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Question

Difficulty: HardVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the passage excerpt below carefully. Which word contextually fills the blank to mean to tolerate or permit in this formal setting?

Answer:During the heated parliamentary debate on institutional reform, the speaker firmly announced that the committee would 【brook】 no further dilatory tactics from opposition members.

Answer

The word that correctly completes the passage in this context is 'brook' (or semantic equivalents such as 'countenance' or 'tolerate').
In formal English, the verb 'brook' means to allow or tolerate, almost exclusively used in negative constructions such as 'brook no delay' or 'brook no interference'. In the given passage, the speaker is prohibiting further delays, making 'brook' (or 'countenance'/'tolerate') the exact contextual fit.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the sentence structure and tone of the passage
The speaker is addressing 'dilatory tactics' (deliberate delays) in an authoritative, formal parliamentary context.
Understanding the formal setting helps determine both the meaning and the appropriate register of the missing word.
2
Determine the required grammatical function and contextual meaning
The blank follows the modal auxiliary 'would' and requires a transitive verb meaning 'to endure', 'allow', or 'tolerate'.
The phrase 'would [verb] no further...' indicates an absolute refusal to accept obstruction.
3
Select the precise formal vocabulary item
'Brook' is a formal verb that specifically collocates with negative terms like 'no' to mean refusing to allow or tolerate something.
'Brook' provides the exact semantic fit required by standard academic and parliamentary English.

Key Concept

Contextual Word Meaning and Register Substitution
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Topics

Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

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