OE

diffidently, brazenness, and kudos


The second blank is an easy place to start, and refers to the kind of accusations the young researcher… wanted to avoid. The clue for the second blank is confidence in her theories. The transition word despite indicates that the researcher wanted to avoid accusations of “unsupported conclusions,” so use that as a phrase for that second blank. None of the choices match “unsupported conclusions,” but (E) and (F) can be eliminated because they indicate ill-intent and submission, neither of which can be used to match “unsupported conclusions.” Choice (D), brazenness, can match “unsupported conclusions,” since the researcher’s conclusions contradicted established knowledge, so the correct answer for the second blank is (D), brazenness. Now look at the third blank, which refers to something the researcher would be due. The clue for the third blank is forgo recognition. The transition words for the time being and once indicate the word for the blank will match the clue, so recycle “recognition” as a word for the third blank. Choice (I), diligence, can be eliminated because it doesn’t match “recognition.” While compensation can be a form of “recognition,” it does not directly mean recognition, so eliminate (G), and the correct answer for the third blank is (H), kudos. Now look at the first blank, which refers to how the young researcher… stated her findings. As the researcher wanted to avoid accusations of unsupported conclusions, and was not seeking recognition, use “humbly” as a word for the first blank. Both (A), eruditely, which means scholarly, and also (B) can be eliminated, as they do not match “humbly.” The correct answer for the first blank is (C), diffidently. The correct answer is (C), (D), and (H).