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Despite the study's indisputable theoretical importance, the research
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09 Feb 2024, 00:35
09 Feb 2024, 00:35
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28% (01:22) correct
72% (01:11) wrong based on 25 sessions
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Despite the study's indisputable theoretical importance, the research conducted was (i)_______ at best, and it is thus important to keep in mind that the results obtained are quite likely to be unsubstantiated, if not downright (ii)_______.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
|---|---|
| A. cursory | D. redacted |
| B. frivolous | E. specious |
| C. bogus | F. disingenuous |
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Re: Despite the study's indisputable theoretical importance, the research
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13 Feb 2024, 05:00
13 Feb 2024, 05:00
Expert Reply
OE
The detour roadsign "despite" indicates a contrast between the first phrase and the clause that follows. The sentence opens by saying that the study has "theoretical importance." The blanks describe the research itself and results of the study, respectively. Thus, the research and results must contrast with what would be expected from an important study. The results, specifically, are "unsubstantiated," meaning not supported by facts.
Predict the answer
Based on these clues, predict that the first blank will describe the research as "inadequate." For the second blank, the correct answer will be a word similar to but more extreme than "unsubstantiated."
Select the answer choices that most closely match your predictions
(A) cursory, meaning "hasty or superficial," matches the prediction and is the first correct answer. (B) frivolous, meaning either "lighthearted" or "unimportant," doesn't quite fit. Nothing speaks to the mood of the researchers as they conducted the study, and the research is important; the issue is that it was done in a careless way that did not produce valid results. (C) bogus means "false or intentionally faked," and nothing in the sentence indicates that the research was fabricated, so this choice is likewise incorrect.
(E) specious means "false" or "baseless," so it is the second correct answer. (F) disingenuous also can mean "false," but unlike specious, it implies deliberate trickery, which is not supported. (D) redacted means "edited" and implies the removal of information. The context of the sentence indicates that the results are based on inadequate information, not that information has been removed. Thus, (D) is also incorrect.
The detour roadsign "despite" indicates a contrast between the first phrase and the clause that follows. The sentence opens by saying that the study has "theoretical importance." The blanks describe the research itself and results of the study, respectively. Thus, the research and results must contrast with what would be expected from an important study. The results, specifically, are "unsubstantiated," meaning not supported by facts.
Predict the answer
Based on these clues, predict that the first blank will describe the research as "inadequate." For the second blank, the correct answer will be a word similar to but more extreme than "unsubstantiated."
Select the answer choices that most closely match your predictions
(A) cursory, meaning "hasty or superficial," matches the prediction and is the first correct answer. (B) frivolous, meaning either "lighthearted" or "unimportant," doesn't quite fit. Nothing speaks to the mood of the researchers as they conducted the study, and the research is important; the issue is that it was done in a careless way that did not produce valid results. (C) bogus means "false or intentionally faked," and nothing in the sentence indicates that the research was fabricated, so this choice is likewise incorrect.
(E) specious means "false" or "baseless," so it is the second correct answer. (F) disingenuous also can mean "false," but unlike specious, it implies deliberate trickery, which is not supported. (D) redacted means "edited" and implies the removal of information. The context of the sentence indicates that the results are based on inadequate information, not that information has been removed. Thus, (D) is also incorrect.
Despite the study's indisputable theoretical importance, the research
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14 Feb 2024, 20:47
14 Feb 2024, 20:47
2
The thought contrastor "despite" creates contrast between the expected seriousness and depth of the research and the actual reality which must have been non-serious or cursory or superficial. The word frivolous means lacking in seriousness or value, superficial and carefree. This could be tempting as the opposite of the serious research needed in the case of a subject of theoretical importance. But mathematically the opposite of importance would be cursory and also nobody would go as far as to indulge in frivolous research in a subject of importance. The choice bogus is completely out of the question.
And a cursory research will only produce superficial results which are specious in nature, that is, they look important, but are not really so. The phrase "if not" before the blank suggests a word that is stronger than unsubstantiated. Unsubstantiated means not supported by facts or evidence. Specious, which means having false appearance of truth or genuineness is stronger than unsubstantiated. The choice disingenuous suggests deliberate deception to mislead goes too far and is not the right answer. There is no evidence in the sentence to suggest such behavior. Hence we reject it. The word redacted means edited out for those not cleared to look into it and is not the right choice.
Hence correct choices are A and E
Interestingly the word specious shares the same Latin root with spectacles, inspector and introspect to name a few - spec. This root is present in words which involve seeing of some sort. And thus a specious argument is one that looks good but is truly in bad shape.
And a cursory research will only produce superficial results which are specious in nature, that is, they look important, but are not really so. The phrase "if not" before the blank suggests a word that is stronger than unsubstantiated. Unsubstantiated means not supported by facts or evidence. Specious, which means having false appearance of truth or genuineness is stronger than unsubstantiated. The choice disingenuous suggests deliberate deception to mislead goes too far and is not the right answer. There is no evidence in the sentence to suggest such behavior. Hence we reject it. The word redacted means edited out for those not cleared to look into it and is not the right choice.
Hence correct choices are A and E
Interestingly the word specious shares the same Latin root with spectacles, inspector and introspect to name a few - spec. This root is present in words which involve seeing of some sort. And thus a specious argument is one that looks good but is truly in bad shape.
