Original post has wrong answers. Right ones are "Aggrandize" & "Lionize".Official explanation from MGREThe person described by this sentence has a “tendency toward egoism.” This tendency is reinforced by the way people around him treat him. We cannot be sure what will fill the blank as several types of behavior might reinforce egoism. Two options for filler words are “praise” and “act subservient toward.”
(A) Coddle is defined as “to treat in an indulgent way” and fits with what we are looking for.
(B) Excoriate means “to criticize” and is opposite in tone to our fillers.
(C) CORRECT. Aggrandize means “to enhance beyond what is justified” and works in the sentence.
(D) Impugn means “to challenge” and is not logical in the sentence.
(E) CORRECT. Lionize means “to treat as one of great importance” and is a logical fit in the sentence.
(F) Ostracize, “to cast out,” does not make sense here.
Choice (A) on its own fits very well in this sentence, but the two correct answer choices are the only logical options that provide the sentence with similar meaning. Choices (B), (D), and (F) would give the sentence relatively similar meaning but they are each actions that would be expected to lessen “egoism” rather than reinforce it.
cbdscolin wrote:
His tendency toward egoism was reinforced by his decision to only associate with those who would __________ him.
Two Answers |
coddle |
excoriate |
aggrandize |
impugn |
lionize |
ostracize |