Question 127·Easy·Words in Context
Despite initial skepticism, the committee ultimately ______ the proposal, allowing it to move forward to the funding stage.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For Words-in-Context questions, always reread the full sentence and pay special attention to contrast words (like "despite," "however," "although") and result clauses (like "allowing it to..."). First, decide the general meaning and tone (positive/negative, supporting/blocking, formal/informal) that the blank must express, and, if possible, think of your own rough word (for example, "approved"). Then, go through the choices and eliminate any whose meanings clash with that context, especially those that would reverse the sentence’s outcome. Use process of elimination aggressively—if three choices clearly don’t fit the meaning or tone, the remaining one is your answer even if its exact definition is less familiar.
Hints
Use the contrast clue
Focus on the phrase "Despite initial skepticism" and the word "ultimately." What does this tell you about how the committee’s attitude or action changes from the beginning to the end?
Look at the result of the action
Pay close attention to the phrase "allowing it to move forward to the funding stage." Does the committee’s action help the proposal progress, or hold it back?
Match each option to the sentence outcome
For each answer choice, ask: Would this action usually lead to progress toward funding, or to regret, delay, or confusion? Eliminate the ones that would block or slow the proposal instead of helping it advance.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure and contrast
The sentence begins with "Despite initial skepticism," which sets up a contrast: at first the committee doubted the proposal, but ultimately it did something different in the end. The phrase after the comma, "allowing it to move forward to the funding stage," shows that the final action helped the proposal progress.
Decide what kind of action is needed
If the proposal can move on to the funding stage, the committee must have taken a supportive, official action rather than blocking, delaying, or being confused by it. Mentally, you might think of a general word like "approved" or "accepted" to describe what the committee did.
Evaluate and eliminate choices that don’t match the context
Now compare each answer to the meaning you inferred:
- "lamented" means expressed sadness or regret about something.
- "stalled" means delayed or stopped progress.
- "confounded" means confused or baffled. All three suggest negative reactions or hindering progress, which does not match a result that allows the proposal to move forward.
Confirm the remaining choice fits both meaning and tone
The remaining option, "ratified," means formally approved or confirmed. This exactly matches what the committee would need to do so that the proposal could "move forward to the funding stage," so "ratified" is the correct answer.