Blank (i)

The sentence describes negotiations that "dragged on through three fiscal quarters" with an "impasse." The word "yet" signals that despite the prolonged stalemate, the negotiator "proved utterly (i) ______ ." The phrase "matched only by" indicates the airline's counsel was equally so. A prolonged impasse requires both sides to be stubborn, inflexible, or refusing to compromise. The blank must mean stubbornly refusing to yield; inflexible.
- A. irresolute - Wavering, indecisive, unsure. An irresolute negotiator would concede or change position, ending the impasse rather than sustaining it. Incorrect.
- B. obdurate - Stubbornly refusing to change one's position; unyielding. "Utterly obdurate" perfectly captures the rigid stance that prolongs a stalemate. Correct.
- C. conciliatory - Appeasing, peacemaking, intended to reconcile. A conciliatory negotiator would resolve the impasse, not sustain it through three quarters. Incorrect.

Blank (ii)

The airline's lead counsel "was every bit as (ii) _______ ." The phrase "every bit as" signals exact parity with the negotiator's obduracy. The blank must mean equally inflexible, equally stubborn, equally unwilling to compromise.
- D. malleable - Easily shaped, pliable, adaptable. A malleable counsel would yield, not match obduracy. Incorrect.
- E. truculent - Aggressive, belligerent, eager to fight. Describes combativeness, not inflexibility. A truculent person seeks conflict; an unyielding person simply refuses to move. The impasse requires the latter. Incorrect.
- F. unyielding - Inflexible, not giving way, refusing to compromise. "Every bit as unyielding" perfectly matches "utterly obdurate." Correct.