Question

Political predictions generally prove fairly accurate when the presumption that the future will be similar to the past is (i)____________ . In periods with substantial (ii)____________ in the political world, however, predictions can be (iii)____________ wrong. Blank (i) a. disproved b. stipulated c. fulfilled Blank (ii) a. upswings b. insurgencies c. changes Blank (iii) a. thoughtfully b. perilously c. carelessly

Short answer

Blank (i): fulfilled, Blank (ii): changes, Blank (iii): perilously

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Sentence

The sentence talks about the accuracy of political predictions. It suggests that these predictions are accurate when the future resembles the past but can be wrong when there are significant 'changes' in the political world.

Filling Blank (i)

For the first blank, the word that fits the sense of the sentence is 'fulfilled'. It means that the condition (future is similar to the past) is met. So, predictions are accurate when this condition is 'fulfilled'.

Filling Blank (ii)

Moving to the second blank, out of the options, the word that best fits is 'changes'. 'Upswings' and 'insurgencies' are too specific and don't cover all possible variations in the political world.

Filling Blank (iii)

For the last blank, the word that best matches the context is 'perilously'. It suggests a significant degree of risk or danger, which aligns well with the concept of predictions becoming wrong.