】, quickly earning the enthusiastic support of the staff.

Answer

The first blank requires a word denoting strictness or severity (such as 'stringent' or 'harsh'), while the second blank requires a positive, flexible quality (such as 'accommodating' or 'lenient') that contrasts with the first blank and aligns with earning enthusiastic support.
The contrast structural marker 'Far from being' establishes that the two blanks must hold opposing meanings. The contextual clue 'earning the enthusiastic support of the staff' dictates that the second blank must describe a welcoming, flexible, or positive quality (e.g., 'accommodating' or 'lenient'). Consequently, the first blank must describe an undesirable, severe quality (e.g., 'stringent' or 'harsh') that the policy was expected to have but did not.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structural contrast signal in the sentence.
The phrase 'Far from being...' indicates an antonymous or contrasting relationship between the characteristic in the first blank and the quality in the second blank.
Structural pivot clues define the polarity between interdependent blanks.
2
Analyze the contextual outcome to determine the tone of the second blank.
The clause 'quickly earning the enthusiastic support of the staff' signals that the policy's actual nature (the second blank) is positive and favorable to employees.
The surrounding context provides the benchmark valence for the sentence.
3
Align the first blank using inter-blank dependency.
Because the second blank is positive and user-friendly, the first blank must express the opposite characteristic (severe, restrictive, or harsh) to satisfy the 'Far from being' contrast.
Both blanks must be solved simultaneously to ensure logical consistency across the pivot.

Key Concept

Multi-Blank Dependency Tracking
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Topics

Multi-Blank Dependency Tracking

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