OFFICIAL EXPLANATION


Steadfast, unwavering.

A person who is "equivocal in making decisions" is uncertain; he keeps changing his mind or not making a final decision. The phrase "Though often" in this sentence indicates that the blank will contrast with "equivocal." In addition, the nouns "resolve," which means firm determination or decision, and "verdict," a decision or judgment, reinforce the idea that the blank should be something like definite. The two answers that best match are "steadfast" and "unwavering," which are synonyms meaning resolute or not wavering. "Vague" means uncertain or indefinite and "vacillating" means wavering or alternating between different options. These form an answer pair, but one that is the opposite of what the blank requires. "Apprehensive" is similar to, though not exactly a synonym of, "vague" or "vacillating": someone who is fearful that something bad will happen might hesitate to make a decision, but not necessarily. "Critical" doesn't directly address the question of decisiveness implied by the sentence, and has a negative connotation not supported by the sentence.