So, I was doing some exercises from the ETS verbal book, I’ve attached the question below/above. The answer to the second blank was Tepid, but I answered it as inviting. The main reason being that Tepid has two separate meanings- something lukewarm and an unenthusiastic crowd. Because of the conflicting synonyms, I chose the third option “Inviting” as it felt more apt in that blank.
So, how do I go about solving such questions with rather conflicting synonyms
Hi @Vjdeep
You just have to stick with the context in order to choose the right option. In my opinion, the 2nd blank is expected to be something ‘dull/ lacking energy’ because other aspects of the performance were great and the sentence has a ‘but’ which means you have to find something in contrast. Also you can look at “given the energy the players were putting into it” to get the contrast. Hence something lukewarm is my guess while looking at the answer choices.
I would also suggest you to not think from this perspective that just because a word has two meanings then it cannot be the answer. It will do you more harm than good.
All the best!
Jeet
ahh, that makes sense. Thanks
