Read the unseen prose extract below:
"The newly appointed director faced an inimical board of trustees whose hostility toward innovation threatened to derail the reform agenda. To counter their opposition, she employed an astute diplomatic strategy, shrewdly identifying common interests among key members. Her unsparing critique of past administrative failures forced the committee to confront harsh realities, while her unwavering commitment to transparency ultimately secured their reluctant support."
Match each bold vocabulary word from the passage on the left with its correct contextual meaning on the right.
- inimicalHostile and opposing in attitude
- astuteShrewd and perceptive in judgment
- unsparingSevere and uncompromising in delivery
- unwaveringFirm and steadfast in resolve
Answer
'inimical' matches 'Hostile and opposing in attitude'; 'astute' matches 'Shrewd and perceptive in judgment'; 'unsparing' matches 'Severe and uncompromising in delivery'; 'unwavering' matches 'Firm and steadfast in resolve'.
Each bold word is paired with the definition that accurately reflects its contextual function in the passage: 'inimical' reflects hostility toward reform, 'astute' reflects shrewd diplomatic judgment, 'unsparing' reflects severe and uncompromising critique, and 'unwavering' reflects firm commitment.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Determining precise contextual word meanings using surrounding textual evidence and author tone.