https://www.gregmat.com/problems/verbal?problem=lowells-latest-ironically-titled-first-impressions
write your question here…in the blank 3 why cant it be tempered?
**He does not fight, still he’ll insult you at the slightest provocation. Notice how insult is not as strong as violence/fighting but it is negative enough. Insult basically is a slightly watered down version of the violence of fighting.
Similarly, B3 should be a slightly watered down version of polemic- it should be milder but still negative. Tempered is “a too much watered down” version of polemic. Tempered is neutral or positive when we need a negative enough word.