Proponent, catalyst.
The woman in this sentence “finally got the bill onto
the legislative agenda,” so she is definitely an advocate, or “proponent,” of
the legislation. She’s not a “critic” of the legislation, but she’s also not an
“apologist” since there’s no clue in the sentence to believe that the legislation
is controversial. In blank (ii), “mercenary” means she would be paid for her
efforts and “lackey” means she would be doing this subserviently for
someone else. Either option might work if there were additional clues about
the subject, but without those clues, “catalyst,” someone who creates change,
is the best option and the correct answer.
14.
Trumpet, taciturn.
Jeremy is successful, but it takes his family a long
time to discover his accomplishments. Thus, Jeremy does not brag—or even
report the facts! To “trumpet” is to talk loudly or report something to
everyone and is a better option than “demarcate,” set the boundaries of, or
“whitewash,” cover up some unpleasant facts. In the second blank, only
“taciturn,” which means quiet, works, Jeremy doesn’t talk much at all.
“Improvident” means not providing for the future, and “dissolute” means lax
in morals or licentious. Nothing in the sentence indicates either description.
15.
Acerbic, impecunious.
Standing alone, any of the choices for the first
blank could describe “witticisms,” which are witty remarks. Remarks could
be “innovative” (original or creative), “acerbic” (sharp or sarcastic), or
“inimical” (harmful or hostile). However, the remarks are described as
“cutting remarks” after the semicolon, so the first blank should match that
characterization. “Cutting” is a synonym for “acerbic,” so this is the best
choice. “Inimical” is too negative, conflicting with the idea that “Wilde
catapulted to sudden fame both because of and despite” his remarks. The
second blank is part of a two-part list: “he died __________ and sickly.” The
cause is given in the preceding two-part list: “the cutting remarks … led to his
financial and physical ruin.” A two-by-two structure like this stays in order,
meaning that “financial … ruin” is related to the blank, just as “physical ruin”
is related to “sickly.” Only “impecunious,” which means poor or destitute,
fits. Neither “pallid” (pale) nor “aghast” (horrified) fits with “financial ruin.”
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