There are two blanks, (I) and (II), in each of the following questions. Also…
2025
There are two blanks, (I) and (II), in each of the following questions. Also given below each question are two sets (columns) of words, corresponding to each blank. Identify and select from each set of words given, the word that best fills the corresponding blank. You must select the words corresponding to both the blanks.
There are two blanks in each of the following questions. From the pair of words given below the sentence, choose the pair that fills the blanks most appropriately
The initial days of the 2008 recession, the top managements of many companies seemed to be in collective _________________ speaking _________________ about the growth and profits of the previous years while doing precious little to improve service and efficiency levels and adapt to the changed economic conditions.
- A.
daze...eloquently
- B.
reverie. .. wistfully
- C.
melancholy. . . remorsefully
- D.
trance.. candidly
Attempted by 284 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation:
The best pair is reverie for the first blank and wistfully for the second blank.
First blank — reverie: “Reverie” means a state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts (a daydream). “Collective reverie” appropriately describes top management reminiscing about past growth instead of taking action.
Second blank — wistfully: “Wistfully” means with longing or yearning. “Speaking wistfully about the growth and profits” matches the tone of nostalgic longing implied by the sentence.
Why the other choices are less suitable:
daze ... eloquently: “Daze” implies stunned bewilderment; pairing it with “eloquently” (speaking fluently and persuasively) is inconsistent with the passive, dreamy inaction described.
melancholy ... remorsefully: “Melancholy” is sadness and “remorsefully” expresses regret for wrongdoing. The sentence implies nostalgic daydreaming about past success, not sadness or regret, so this pair is off target.
trance ... candidly: “Trance” denotes a deeper, half‑conscious state rather than a light daydream, and “candidly” means speaking honestly or openly. Together they do not convey the wistful, nostalgic tone needed.
Conclusion: The sentence is best completed as “collective reverie speaking wistfully about the growth and profits,” so reverie ... wistfully is the correct choice.