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.

Key concepts

Political Predictions

Political predictions play a crucial role in understanding how future events may unfold based on current and past trends. They rely heavily on the assumption that historical patterns will continue into the future. This is often true under stable conditions. When the political landscape remains similar to what it has been, there is a tendency for predictions to be more accurate.
However, the world of politics is dynamic and can be full of surprises. In times when the political environment undergoes significant transformations, like major regime changes or global crises, predictions can become less reliable.
These unexpected changes mean that the old patterns no longer apply, and thus, predictions can be perilously incorrect. It showcases the inherent challenge of making political predictions in a rapidly evolving world.

Sentence Completion Strategy

Sentence completion questions on tests like the GRE are designed to evaluate your ability to synthesize information and understand context. Strategic approaches are essential.
First, it’s important to read the sentence carefully and understand the general theme. Identify any cues within the sentence that guide you towards the correct answers. For instance, words like 'when' and 'however' signal contrast or a condition.
Breaking the sentence into digestible parts allows you to focus on each blank independently while considering the overall context. Look for clues that help you predict what type of word should fill each blank. In the given sentence, understanding that predictions are reliable in stable times but not in volatile times helps guide your choices.
It's also useful to eliminate options by understanding their meanings. Often some choices will seem out of context or too specific, which can help narrow down your choices.

Word Choice Analysis

Choosing the right words in sentence equivalence questions involves analyzing the meaning and grammatical role each option plays.
Each word choice must fit not just the syntax of the sentence, but also the logical flow and tone. For instance, the word 'fulfilled' is selected over 'disproved' or 'stipulated' because it means a condition is met. This aligns with the idea that predictions are accurate when past patterns continue.
The choice of 'changes' over 'upswings' or 'insurgencies' is due to its broader application, encapsulating all potential significant transformations.
For the final blank, 'perilously' captures the idea of significant risk or danger of being wrong, which is essential to understanding how predictions can falter.
Conducting a word choice analysis not only helps in selecting the right answer, but also deepens your comprehension of the sentence, which is crucial for mastering sentence completion challenges.