Question:

Given how BLANK the shortcomings of the standard economic model are in its portrayal of human behavior, the failure of many economists to respond to them is astonishing. They continue to fill the journals with yet more proofs of yet more BLANK theorems.
BLANK 1 Options: (A) overlooked, (B) occasional, (C) patent
BLANK 2 Options: (D) comprehensive, (E) improbable, (F) pervasive

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Look for words that signal the author's tone. Here, "astonishing" is a key indicator of the author's critical stance. The correct words for the blanks must align with this critical tone.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

Correct Answer: (C) patent, (F) pervasive
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This sentence criticizes a group of economists. The first sentence establishes a cause-and-effect relationship: because the shortcomings of a model are so X, the failure to respond is astonishing. The second sentence describes the economists' misguided actions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Blank 1: The author finds the economists' failure to act "astonishing." This implies that the shortcomings of their model are extremely obvious and should not be ignored. The word (C) patent, which means easily recognizable or obvious, perfectly fits this context. If the shortcomings were "overlooked" or "occasional," the failure to respond would not be astonishing.
Blank 2: This blank describes the theorems that the economists continue to prove instead of addressing the model's flaws. The sentence suggests they are engaged in redundant or irrelevant work within their flawed system. They are proving theorems that are already widespread and accepted within that system, rather than challenging it. (F) pervasive, meaning widespread or prevalent, accurately describes such theorems. They are reinforcing the very system whose shortcomings are so patent.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The full sentence argues that given how patent (obvious) the model's shortcomings are, it's astonishing that economists keep proving yet more pervasive (widespread) theorems within that same flawed model.
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