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If he had not had the _______ to follow his own iconoclastic theories
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11 Mar 2026, 00:52
11 Mar 2026, 00:52
Expert Reply
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Question Stats:
74% (00:47) correct
25% (01:04) wrong based on 31 sessions
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If he had not had the _______ to follow his own iconoclastic theories in the face of the apparently unassailable conclusion of the accepted experts in the field, progress would have been inestimably slower in this area of knowledge.
| Two Answers |
|---|
| A. incentive |
| B. audacity |
| C. temerity | D. incapacity | E. unwillingness |
| F. wisdom |
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Re: If he had not had the _______ to follow his own iconoclastic theories
[#permalink]
20 Mar 2026, 09:24
20 Mar 2026, 09:24
Expert Reply
Analysis
The sentence suggests that the individual took a significant risk by going against the grain of accepted knowledge. We need a pair of synonyms that describe boldness, nerve, or a reckless lack of fear.
- B. audacity: A willingness to take bold risks; also, rude or disrespectful behavior (impudence).
- C. temerity: Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
Why the others don't fit:
- A. incentive: This is a motivation or "carrot" to do something. While he might have had an incentive, it doesn't capture the rebellious nature of fighting "unassailable" experts.
- D. incapacity: This means the inability to do something, which would have hindered progress rather than helped it.
- E. unwillingness: Reluctance to do something; if he were unwilling to follow his theories, progress would not have been made.
- F. wisdom: While his theories turned out to be right (leading to progress), "wisdom" doesn't specifically describe the nerve required to defy the entire field of experts. "Audacity" and "temerity" are more precise synonyms in this context.
Answer Key
- B. audacity
- C. temerity
The sentence suggests that the individual took a significant risk by going against the grain of accepted knowledge. We need a pair of synonyms that describe boldness, nerve, or a reckless lack of fear.
- B. audacity: A willingness to take bold risks; also, rude or disrespectful behavior (impudence).
- C. temerity: Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
Why the others don't fit:
- A. incentive: This is a motivation or "carrot" to do something. While he might have had an incentive, it doesn't capture the rebellious nature of fighting "unassailable" experts.
- D. incapacity: This means the inability to do something, which would have hindered progress rather than helped it.
- E. unwillingness: Reluctance to do something; if he were unwilling to follow his theories, progress would not have been made.
- F. wisdom: While his theories turned out to be right (leading to progress), "wisdom" doesn't specifically describe the nerve required to defy the entire field of experts. "Audacity" and "temerity" are more precise synonyms in this context.
Answer Key
- B. audacity
- C. temerity
gmatclubot
Re: If he had not had the _______ to follow his own iconoclastic theories [#permalink]
20 Mar 2026, 09:24
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