Sentence Equivalence Sample Questions

Select the two answer choices that, when used to complete the sentence, fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole and produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning.

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1.  It was her view that the country's problems had been _______ by foreign technocrats, so that to ask for such assistance again would be counterproductive.

A.  ameliorated
B.  ascertained
C.  diagnosed
D.  exacerbated
E.  overlooked
F.  worsened

 

 

Answer Key

1.  The correct answer is Choice D (exacerbated) and Choice F (worsened).

The key adjective in the sentence provided is "counterproductive."  Key direction words include "so that" and "again."  This means that the technocrats must have had bad effects in the past since they would continue to be negative.  Verbs that demonstrate this negative influence are exacerbated and worsened.  (Note the root word acer in exacerbated, related to acerbic and acid -- which describes a harsh influence.)