Sentence Equivalence Sample Questions

1. Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly characterize the work as __________.

   1. orthodox
   2. eccentric
   3. original
   4. trifling
   5. conventional
   6. innovative

   Explanation

   The word "Although" is a crucial signpost here. The work contains some pioneering ideas, but apparently it is not overall a pioneering work. Thus the two words that could fill the blank appropriately are "original" and "innovative." Note that "orthodox" and "conventional" are two words that are very similar in meaning, but neither one completes the sentence sensibly.

   Thus the correct answer is Choice C (original) and Choice F (innovative).

2. 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.

   1. ameliorated
   2. ascertained
   3. diagnosed
   4. exacerbated
   5. overlooked
   6. worsened

   Explanation

   The sentence relates a piece of reasoning, as indicated by the presence of "so that": asking for the assistance of foreign technocrats would be counterproductive because of the effects such technocrats have had already. This means that the technocrats must have bad effects; i.e., they must have "exacerbated" or "worsened" the country's problems.

   Thus the correct answer is Choice D (exacerbated) and Choice F (worsened).