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Despite its veneer of pearly-toothed smiles and amicable handshakes, t
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15 Sep 2025, 09:35
15 Sep 2025, 09:35
Expert Reply
00:00
Question Stats:
50% (00:16) correct
50% (00:23) wrong based on 2 sessions
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Despite its veneer of pearly-toothed smiles and amicable handshakes, the world of politics is one of constant _______ in which everyone is always jockeying for a more estimable position.
| Two Answers |
|---|
| A. schmoozing |
| B. machinating |
| C. hobnobbing | D. scheming | E. muckraking |
| F. intermingling |
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Re: Despite its veneer of pearly-toothed smiles and amicable handshakes, t
[#permalink]
17 Sep 2025, 04:00
17 Sep 2025, 04:00
Expert Reply
The correct answers are B. machinating and D. scheming.
Breakdown of the Blank
The sentence describes the world of politics as having a "veneer of pearly-toothed smiles and amicable handshakes" but actually being a place of "constant $\qquad$ ." The contrast is between the outward appearance of friendliness and the reality of people "jockeying for a more estimable position." The word in the blank must describe this hidden, manipulative activity.
- Machinating: This means to engage in a plot or to scheme, especially a devious one. It perfectly fits the context of people secretly working to gain power and a better position.
- Scheming: This means to make secret and underhanded plans. It is a direct synonym for "machinating" and also perfectly describes the hidden, manipulative nature of political maneuvering.
The other options are incorrect because they describe different types of social interaction:
- A. schmoozing: This means to talk in a friendly, persuasive way, which is part of the "veneer," not the underlying reality.
- C. hobnobbing: This means to mix socially with those of higher social status.
- E. muckraking: This means to search for and expose misconduct.
- F. intermingling: This means to mix or mingle together.
Breakdown of the Blank
The sentence describes the world of politics as having a "veneer of pearly-toothed smiles and amicable handshakes" but actually being a place of "constant $\qquad$ ." The contrast is between the outward appearance of friendliness and the reality of people "jockeying for a more estimable position." The word in the blank must describe this hidden, manipulative activity.
- Machinating: This means to engage in a plot or to scheme, especially a devious one. It perfectly fits the context of people secretly working to gain power and a better position.
- Scheming: This means to make secret and underhanded plans. It is a direct synonym for "machinating" and also perfectly describes the hidden, manipulative nature of political maneuvering.
The other options are incorrect because they describe different types of social interaction:
- A. schmoozing: This means to talk in a friendly, persuasive way, which is part of the "veneer," not the underlying reality.
- C. hobnobbing: This means to mix socially with those of higher social status.
- E. muckraking: This means to search for and expose misconduct.
- F. intermingling: This means to mix or mingle together.
gmatclubot
Re: Despite its veneer of pearly-toothed smiles and amicable handshakes, t [#permalink]
17 Sep 2025, 04:00
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