moreover
The English language has hundreds of transition words. Fortunately, you don’t need to memorize them, but you do need to be able to spot them.
In the previous example with Eric and the bus, changing the transition from a continuing to a contrasting word (in this case, although to because) directly changes the meaning of the sentence. Note that the transition word isn’t always in the middle of the sentence. Now to work on the second step.
Start with the second or third missing word
Many Text Completion questions have two or three words missing. Often the first missing word could be anything, and the second (or third) missing word tells you the first one. Look at this example:
The transition word although clues you in to the gist of the first phrase. It tells you that Patty’s usual nature is different from the way she felt when receiving her assignment. But this isn’t enough — Patty could usually be of any nature: good, bad, cantankerous (cranky), sanguine (cheerful), capricious (fickle). You need the gist of the second missing word to find the first one.
Second missing word: Patty was _____ when the professor assigned a paper due the day after spring break.
From the second missing word, you can infer that she was annoyed when the professor assigned a paper. It could be different, but probably not. Most people are usually some form of disappointed when assigned papers, especially over spring break. Anyway, knowing she wasn’t happy, the continuing transition word although tells you that she’s usually the opposite:
First missing word: Although she usually was of a _____ nature,
The opposite of annoyed is happy. Patty is usually happy, but today she is annoyed. Now take on the whole question: Although she usually was of a (i) _____ nature, Patty was (ii) _____ when the professor assigned a paper due the day after spring break.
Eliminate answer choices that don’t match the words you used (happy and annoyed) to complete the text. Start with the second missing word.
Using the word clue annoyed, which words from the second column can you eliminate? Enigmatic means mysterious or cryptic, which doesn’t match annoyed. If you don’t know what lugubrious and ebullient mean, you can guess that lugubrious is heavy and ebullient means upbeat, based on how the words sound. (Ebullient means very happy, and lugubrious means sad. Flip to Chapter 7 for a lot more vocabulary.) Eliminate ebullient for not matching annoyed, so lugubrious remains and is the second missing word.
Now for the first missing word. Using the word clue happy, which words from the first column can you eliminate? Frugal doesn’t fit based solely on its meaning (economical), and it has no opposite in the second column. Keen, which means intense, also doesn’t fit, so cheerful seems to be the remaining choice for the first blank. The correct answers are Choices (C) and (E).
Getting Your Hands Dirty with Some Practice
You’re ready to tackle some practice Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions to get a better grasp of how to solve them using all the tools described in this chapter.
Text Completion questions
1. As a public relations specialist, Susan realizes the importance of treating even the most exasperating tourists with kindness and _____.
First, ask yourself, “What’s important when dealing with exasperated tourists?” A public relations specialist would need to be polite. The first word choice, etiquette, looks good, but you don’t treat someone with etiquette. (Etiquette is a system of rules for manners.) Cross that word off the list. You don’t show exasperating tourists compassion, either. Gone. Honesty won’t help. Gone! Realism isn’t even close. Gone! Through logic and elimination, or just because it’s the only one remaining, the correct answer is Choice (C), patience.
2. Enabled by his (i) _____ and unimpeded by any sense of (ii) _____, Henry reached the end of the Ironman Triathlon.
What’s one thing that helps and another that hinders a triathlete? Strength and fatigue are good choices. In the first column, you can rule out knowhow. Either of the remaining words, appetite (in the sense of desire) and stamina, could fit, but stamina is more closely related to strength. In the second blank, eliminate words that don’t match fatigue, and weariness is left over. Correct answers: Choices (C) and (D).
3. Although dismayed by the pejorative comments made about her inappropriate dress at the diplomatic function, Judy (i) _____ her tears and showed only the most calm and (ii) _____ visage to her critics.
If Judy had a calm and (something) visage (a form of the word vision; a countenance, or facial expression), the (something) must go hand in hand with calm. Although the second word doesn’t have to be an exact synonym, it can’t be an antonym, either. Look for a word that means calm. Placid means calm and tranquil, as you may know from the root plac, meaning peace (as in placate). Check the remaining two choices in the second column: Incensed means upset, burning mad (think of burning incense); articulate means well-spoken. Her visage (or facial expression) would not be well-spoken, although Judy herself may be, so cross
