Question 57·Hard·Words in Context
As part of her inaugural budget address, Governor Malik vowed to eradicate the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit within a single fiscal year. Fiscal analysts cautioned that the promise was _____: projected revenues continued to fall, and statutory caps prevented the swift spending cuts such an undertaking would demand.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words-in-Context questions, always read the full sentence (and sometimes the one before or after) to understand the situation and the author’s attitude before looking at the choices. Use key clues like contrast words, cause-and-effect, and punctuation (such as colons and dashes) to predict the general meaning and tone of the missing word. Then, treat the answer choices as if you are “plugging them in”: eliminate any that don’t match both the meaning and the tone signaled by the context, even if they are sophisticated vocabulary. Finally, choose the word that fits naturally and is fully supported by the details given, not just one that seems loosely related to the topic.
Hints
Focus on the clause after the colon
Look closely at what comes after the blank: it gives reasons about falling revenues and legal limits on spending cuts. Ask yourself: what do those reasons suggest about how realistic the governor’s promise is?
Consider the analysts’ attitude
The verb "cautioned" shows the analysts are warning about the promise, not praising it. Is their attitude positive, neutral, or critical? Your answer should match that attitude.
Check what kind of word is needed
The blank describes "the promise," so you need an adjective. Think about whether the sentence is saying the promise is careful and moderate, mostly for show, about cooperation, or something else that fits the warning and the reasons given.
Compare the connotations of the choices
Ask yourself what each option usually describes: for example, "symbolic" often refers to something mainly for appearance, and "measured" often describes something moderate or restrained. Which option best fits a warning that a bold financial promise clashes with the actual budget situation?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation and tone
First, read the whole sentence:
"As part of her inaugural budget address, Governor Malik vowed to eradicate the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit within a single fiscal year. Fiscal analysts cautioned that the promise was ____: projected revenues continued to fall, and statutory caps prevented the swift spending cuts such an undertaking would demand."
The governor makes a very bold promise: getting rid of a multibillion-dollar deficit in one year. The analysts cautioned (warned) about this promise. That warning suggests a critical or skeptical attitude, not praise.
Use the information after the colon
On the SAT, the part after a colon usually explains or supports the idea before it.
Here, after the blank you have: "projected revenues continued to fall, and statutory caps prevented the swift spending cuts such an undertaking would demand."
These are reasons the analysts give. They show that conditions in the state make the governor’s promise very hard or impossible to carry out. So the missing word should describe the promise as something that does not match reality, given those financial and legal limits.
Predict the general meaning and part of speech
The blank describes "the promise," so it must be an adjective.
From the context, we know:
- The analysts are warning about the promise.
- The reasons they give show it goes against the facts.
So the correct adjective must capture the idea that the promise is being criticized because it clashes with the real financial situation, not that it is careful, cooperative, or merely symbolic.
Test each answer choice against the context
Now check each option against the meaning we inferred:
- symbolic: means serving as a symbol or done mainly for show or representation. That would suggest the promise is mainly for appearance, but the analysts’ reasons focus on whether it can actually be carried out, not on whether it is just for show.
- synergistic: means involving synergy—parts working together so the combined effect is greater than each alone. Nothing in the sentence is about cooperation or combining forces.
- measured: means moderate, restrained, or carefully considered. The promise to erase a multibillion-dollar deficit in one year is the opposite of moderate; and the analysts are not praising it as careful.
The remaining option, “illusory,” means based on illusion, not real or not actually achievable. That fits perfectly with the analysts’ warning that, given falling revenues and legal caps, the promise cannot realistically be fulfilled. So the best choice is B) illusory.