Question

Difficulty: MediumWords in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

Which word completes the passage in the most logical and precise manner?

Answer:While diplomatic efforts were initially designed to establish a permanent peace between the two warring nations, vague enforcement mechanisms ultimately rendered the treaty ineffective. Lacking concrete protocols to resolve future disputes, the agreement proved to be a highly 【tenuous】 foundation for long-term stability.

Answer

The correct answer is a word that indicates weakness, instability, or fragility, such as 'tenuous' or 'precarious'.
The correct answer must describe a foundation that is weak, fragile, or insecure. The passage indicates that the treaty was 'ineffective' and lacked 'concrete protocols' to resolve disputes. Therefore, words like 'tenuous' or 'precarious' are logical and precise because they describe something that is fragile, uncertain, or lacks strength.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the relationship between the first and second sentences.
The first sentence explains that the treaty was 'rendered ineffective' due to 'vague enforcement mechanisms.' The second sentence elaborates that the agreement lacked 'concrete protocols,' meaning it failed to establish a solid base for peace.
Understanding this relationship clarifies that the blank must describe a weak or unstable foundation.
2
Identify the semantic requirements and tone of the missing word.
Since the treaty was 'ineffective' and lacked concrete rules, the foundation it provided was fragile, insecure, or weak rather than strong or permanent.
This establishes that the correct word must have a negative connotation related to instability or weakness.
3
Select high-utility academic words that precisely fit the grammar and meaning.
Words like 'tenuous' (very weak or slight) or 'precarious' (uncertain or insecure) fit perfectly as adjectives modifying 'foundation' in this context.
This provides the direct logical resolution to the sentence completion task.

Key Concept

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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