Question 76·Easy·Words in Context
In response to growing criticism, the company announced a new set of environmental goals intended to ______ its commitment to sustainability.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words in Context questions, first read the sentence carefully and ignore the answer choices. Paraphrase what the blank should mean using simple language that fits the situation and tone (positive, negative, neutral). Then, check each option against your paraphrase and the context, eliminating any choices that clash with the sentence’s logic or tone, even if they seem like “good” vocabulary words. Finally, choose the word whose meaning and connotation most precisely match your paraphrase.
Hints
Focus on the purpose of the new goals
Think about why the company is announcing a new set of environmental goals. How are these goals supposed to respond to the "growing criticism"?
Paraphrase the blank in your own words
Before looking closely at the answer choices, try to say in your own words what the goals are intended to do to the company's commitment to sustainability.
Check for positive vs. negative meanings
Is the company likely trying to make its commitment look better or worse in response to criticism? Eliminate any options whose meanings would make the company look less responsive or less clear about its commitment.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation in the sentence
Read the sentence without the blank: "In response to growing criticism, the company announced a new set of environmental goals intended to ______ its commitment to sustainability."
The company is being criticized and is responding by announcing new environmental goals. That means the purpose of these goals is likely to address the criticism in a positive way.
Paraphrase what should go in the blank
Ask yourself: What are these goals supposed to do to the company's commitment to sustainability?
In your own words, you might think: "The goals are meant to show more clearly, or strengthen, or show again the company's commitment to sustainability." So you are looking for a word that fits this positive, supportive idea.
Check the tone and logic of each option
Now look at each answer choice and see if it logically matches the idea of responding to criticism in a positive way.
- A word that means "hide" the commitment would contradict the idea of responding constructively.
- A word that means "make more confusing" also wouldn't make sense as a response to criticism.
- A word that means "delay" the commitment would suggest not taking action, which clashes with the idea of announcing new goals. Only one word fits the idea of positively showing or strengthening the company's existing commitment.
Select the word that matches your paraphrase
The only option that means to confirm or show again an existing commitment is C) reaffirm, so that is the most logical and precise completion of the sentence.