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The term "robber barons", which refers to those powerful business mogu
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11 Sep 2025, 04:51
11 Sep 2025, 04:51
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The term "robber barons", which refers to those powerful business moguls at the turn of the 19th Century, is hardly a(n) (i) _______ , despite some of these robber barons outward gestures of philanthropy. Infamous for their insatiable (ii) ________ , the robber barons were finally held in check by the ascendancy of a more powerful centralized government.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
|---|---|
| A. anachronism | D. braggadocio |
| B. misnomer | E. cupidity |
| C. provocation | F. truculence |
Re: The term "robber barons", which refers to those powerful business mogu
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03 Oct 2025, 01:22
03 Oct 2025, 01:22
Expert Reply
The sentence says the term "robber barons" is "hardly a(n) ________ , despite some of these robber barons outward gestures of philanthropy."
- The term "robber barons" is inherently critical, implying they are thieves ("robbers").
- The second clause introduces a contrast: "outward gestures of philanthropy" (charity).
- The entire phrase means that even though they occasionally did good things (philanthropy), the negative term "robber barons" is still appropriate or accurate.
We need a word that, when negated ("hardly a(n) "), means the term is appropriate.
- A. anachronism: Something out of its proper historical time. The term describes people in their proper time, so this doesn't fit the context of its accuracy.
- B. misnomer: An unsuitable or misleading name. If the term is hardly a misnomer, it means the name is accurate. This fits the contrast perfectly, as the philanthropy might suggest the name is misleading, but the sentence insists it isn't.
- C. provocation: An action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry. This doesn't relate to the accuracy of a name.
The best fit for (i) is misnomer.
Analysis of Blank (ii)
The second sentence provides the reason the term is accurate: "Infamous for their insatiable
(ii) ________ , the robber barons were finally held in check..."
- The "robbers" part of the term suggests an insatiable desire to take wealth.
- The blank must be a noun meaning excessive desire or greed for wealth.
- D. braggadocio: Boastful or arrogant behavior. While they may have been arrogant, the primary characteristic of "robber barons" relates to their acquisition of wealth, not just boasting.
- E. cupidity: Greed for money or possessions. This is a perfect fit, directly matching the "robbers" nature and their insatiable quality.
- F. truculence: Eagerness or quickness to fight or argue; aggressively defiant. This focuses on hostility, not necessarily wealth accumulation.
The best fit for (ii) is cupidity.
Final Answer
The completed sentence is:
The term "robber barons", which refers to those powerful business moguls at the turn of the 19th Century, is hardly a misnomer (i), despite some of these robber barons outward gestures of philanthropy. Infamous for their insatiable cupidity (ii), the robber barons were finally held in check by the ascendancy of a more powerful centralized government.
Blank (i): B. misnomer
Blank (ii): E. cupidity
- The term "robber barons" is inherently critical, implying they are thieves ("robbers").
- The second clause introduces a contrast: "outward gestures of philanthropy" (charity).
- The entire phrase means that even though they occasionally did good things (philanthropy), the negative term "robber barons" is still appropriate or accurate.
We need a word that, when negated ("hardly a(n) "), means the term is appropriate.
- A. anachronism: Something out of its proper historical time. The term describes people in their proper time, so this doesn't fit the context of its accuracy.
- B. misnomer: An unsuitable or misleading name. If the term is hardly a misnomer, it means the name is accurate. This fits the contrast perfectly, as the philanthropy might suggest the name is misleading, but the sentence insists it isn't.
- C. provocation: An action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry. This doesn't relate to the accuracy of a name.
The best fit for (i) is misnomer.
Analysis of Blank (ii)
The second sentence provides the reason the term is accurate: "Infamous for their insatiable
(ii) ________ , the robber barons were finally held in check..."
- The "robbers" part of the term suggests an insatiable desire to take wealth.
- The blank must be a noun meaning excessive desire or greed for wealth.
- D. braggadocio: Boastful or arrogant behavior. While they may have been arrogant, the primary characteristic of "robber barons" relates to their acquisition of wealth, not just boasting.
- E. cupidity: Greed for money or possessions. This is a perfect fit, directly matching the "robbers" nature and their insatiable quality.
- F. truculence: Eagerness or quickness to fight or argue; aggressively defiant. This focuses on hostility, not necessarily wealth accumulation.
The best fit for (ii) is cupidity.
Final Answer
The completed sentence is:
The term "robber barons", which refers to those powerful business moguls at the turn of the 19th Century, is hardly a misnomer (i), despite some of these robber barons outward gestures of philanthropy. Infamous for their insatiable cupidity (ii), the robber barons were finally held in check by the ascendancy of a more powerful centralized government.
Blank (i): B. misnomer
Blank (ii): E. cupidity
gmatclubot
Re: The term "robber barons", which refers to those powerful business mogu [#permalink]
03 Oct 2025, 01:22
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