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Difficulty: MediumWords Commonly Confused and Homonyms

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blanks with the contextually appropriate words.

Answer:Although the chief executive officer was not 【averse】 to taking calculated risks, she advised the board against proceeding under such 【adverse】 market conditions.

Answer

The correct words to complete the sentence are 'averse' for the first blank and 'adverse' for the second blank.
The word 'averse' means feeling reluctant or disinclined, which fits the personal attitude toward risk in the first blank. The word 'adverse' means unfavorable or harmful, which correctly describes hostile market conditions in the second blank.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the first blank following 'was not... to'.
The sentence describes an inclination or unwillingness toward taking risks. The adjective 'averse' (followed by 'to') means strongly disinclined, opposed, or reluctant.
Choosing 'averse' correctly completes the idiomatic expression 'not averse to', meaning willing or open to.
2
Analyze the context of the second blank modifying 'market conditions'.
The context requires an adjective describing unfavorable, hostile, or harmful conditions. The adjective 'adverse' means harmful, unfavorable, or opposing one's interests.
'Adverse market conditions' is the correct formal collocation for unfavorable economic or financial circumstances.

Key Concept

Distinction between 'averse' (reluctant/opposed) and 'adverse' (unfavorable/hostile)
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Topics

Words Commonly Confused and Homonyms

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