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The courtiers of the time had to be ________ in order
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08 Feb 2026, 15:17
08 Feb 2026, 15:17
Expert Reply
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Question Stats:
10% (00:48) correct
90% (00:54) wrong based on 20 sessions
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The courtiers of the time had to be ________ in order to survive in an atmosphere where the least sign of rebellion could lead to banishment or worse.
| Two Answers |
|---|
| A. taciturn |
| B. fawning |
| C. docile | D. self-serving | E. upright |
| F. servile |
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Re: The courtiers of the time had to be ________ in order
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13 Feb 2026, 05:00
13 Feb 2026, 05:00
Expert Reply
The correct choices are B. fawning and F. servile.
The Logic Breakdown
- The Clue: The courtiers are in an atmosphere where even the "least sign of rebellion" is punished by "banishment or worse."
- The Strategy: To avoid any hint of rebellion, one must act in a way that is the complete opposite of rebellious. This means being excessively submissive, flattering, or slave-like in behavior.
- The Matches:
- Fawning (B): Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection; obsequious. A courtier who fawns ensures the monarch never suspects them of rebellion.
- Servile (F): Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others. It shares the same "submissive" root as the word servant.
Why the others fail:
- Taciturn (A): This means reserved or saying little. While a courtier might be quiet to avoid trouble, "taciturn" doesn't necessarily mean they are submissive; a rebel can also be quiet.
- Docile (C): This means ready to accept control or instruction; submissive. While "docile" fits the context, it does not have a synonym partner in the list. On the GRE, Fawning and Servile are much stronger synonyms for "excessively submissive."
- Self-serving (D): While courtiers were often selfish, the sentence is about survival through lack of rebellion, not their personal greed.
- Upright (E): This means honorable or honest. In a dangerous, paranoid court, being "upright" might actually get you banished faster.
The Logic Breakdown
- The Clue: The courtiers are in an atmosphere where even the "least sign of rebellion" is punished by "banishment or worse."
- The Strategy: To avoid any hint of rebellion, one must act in a way that is the complete opposite of rebellious. This means being excessively submissive, flattering, or slave-like in behavior.
- The Matches:
- Fawning (B): Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection; obsequious. A courtier who fawns ensures the monarch never suspects them of rebellion.
- Servile (F): Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others. It shares the same "submissive" root as the word servant.
Why the others fail:
- Taciturn (A): This means reserved or saying little. While a courtier might be quiet to avoid trouble, "taciturn" doesn't necessarily mean they are submissive; a rebel can also be quiet.
- Docile (C): This means ready to accept control or instruction; submissive. While "docile" fits the context, it does not have a synonym partner in the list. On the GRE, Fawning and Servile are much stronger synonyms for "excessively submissive."
- Self-serving (D): While courtiers were often selfish, the sentence is about survival through lack of rebellion, not their personal greed.
- Upright (E): This means honorable or honest. In a dangerous, paranoid court, being "upright" might actually get you banished faster.
gmatclubot
Re: The courtiers of the time had to be ________ in order [#permalink]
13 Feb 2026, 05:00
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