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Unwilling to admit that they had been in error, the researchers tried
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23 Feb 2026, 00:52
23 Feb 2026, 00:52
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Question Stats:
57% (00:30) correct
42% (00:39) wrong based on 38 sessions
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Unwilling to admit that they had been in error, the researchers tried to ________ their case with more data obtained from dubious sources.
| Blank (i) |
|---|
| A. ascertain |
| B. buttress |
| C. refute | D. absolve | E. dispute |
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Re: Unwilling to admit that they had been in error, the researchers tried
[#permalink]
01 Mar 2026, 23:28
01 Mar 2026, 23:28
Expert Reply
The Logic: The "Self-Defense" Clue
The sentence sets up a specific psychological motivation:
- The Conflict: The researchers "had been in error" (they were wrong).
- The Reaction: They were "unwilling to admit" it.
- The Action: To avoid admitting they were wrong, they used more data (even from "dubious" or suspicious sources) to support or strengthen their original position.
- The Goal: We need a word that means to support, reinforce, or strengthen an argument.
The Correct Answer:
B. buttress
- Why it works: To buttress means to provide with physical or moral support. In an academic or legal context, it specifically refers to strengthening an argument with evidence or facts. Even if the data is "dubious," the researchers are using it to prop up their failing case.
Why the others fail:
- A. ascertain: This means to find something out for certain. You don't "ascertain" a case; you ascertain facts or the truth.
- C. refute: This means to prove a statement or theory to be wrong. This is the opposite of what someone "unwilling to admit error" would do.
- D. absolve: This means to declare someone free from guilt or responsibility. While they might want to be "absolved" of their mistake, you don't "absolve a case."
- E. dispute: This means to argue against something. The researchers are trying to defend their case, not argue against it.
The sentence sets up a specific psychological motivation:
- The Conflict: The researchers "had been in error" (they were wrong).
- The Reaction: They were "unwilling to admit" it.
- The Action: To avoid admitting they were wrong, they used more data (even from "dubious" or suspicious sources) to support or strengthen their original position.
- The Goal: We need a word that means to support, reinforce, or strengthen an argument.
The Correct Answer:
B. buttress
- Why it works: To buttress means to provide with physical or moral support. In an academic or legal context, it specifically refers to strengthening an argument with evidence or facts. Even if the data is "dubious," the researchers are using it to prop up their failing case.
Why the others fail:
- A. ascertain: This means to find something out for certain. You don't "ascertain" a case; you ascertain facts or the truth.
- C. refute: This means to prove a statement or theory to be wrong. This is the opposite of what someone "unwilling to admit error" would do.
- D. absolve: This means to declare someone free from guilt or responsibility. While they might want to be "absolved" of their mistake, you don't "absolve a case."
- E. dispute: This means to argue against something. The researchers are trying to defend their case, not argue against it.
gmatclubot
Re: Unwilling to admit that they had been in error, the researchers tried [#permalink]
01 Mar 2026, 23:28
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