OE


inadequate, distress, and a commensurate

The first blank is an easy place to start, and refers to what Laura thought her qualifications might be considered. The clue for the first blank is lack of experience, so recycle “lacking” as a word for the first blank. Choices (A) and (C) can be eliminated, because they don’t match “lacking,” so the correct answer for the first blank is inadequate. Now look at the third blank, which refers to the type of salary that Laura is willing to accept. The clue for the third blank is lack of experience. The words made up for indicate a transition. Since the question centers on how Laura… might be considered, the contrast applies to how the company would feel about hiring Laura, and a lack of experience is negative, so the type of Salary that would be considered positive is a “low” one, so use that as a word for the third blank. While none of the choices for the third blank match “low,” (I), an opulent, can be eliminated as the opposite of “low.” Choice (G), a peremptory, indicates an urgent or arrogant salary, which cannot be a match for “low,” so eliminate (G). Choice (H), a commensurate, indicates a matching salary, which can agree with lack of experience to mean a low salary, so the correct answer for the third blank is (H), a commensurate. Now look at the second blank, which refers to something financial… the company was facing. The clue for the second blank is considered inadequate. The transition words before… however indicate that Laura’s lack of experience might not be considered inadequate. A financial situation a company is facing which might make a lack of experience less of a problem is “trouble,” so use that as a word for the second blank. Choices (E) and (F) can be eliminated because they don’t match “trouble,” so the correct answer for the second blank is (D), distress. The correct answer is (B), (D), and (H).