Re: Psychologists now believe that the likeliest sources of procrastinatio
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05 Jul 2025, 04:00
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The road sign "not [this], but [that]" in the first part of the sentence tells us that we need to fill'the first blank with a word' that is roughly synonymous with "sources"; the sentence lists two sets of sources, one incorrect and one correct. Choice (C) culprits means "those responsible for a fault" and fits this context by personifying the causes of procrastination. This is the correct answer. Choice (A) hedges means "evasions" or "excuses," which might be offered by procrastinators, but it is not synonymous with "sources," so it is incorrect. Choice (B) fixtures are "features so common to a situation that they are expected to be present." Fixtures is not a synonym for "sources," so this choice is also incorrect.
The second blank asks for a word that describes a person "facing a daunting task" who is likely to procrastinate rather than starting right away. Choice (E) diffidently means "reluctantly" or "lacking confidence" and describes a person in this situation, so this is the correct response. Choice (D) adeptly, which means "capably" or "ably," is not supported by the sentence's context, which describes a situation in which failure seems more likely than success. Hence, choice (D) is incorrect. Choice (F) collaboratively means "acting in coordinated effort with others"; the sentence does not suggest that a person should face a daunting task with others, so this choice is also incorrect.
The correct answers are (C) and (E).