Directions : In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been…
2024
Directions : In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been denoted by letters. For each blank, three words are suggested. Following the words, five options are given. Choose the most appropriate set of words from the options that fits the blank appropriately.
The recruitment landscape in Europe has evolved significantly, driven by globalization and the proliferation of sophisticated technologies. Employers increasingly prioritize processes that are ______________(A) (A: (I) equitable, (II) antiquated, (III) rational) to attract a wider talent pool. Moreover, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed candidate screening, making it more ______________(B) (B: (I) incisive, (II) haphazard, (III) perfunctory). However, despite these advancements, recruiters face challenges in ensuring their hiring practices remain ______________(C) (C: (I) capricious, (II) myopic, (III) scrupulous).
Diversity and inclusion have also emerged as crucial factors, compelling organizations to adopt ______________(D) (D: (I) incongruous, (II) synergistic, (III) symbiotic) strategies to foster a collaborative workplace culture. Furthermore, navigating Europe's stringent labor laws requires companies to remain ______________(E) (E: (I) recalcitrant, (II) compliant, (III) apathetic) in their operations. Even so, the ever-growing competition for skilled professionals has made the recruitment process increasingly ______________(F) (F: (I) onerous, (II) relinquishing, (III) demanding).
Which of the following words will fit in the given blank (B)?
- A.
Both (II) and (III)
- B.
Only (III)
- C.
Both (I) and (III)
- D.
Only (I)
- E.
Both (I) and (II)
Attempted by 2 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Sentence-completion in a cloze passage is solved by matching the connotation (positive / neutral / negative) and precise sense of each candidate word to the tone the surrounding clause sets. A clause describing an improvement or upgrade demands a word with a favourable, fitting connotation; words carrying a negative or contradictory sense are ruled out even when grammatically possible.
Application
Blank (B) sits in: “the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed candidate screening, making it more ______.” The verb “transformed” frames AI’s effect as a marked improvement, so the blank needs a word that praises the screening as sharper and more effective.
incisive – sharp, penetrating, getting straight to the point. It positively describes screening that AI has made keener and more precise, so it fits the improving tone.
haphazard – random, disorganised, hit-or-miss. A negative quality that contradicts the idea of AI improving the process.
perfunctory – done with minimal care, superficial, merely to fulfil a routine. Also negative, the opposite of a process being upgraded.
Only incisive carries the favourable, precise sense the clause needs to describe screening AI has improved, so it is the word that fits blank (B).
Cross-check
Reading the completed clause — “AI has transformed candidate screening, making it more incisive” — is coherent and complimentary. Substituting “haphazard” or “perfunctory” would say AI made screening worse, which clashes with “transformed,” confirming that exactly one of the three suggested words works.