Question:
The diplomat, selected for her demonstrated patience and skill in conducting such delicate negotiations, ---- to make a decision during the talks because any sudden commitment at that time would have been ----.
The diplomat, selected for her demonstrated patience and skill in conducting such delicate negotiations, ---- to make a decision during the talks because any sudden commitment at that time would have been ----.
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In two-blank sentences, make sure the relationship between the words is logical. Here, the "because" clause means the second word must be a good reason for the action described by the first word.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- resolved.. detrimental
- refused.. apropos
- declined.. inopportune
- struggled.. unconscionable
- hesitated.. warranted
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This sentence describes the action of a skilled diplomat. The second part of the sentence, introduced by "because," gives the reason for her action. The two words must be logically consistent.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The diplomat is described as having "patience and skill." The second blank describes a "sudden commitment" as being something negative. A word like "ill-timed," "harmful," or "inappropriate" would fit. The first blank should be an action a patient diplomat would take to avoid making an ill-timed commitment. She would likely delay or refuse to decide immediately. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) resolved.. detrimental: If a commitment would be detrimental (harmful), she would likely not be "resolved" (firmly determined) to make it. This is contradictory.
(B) refused.. apropos: "Apropos" means relevant or appropriate. This would be a reason \textit{to make} a commitment, not to refuse. Contradictory.
(C) declined.. inopportune: She declined (refused) to make a decision because a sudden commitment would have been inopportune (ill-timed, inappropriate). This is perfectly logical and fits the description of a skilled and patient diplomat.
(D) struggled.. unconscionable: "Unconscionable" (unethical) is a very strong word that might fit the second blank, but "struggled" doesn't fit the description of a skilled diplomat. A skilled person would likely decline or refuse decisively.
(E) hesitated.. warranted: "Warranted" means justified. This would be a reason \textit{to make} a commitment, not to hesitate. Contradictory.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The pair "declined.. inopportune" creates the most logical sentence, where a skilled diplomat avoids making a poorly timed decision.
This sentence describes the action of a skilled diplomat. The second part of the sentence, introduced by "because," gives the reason for her action. The two words must be logically consistent.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The diplomat is described as having "patience and skill." The second blank describes a "sudden commitment" as being something negative. A word like "ill-timed," "harmful," or "inappropriate" would fit. The first blank should be an action a patient diplomat would take to avoid making an ill-timed commitment. She would likely delay or refuse to decide immediately. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) resolved.. detrimental: If a commitment would be detrimental (harmful), she would likely not be "resolved" (firmly determined) to make it. This is contradictory.
(B) refused.. apropos: "Apropos" means relevant or appropriate. This would be a reason \textit{to make} a commitment, not to refuse. Contradictory.
(C) declined.. inopportune: She declined (refused) to make a decision because a sudden commitment would have been inopportune (ill-timed, inappropriate). This is perfectly logical and fits the description of a skilled and patient diplomat.
(D) struggled.. unconscionable: "Unconscionable" (unethical) is a very strong word that might fit the second blank, but "struggled" doesn't fit the description of a skilled diplomat. A skilled person would likely decline or refuse decisively.
(E) hesitated.. warranted: "Warranted" means justified. This would be a reason \textit{to make} a commitment, not to hesitate. Contradictory.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The pair "declined.. inopportune" creates the most logical sentence, where a skilled diplomat avoids making a poorly timed decision.
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