Directions: Choose the word or set of words that best completes the f...
Explanation:
The sentence describes two individuals with contrasting characteristics. Let's analyze the options provided:
a) enigmatic - ponderous - chatter
"Enigmatic" means mysterious or puzzling, which doesn't fit the description of the first person in the sentence. "Ponderous" means slow and clumsy, which also doesn't fit. "Chatter" means to talk rapidly or incessantly, which doesn't fit the description of the first person either.
b) terse - verbose - harangue
"Terse" means using few words, which fits the description of the first person who never wasted words. "Verbose" means using too many words, which fits the description of the second person who loved to talk. "Harangue" means to lecture or criticize aggressively, which doesn't fit the context of the sentence.
c) lithe - boorish - lampoon
"Lithe" means graceful or flexible, which doesn't fit the description of the first person. "Boorish" means rough or ill-mannered, which doesn't fit the description of the second person who loved to talk cheerfully. "Lampoon" means to publicly criticize or mock, which doesn't fit the context of the sentence.
d) hedonistic - ascetic - abstain
"Hedonistic" means pursuing pleasure or self-indulgence, which doesn't fit the description of either person. "Ascetic" means practicing self-discipline and abstaining from worldly pleasures, which also doesn't fit. "Abstain" means to refrain from something, which doesn't fit the context of the sentence.
e) laconic - loquacious - prattle
"Laconic" means using few words, which fits the description of the first person who never wasted words. "Loquacious" means talkative, which fits the description of the second person who loved to talk cheerfully. "Prattle" means to talk at length about trivial matters, which fits the context of the sentence.
Therefore, the correct answer is option e) laconic - loquacious - prattle.
Directions: Choose the word or set of words that best completes the f...
We know from the structure of the sentence—specifically the "but"—that we are dealing with opposites. Whichever word we pick for the first blank, the second blank needs to be its antonym. We know that the guy the sentence refers to is not talkative, so we can eliminate all of the answer choices except for "laconic," "terse," and "enigmatic." Looking at the next blank, our choices are "laconic - loquacious," "terse - verbose," and "enigmatic - ponderous."
We can eliminate "enigmatic - ponderous" as the two words are not opposites. For the third blank, we need a word that makes sense with "cheerfully" and the sister's interest in any topic. Between "prattle" and "harangue," we should choose "prattle," as it means to babble or to talk in a foolish way about unimportant topics instead of "harangue," which means to criticize someone aggressively out loud. So, the correct answer is "laconic - loquacious - prattle."
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