Directions: In each of the following questions there are three blank spaces.…
2023
Directions: In each of the following questions there are three blank spaces. Below each question there are some options and each option consist of three words which can be filled up in the blanks of the statement(s) to make the statement grammatically correct. Choose the correct alternative among the options given below.
In the face of the challenging situation, she took a _______________ approach, focusing on _____________ solutions rather than getting lost in _______________ theories.
- A.
opportunistic, pragmatic, viable
- B.
delusional, durable, historic
- C.
pragmatic, practical, idealistic
- D.
feasible, realistic, implemented
- E.
obstruse, inevitable, probable
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
Sentence-completion items test whether each word fits the sentence in two ways at once: it must be grammatically correct in its slot, and its meaning must agree with the logic the sentence sets up. Here the connector "rather than" signals a contrast, so the words before it must describe a down-to-earth, results-focused mindset, and the word after it must describe its opposite — something detached from real-world results.
Application
Reading the sentence's logic across the three blanks:
Blank 1 (approach): "In the face of the challenging situation" calls for a sensible, results-oriented attitude — a pragmatic approach, i.e. dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
Blank 2 (solutions): the focus is on solutions that actually work — practical solutions, which extends and reinforces the pragmatic mindset.
Blank 3 (theories): "rather than getting lost in ___ theories" must oppose the practical mindset — idealistic theories, i.e. theories based on ideals rather than what is achievable.
Filled in: "she took a pragmatic approach, focusing on practical solutions rather than getting lost in idealistic theories." Every slot is grammatically correct and the pragmatic → practical → (vs.) idealistic chain matches the contrast the sentence builds.
Cross-check (why the other sets fail)
opportunistic, pragmatic, viable — "opportunistic" carries a self-serving, take-advantage tone that clashes with a thoughtful response to a challenge, and "viable theories" is something you would pursue, not get "lost in", so the contrast breaks.
delusional, durable, historic — "delusional approach" is self-contradictory for someone handling a situation well, and "durable solutions / historic theories" do not fit the practical-vs-abstract contrast.
feasible, realistic, implemented — the first two words fit, but "getting lost in implemented theories" is ungrammatical/illogical: theories that are already implemented are not what one gets lost in instead of acting.
obstruse, inevitable, probable — "obstruse" is a misspelling of "abstruse", and "inevitable approach / probable theories" do not form the required contrast.