OE


Let’s take it apart piece by piece. We’ll start with the third blank, because there’s a nice clue and transition close by. We know that the investments collapse, which means that there was something wrong with the investments. However, before that clue we have the transition even seemingly, which tells us that although the investments were bad, they didn’t seem so bad. We could describe our investments that seemed like they weren’t bad with the word “safe.” Now look at the answers for Blank (iii). Solid matches “safe,” because a solid investment is definitely a safe investment, so put a check mark next to (G). For (H), tenuous doesn’t match “safe,” so cross it off (or put a question mark next to it if you don’t know what tenuous means). For (I), unstable definitely doesn’t match “safe,” so cross it off. You have only (G) left, so click on the first word for Blank (iii), solid. Let’s try Blank (i) next, because it also has a nice clue for the blank. What’s the sentence tell us about economic policies? That they are purely reactionary. Let’s “recycle” the clue for the first blank, and write down “reactions.” Cross off (A) and (C), leaving (B), responses to. Now it’s time for the middle blank. Most of the work is done at this point, and we now have a much better idea of what this paragraph is about. Blank (ii) is a bit tougher, but there is a clue hiding in the paragraph. What does the paragraph tell us about management of the current boom? Well, we know the author thinks that financial policy should foster upturns, so we want “helpful” management. (D), prudent, means careful, which basically matches our word. (E) and (F) don’t, so cross them both off. Our answers are responses to, prudent, and solid.