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Difficulty: Very hardWords Commonly Confused and Homonyms

Despite facing __________ weather conditions during the trans-Saharan expedition, the team leader chose to __________ from taking hasty measures until the main supply convoy arrived. Which pair of words correctly completes the sentence?

  1. adverse / forbearAnswer
  2. B
    averse / forbear
  3. C
    adverse / forebear
  4. D
    averse / forebear

Answer

The word pair 'adverse / forbear' correctly completes the sentence.
The correct response combines 'adverse' (meaning hostile or unfavorable, appropriate for environmental conditions) and 'forbear' (a verb meaning to refrain or hold back).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the first blank modifying 'weather conditions'.
The sentence describes harsh or unfavorable external environmental conditions. The adjective required is 'adverse' (meaning hostile, detrimental, or unfavorable). By contrast, 'averse' describes an internal feeling of unwillingness or opposition (e.g., 'he is averse to risk').
Correctly identifying the semantic distinction between 'adverse' (unfavorable) and 'averse' (opposed) eliminates choices containing 'averse'.
2
Analyze the grammatical function and meaning required for the second blank after 'chose to'.
The position following 'chose to' requires an infinitive verb meaning to abstain or refrain from acting. The verb form is 'forbear' (spelled without an 'e' after 'for'). The word 'forebear' (with an 'e') is a noun meaning ancestor.
Distinguishing the verb 'forbear' (to hold back) from the noun 'forebear' (ancestor) resolves the second blank.

Key Concept

Distinguishing orthographically and phonetically similar confusable word pairs (paronyms and homophones) in context.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Words Commonly Confused and Homonyms

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