Question 19·Easy·Words in Context
During the early days of space exploration, mission control was constantly ______ unforeseen challenges, from equipment malfunctions to communication delays.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For words-in-context questions, first paraphrase the sentence in your own words and decide what general idea is missing (for example, how someone is reacting to problems). Then quickly test each option in the blank, eliminating any that clash with the sentence’s tone, logic, or subject–object relationship. Choose the word that fits both the meaning and the seriousness of the context, not just one that seems vaguely related on its own.
Hints
Look closely at the examples after the comma
Focus on the phrase "from equipment malfunctions to communication delays." Ask yourself: are these positive events or problems, and how would mission control typically relate to such things?
Think about mission control’s role
Mission control’s job is to manage and respond to what happens during space missions. Consider what kind of action toward challenges would make sense for people in that position.
Test each option in the sentence
Read the full sentence in your head with each answer choice in the blank. Which option makes the sentence sound logical and serious, given that it’s about unexpected problems?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation in the sentence
Read the whole sentence: it talks about "the early days of space exploration" and says that "mission control was constantly ______ unforeseen challenges, from equipment malfunctions to communication delays."
Mission control is responsible for managing space missions, and the examples after the comma (equipment problems and communication delays) are clearly difficulties, not good things.
Decide what kind of action makes sense
The blank describes what mission control was doing in relation to these challenges. Given their role, mission control would be actively dealing with these problems in some way, not passively letting them be. Also, the tone is serious and focused on obstacles, not on something positive like a party.
Eliminate choices that clearly don’t fit the meaning
Go through the answer choices:
- Ignoring: If mission control ignored challenges like malfunctions and delays, that would be irresponsible and unlikely in this context.
- Duplicating: Making copies of challenges does not make logical sense; you don’t “duplicate” challenges like malfunctions.
- Celebrating: These are problems, not achievements, so it would be strange to celebrate them.
All three of these clash with the idea of serious problems that must be handled.
Confirm the remaining option and its meaning
The remaining choice is “confronting.” To confront challenges means to face them directly and deal with them, which fits perfectly with mission control constantly dealing with unforeseen problems like equipment malfunctions and communication delays. So the correct answer is D) confronting.