Question:
Joe spoke of superfluous and ---- matters with exactly the same degree of intensity, as though for him serious issues mattered neither more nor less than did ----.
Joe spoke of superfluous and ---- matters with exactly the same degree of intensity, as though for him serious issues mattered neither more nor less than did ----.
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In sentences with parallel structure, look for corresponding words that should be either synonyms or antonyms. Here, the phrase "neither more nor less than" demands a contrast between "serious issues" and the second blank.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- vital.. trivialities
- redundant.. superficialities
- important.. necessities
- impractical.. outcomes
- humdrum.. essentials
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This two-blank sentence completion describes a person, Joe, who treats important and unimportant things with the same level of seriousness. The two blanks in each clause must reflect this contrast between the significant and the insignificant.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence has a parallel structure. The first part says Joe spoke of "superfluous" (unnecessary) and "----" matters with the same intensity. To create a contrast, the first blank should be a word that means the opposite of superfluous, i.e., something important or necessary. The second part says "serious issues" mattered to him as much as "----". To complete the idea that he doesn't distinguish between important and unimportant things, the second blank should be a word for unimportant things. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) vital.. trivialities: "Vital" means absolutely necessary or important. This contrasts perfectly with "superfluous." "Trivialities" are things of little value or importance. This contrasts perfectly with "serious issues." This pair fits both parts of the sentence.
(B) redundant.. superficialities: "Redundant" is a synonym for superfluous, not a contrast.
(C) important.. necessities: "Important" fits the first blank, but "necessities" does not contrast with "serious issues" in the second part.
(D) impractical.. outcomes: These words don't create the necessary contrast between important and unimportant.
(E) humdrum.. essentials: The order is reversed. "Humdrum" (dull) would be synonymous with superfluous, and "essentials" would contrast with it.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The pair "vital.. trivialities" correctly establishes the contrast in both clauses of the sentence, showing that Joe treats important and unimportant matters equally.
This two-blank sentence completion describes a person, Joe, who treats important and unimportant things with the same level of seriousness. The two blanks in each clause must reflect this contrast between the significant and the insignificant.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence has a parallel structure. The first part says Joe spoke of "superfluous" (unnecessary) and "----" matters with the same intensity. To create a contrast, the first blank should be a word that means the opposite of superfluous, i.e., something important or necessary. The second part says "serious issues" mattered to him as much as "----". To complete the idea that he doesn't distinguish between important and unimportant things, the second blank should be a word for unimportant things. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) vital.. trivialities: "Vital" means absolutely necessary or important. This contrasts perfectly with "superfluous." "Trivialities" are things of little value or importance. This contrasts perfectly with "serious issues." This pair fits both parts of the sentence.
(B) redundant.. superficialities: "Redundant" is a synonym for superfluous, not a contrast.
(C) important.. necessities: "Important" fits the first blank, but "necessities" does not contrast with "serious issues" in the second part.
(D) impractical.. outcomes: These words don't create the necessary contrast between important and unimportant.
(E) humdrum.. essentials: The order is reversed. "Humdrum" (dull) would be synonymous with superfluous, and "essentials" would contrast with it.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The pair "vital.. trivialities" correctly establishes the contrast in both clauses of the sentence, showing that Joe treats important and unimportant matters equally.
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