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Difficulty: Very hardWords Commonly Confused and Homonyms

Complete the sentence below by providing the correct word for each blank.

Answer:Rather than remaining 【complacent】 in the face of widespread institutional corruption, the newly appointed auditor launched a thorough investigation, carefully navigating the 【tortuous】 legal regulations to expose all fraudulent practices.

Answer

Blank 1 requires 'complacent' (meaning self-satisfied or unconcerned in the face of danger or error), while Blank 2 requires 'tortuous' (meaning full of twists and turns, highly complex or convoluted).
The context demands 'complacent' in the first blank to convey passive self-satisfaction or apathy toward corrupt practices, and 'tortuous' in the second blank to describe intricate, winding legal regulations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the first blank to determine the intended meaning.
The clause contrasts launching an active investigation with remaining passively unconcerned about corruption. The correct word is 'complacent', not 'complaisant'.
'Complacent' means marked by self-satisfaction or uncritical apathy, whereas 'complaisant' means overly eager to please or oblige others.
2
Analyze the context of the second blank to distinguish between orthographically similar paronyms.
The sentence describes navigating intricate, highly complex legal processes. The correct word is 'tortuous', not 'torturous'.
'Tortuous' means winding, crooked, or excessively complex, whereas 'torturous' means involving or causing severe pain or torture.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between commonly confused paronyms (complacent/complaisant and tortuous/torturous) in formal discourse.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Words Commonly Confused and Homonyms

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