Question:
The acts of vandalism that these pranksters had actually ---- were insignificant compared with those they had ---- but had not attempted.
The acts of vandalism that these pranksters had actually ---- were insignificant compared with those they had ---- but had not attempted.
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Look for the logical pivot in the sentence. Here, the phrase "but had not attempted" is the key. It signals that the second blank must be a word related to planning or thinking, in contrast to the first blank which must be a word for doing.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- hidden.. renounced
- advocated.. meditated
- inflicted.. dismissed
- committed.. effected
- perpetrated.. contemplated
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This sentence completion question draws a comparison between two sets of actions: those that were actually done and those that were only thought about.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. The first blank needs a verb that means "to carry out" or "to do," referring to "acts of vandalism."
2. The second blank needs a verb that means "to think about" or "to plan," referring to acts that were considered but "not attempted."
3. The structure "compared with those they had ---- but had not attempted" clearly separates thought from action.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- (E) perpetrated.. contemplated: To "perpetrate" an act is to carry it out. To "contemplate" an act is to think about it. This pair perfectly captures the distinction between what was done and what was merely thought about.
- (A) "Hidden" is not a synonym for committed, and "renounced" (rejected) is the opposite of what is implied.
- (B) "Advocated" (supported) and "meditated" (thought deeply) could fit, but the chosen pair is more precise. "Perpetrated" is a more common word for committing a crime than "advocated."
- (C) "Inflicted" works for the first blank, but "dismissed" (rejected) doesn't fit the second.
- (D) "Committed" works for the first blank, but "effected" (brought about) is a synonym for action, not a word for a thought or plan.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The acts they actually perpetrated (carried out) were minor compared to the acts they had only contemplated (thought about).
This sentence completion question draws a comparison between two sets of actions: those that were actually done and those that were only thought about.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. The first blank needs a verb that means "to carry out" or "to do," referring to "acts of vandalism."
2. The second blank needs a verb that means "to think about" or "to plan," referring to acts that were considered but "not attempted."
3. The structure "compared with those they had ---- but had not attempted" clearly separates thought from action.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- (E) perpetrated.. contemplated: To "perpetrate" an act is to carry it out. To "contemplate" an act is to think about it. This pair perfectly captures the distinction between what was done and what was merely thought about.
- (A) "Hidden" is not a synonym for committed, and "renounced" (rejected) is the opposite of what is implied.
- (B) "Advocated" (supported) and "meditated" (thought deeply) could fit, but the chosen pair is more precise. "Perpetrated" is a more common word for committing a crime than "advocated."
- (C) "Inflicted" works for the first blank, but "dismissed" (rejected) doesn't fit the second.
- (D) "Committed" works for the first blank, but "effected" (brought about) is a synonym for action, not a word for a thought or plan.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The acts they actually perpetrated (carried out) were minor compared to the acts they had only contemplated (thought about).
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