Re: The judge admonished the counsel to keep closing arguments
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04 Oct 2025, 00:44
Breakdown of the Blank
The judge's instruction (admonishment) to the counsel is explained by the desired action: "refrain from citing evidence tangential to the proceedings."
- "Tangential" means irrelevant or only slightly related.
- "Refrain from citing tangential evidence" means the counsel should only cite evidence that is relevant, related, or central to the case.
Therefore, the closing arguments must be relevant, appropriate, or on-topic.
- A. brief: Short. While judges often want arguments to be short, the reason given in the sentence is about relevance ("tangential evidence"), not length.
- B. impartial: Treating all rivals equally; unbiased. This relates to fairness, not relevance to the evidence.
- C. germane: Relevant to the subject under consideration; appropriate. This is a perfect fit, directly contrasting with "tangential."
- D. unbiased: Free from prejudice; impartial. This is a synonym for (B) and relates to fairness, not relevance.
- E. pertinent: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite. This is a perfect synonym for (C) and directly contrasts with "tangential."
- F. insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect. This describes manner, not content.
The two words that mean relevant and complete the sentence logically are germane and pertinent.
The correct choices are $\(\mathbf{C}\)$. germane and $\(\mathbf{E}\)$. pertinent.