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The mayor may yet succeed in resolving the city's long-simmering budge
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01 Sep 2026, 09:37
01 Sep 2026, 09:37
Expert Reply
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Question Stats:
80% (01:08) correct
20% (00:56) wrong based on 10 sessions
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The mayor may yet succeed in resolving the city's long-simmering budget standoff through genuine negotiation, but observers warn that what she may actually deliver is an exercise in prudence that, however reassuring it might appear to an anxious public, is at bottom entirely _______ -mere inaction dressed up as fiscal discipline.
| Blank (i) |
|---|
| A. onerous |
| B. cosmetic |
| C. ruinous | D. credible | E. substantial |
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Re: The mayor may yet succeed in resolving the city's long-simmering budge
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04 Sep 2026, 11:22
04 Sep 2026, 11:22
Expert Reply
Explanation
The clue is the phrase “mere inaction dressed up as fiscal discipline.” The sentence suggests that the mayor’s apparent prudence would only look reassuring while actually accomplishing nothing.
cosmetic = superficial; intended to improve appearance rather than substance
“entirely cosmetic” fits perfectly.
The other choices don’t fit the meaning:
onerous = burdensome
ruinous = causing serious damage
credible = believable
substantial = significant or considerable
Answer: B.
The clue is the phrase “mere inaction dressed up as fiscal discipline.” The sentence suggests that the mayor’s apparent prudence would only look reassuring while actually accomplishing nothing.
cosmetic = superficial; intended to improve appearance rather than substance
“entirely cosmetic” fits perfectly.
The other choices don’t fit the meaning:
onerous = burdensome
ruinous = causing serious damage
credible = believable
substantial = significant or considerable
Answer: B.
gmatclubot
Re: The mayor may yet succeed in resolving the city's long-simmering budge [#permalink]
04 Sep 2026, 11:22
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