Question

The failure of many psychotherapists to ---- the results of pioneering research could be due in part to the specialized nature of such findings: even ---- findings may not be useful.

• A. understand.. baffling
• B. envision.. accessible
• C. utilize.. momentous
• D. reproduce.. duplicated
• E. affirm.. controversial

Hint:

In sentences with a colon, the second clause almost always explains, elaborates on, or gives an example of the first clause. Use this relationship to test the word pairs. The reason given after the colon must logically explain the situation described before it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This two-blank sentence completion explains why psychotherapists might not be using new research findings. The colon indicates that the second part of the sentence will explain or elaborate on the first part.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The first part of the sentence describes a "failure" of psychotherapists regarding "pioneering research." The second part gives a reason: the "specialized nature" of the findings makes them not "useful."
Let's analyze the blanks: - The first blank should describe what the therapists are failing to do with the research. Given that the research is not "useful," a logical failure would be the failure to \textit{use} or \textit{apply} it. Words like "utilize," "implement," or "apply" would fit. - The second blank describes the type of findings that are not useful due to their specialized nature. The word "even" suggests a surprising or extreme case. So, even findings that are normally considered important might not be useful. Words like "important," "significant," or "momentous" would fit. Now let's evaluate the options:

(A) understand.. baffling: If findings are baffling (confusing), it makes sense that therapists can't understand them. This is a consistent pair.
(B) envision.. accessible: "Envision" doesn't quite fit the context of using research results. Also, if findings are accessible, they should be useful, which contradicts the sentence.
(C) utilize.. momentous: This pair fits the logic perfectly. The failure to utilize (use) research is explained by the fact that even momentous (very important) findings may not be useful if they are too specialized. This captures the surprising nature indicated by "even."
(D) reproduce.. duplicated: "Reproducing" research is typically done by other researchers, not practicing therapists. Also, "even duplicated findings" doesn't create the intended meaning of importance.
(E) affirm.. controversial: Therapists might have good reason not to affirm controversial findings. This doesn't align with the idea that the findings are simply not "useful" due to specialization.
Comparing (A) and (C): While (A) is logical, the word "utilize" in (C) is a better fit for what a practitioner does with research than "understand." A therapist might understand a study but still not find it useful for their practice. "Utilize" gets to the heart of the practical application. Furthermore, "momentous" better captures the "even though they are important" idea than "baffling."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The pair "utilize.. momentous" provides the most logical and precise meaning for the sentence.