1.Correct Answer: D

　　Explanation:

　　Clue:‘however’ indicates a contradictory statement, and therefore we need opposite ideas in the two halves of the sentence.

　　So, Wegener’s theory is unchallenged(everyone accepts it); however he was treated with disdain (contempt).

　　Also the word ‘outsider’ in the sentence indicates that the second blank will have to be a negative word.

　　(approbation = approval; reverence = respect)

　　2.Correct Answer: E

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: ‘as ever’ indicates that things have not changed, so the two halves of the sentence need to say similar things.

　　So, if the revolution has not lost its steam, it will be going on as strongly as before. Therefore rages is the best word.

　　Also the word ‘fiercely’ indicates that we need a strong word.

　　(trudges = walks as though tired; meanders = wanders; ambles = walks aimlessly)

　　3.Correct Answer: D

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: The second half of the sentence is talking about language, and it is amplifying what has been said before the semicolon. Therefore, the first blank needs to be about language and ‘jargon’ is specialized language used in a profession.

　　4.Correct Answer: C

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: He ‘spoke very little’ and so he uses few words.Therefore, taciturn is the best word.

　　(garrulous = talkative; equivocal = ambiguous; gregarious = sociable)

　　5.Correct Answer: D

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: The sentence structure suggests that if biological clocks are a great advantage, then most organisms would possess them. [Or, if they are not an advantage, then organisms will not have them.]

　　Therefore, the obvious value, leads us to expect that organisms possess them.

　　(meager = small, slight; eschew = shun, avoid; ambivalent = ambiguous)

　　6.Correct Answer: A

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: the part after the comma expands on what has been stated. Also note the word ‘least’, which here means ‘not’.

　　Therefore, the peasants were least free, because they were fettered (restricted or bound) by superstition.

　　(enfranchised = given voting rights; enthralled = fascinated; pinioned = tied down; encumbered = burdened)

　　7.Correct Answer: B

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: ‘However’ indicates that the first part of the sentence is contradicted by the second.

　　Therefore, if people once believed that spices preserved food, then the person mentioned found that spices did not preserve food, and in fact the spices were teeming (full of) bacteria etc. that could destroy the food.

　　8.Correct Answer: E

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: ‘but’ indicates something contradictory.

　　So, if the waves are not absorbed they travel on indefinitely (apparently for ever), but the intensity gets less (diminishes) as they travel away.

　　Remember, the sentence has to make the best sense, so saying that sound intensity increases as the waves travel is counter to common sense.

　　(erratically = not constantly; alleviates = makes less severe)sat

　　9.Correct Answer: B

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: Since both ‘differ’ we need opposites.

　　So, since ‘reserved’ and courteous’ are both good words, we need a ‘bad’ word for the blank. Choleric means easily angered and so would be a good opposite to restrained.

　　(phlegmatic = calm, imperturbable; constrained = restrained; tractable = easily lead, docile; stoic = having fortitude)

　　10.Correct Answer: C

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: Try to understand the overall meaning here. The emphasis on one type of literature (British-American) has not reflected the differences (diversity) in our country, which is multicultural. And so the flexibility in our culture has been reduced or suppressed (stifled).

　　(eradicated = wiped out; unanimity = consensus, agreement; aspirations = hopes; thwarted = prevented, inculcate = instill)

　　11.Correct Answer: E

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: ‘far from’ indicates the need for an opposite.

　　So, while the conclusion is abstruse (obscure, difficult to comprehend), it is not totally incomprehensible.

　　(esoteric = obscure; germane = relevant)

　　12.Correct Answer: A

　　Explanation:

　　Clue: The semicolon indicates that the second part of the sentence expands on the first part.

　　So, the second part tells us we are talking about the position, or situation of a cathedral. And since the first part tells us that architects did not pay attention to situation, the cathedral was positioned randomly in odd (incongruous) surroundings.

　　(incongruous = not matching, odd; apt = suitable; ambience = atmosphere, environment; grandiose = on a grand scale)