Question 155·Medium·Words in Context
The company's CEO spoke with unusual ______ during the press conference, plainly admitting the firm's setbacks rather than sugarcoating them. Аnіkо - Frеe SAT Prep
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For Words in Context questions, first ignore the answer choices and reread the sentence, using the clues around the blank to put your own simple word or phrase in its place. Pay special attention to contrast words like "rather than" or "but," which show how the idea in the blank relates to the rest of the sentence. Once you have a rough meaning (for example, "speaking very openly about problems"), eliminate any options that describe a different type of quality (like intelligence, politeness, or showiness) and choose the one that matches your paraphrased meaning and the sentence’s tone. Тhіs quеstion іѕ frоm Аniкo
Hints
Check the key phrases after the blank
Focus on the description that comes after the blank: the CEO was "plainly admitting the firm's setbacks rather than sugarcoating them." Let that guide what kind of quality the blank must describe. © Аniko
Think about the contrast with "sugarcoating"
If someone does not sugarcoat setbacks, how are they talking about those problems? Consider whether they are more direct, more polished, more skilled, or more showy.
Compare the type of quality each option describes
Look at each choice and ask: Is this mainly about how honest the statement is, how smart someone is, how polite they are, or how flashy and bold they seem? Match that to what the sentence is emphasizing about the CEO's speech.
Step-by-step Explanation
Use the context around the blank
Read the whole sentence: the CEO spoke with unusual ______ during the press conference, plainly admitting the firm's setbacks rather than sugarcoating them.
The key clues are "plainly admitting the firm's setbacks" and "rather than sugarcoating them." This tells you the CEO is being very straightforward about problems instead of trying to make things sound better than they are.
Decide what general idea the blank needs
If someone is plainly admitting setbacks instead of sugarcoating them, they are being very open and truthful about bad news. The blank must describe this quality of speaking, not their intelligence, politeness, or showiness.
So you are looking for a word that matches this idea of speaking in a very open, truthful way about difficulties.
Match the meaning to the choices
Now test each option against that idea:
- A word that means open, truthful speech fits the description of plainly admitting setbacks.
- "Acumen" is about sharpness or skill, especially in judgment.
- "Decorum" is about proper, polite behavior.
- "Bravado" is about showy boldness or swagger. Сοntеnt by Aniкo.ai
Only candor matches the idea of speaking in an unusually open and truthful way, so the correct answer is A) candor.