Re: Although he was finally (i) _______ , the years of (ii)
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08 Feb 2026, 08:57
The correct choices are (B) vindicated, (F) suspicion, and (H) deranged.
The Logic Breakdown
Blank (i): The sentence begins with "Although," which signals a contrast between the first blank and the rest of the sentence. Since the rest of the sentence describes his life being ruined (negative), the first blank must be a positive resolution.
- Incriminated (A) is negative (it means to make someone appear guilty).
- Acclaimed (C) means praised, but it doesn't fit the context of someone whose life was "torn apart" by a specific legal or social ordeal.
- Vindicated (B) means cleared of blame or suspicion. This fits perfectly with the idea of a long-awaited resolution to a period of hardship.
Blank (ii): We need a word that explains why his social circle was torn apart and his health ruined.
- Dedication (D) is usually positive and wouldn't "tear apart" a social circle.
- Self-doubt (E) is an internal struggle, but "tearing apart a social circle" usually implies an external pressure.
- Suspicion (F) is the logical cause. If everyone in a community suspects a man of a crime for years, his friends will leave him and the stress will ruin his health.
Blank (iii): This blank must match the destructive tone of "tore apart" and "ruined."
- Sharpened (G) and Mellowed (I) are generally positive or neutral developments.
- Deranged (H) means to cause someone to become insane or to throw into confusion/disorder. This is the only word that completes the "list of destruction" (social circle → health → mind).
The "Although" Pivot
The structure is: Although [Positive Event], [Negative Process] + [Negative Result 1] + [Negative Result 2] + [Negative Result 3].
The "years of suspicion" (the process) were so powerful that even being "finally vindicated" (the positive event) couldn't fix the damage done to his mind and life.