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Hardly one to fault others, Thaddeus surprised his colleagues when he
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16 Sep 2025, 01:44
16 Sep 2025, 01:44
Expert Reply
00:00
Question Stats:
25% (01:08) correct
75% (00:24) wrong based on 4 sessions
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Hardly one to fault others, Thaddeus surprised his colleagues when he began _______ even their most trivial mistakes.
| Two Answers |
|---|
| A. caviling at |
| B. doting over |
| C. gloating at | D. take offense at | E. carping at |
| F. groveling at |
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Re: Hardly one to fault others, Thaddeus surprised his colleagues when he
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18 Sep 2025, 04:00
18 Sep 2025, 04:00
Expert Reply
The correct answers are A. caviling at and E. carping at.
Breakdown of the Blank
The sentence states that Thaddeus is "Hardly one to fault others," but then he "surprised his colleagues" by doing something to their "most trivial mistakes." The word "surprised" sets up a direct contrast. He is not someone who normally finds fault, but in this instance, he is doing so. The word in the blank must therefore mean to find fault or to complain about.
- A. caviling at: This means to make petty or unnecessary objections. This fits the context of finding fault with "trivial mistakes."
- E. carping at: This means to complain in a nagging or fault-finding way. This is a perfect synonym for "caviling at" and also fits the context of complaining about small errors.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:
- B. doting over: This is the opposite of finding fault; it means to be extremely fond of.
- C. gloating at: This means to dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or satisfaction. While he might be happy about their mistakes, the word doesn't specifically mean to complain about them.
- F. groveling at: This means to act obsequiously in order to obtain forgiveness or favor.
Breakdown of the Blank
The sentence states that Thaddeus is "Hardly one to fault others," but then he "surprised his colleagues" by doing something to their "most trivial mistakes." The word "surprised" sets up a direct contrast. He is not someone who normally finds fault, but in this instance, he is doing so. The word in the blank must therefore mean to find fault or to complain about.
- A. caviling at: This means to make petty or unnecessary objections. This fits the context of finding fault with "trivial mistakes."
- E. carping at: This means to complain in a nagging or fault-finding way. This is a perfect synonym for "caviling at" and also fits the context of complaining about small errors.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:
- B. doting over: This is the opposite of finding fault; it means to be extremely fond of.
- C. gloating at: This means to dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or satisfaction. While he might be happy about their mistakes, the word doesn't specifically mean to complain about them.
- F. groveling at: This means to act obsequiously in order to obtain forgiveness or favor.
gmatclubot
Re: Hardly one to fault others, Thaddeus surprised his colleagues when he [#permalink]
18 Sep 2025, 04:00
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