Question

Possessed of an insatiable sweet tooth, Jim enjoyed all kinds of candy, but he had a special _______________ for gumdrops, his absolute favorite. a. affinity b. odium c. nature d. disregard e. predilection

Short answer

The correct answer is 'e. predilection'

Step-by-step solution

Identify the general direction

Start by identifying the general intent or direction of the statement. The sentence discusses Jim's love for candy, especially gumdrops.

Evaluate each choice

Take each word and try to fit it in the sentence. Jim had a special 'affinity' for gumdrops, 'odium' towards gumdrops, 'nature' for gumdrops, 'disregard' for gumdrops, and 'predilection' for gumdrops.

Select the most suitable word

In this step, select what seems the most suitable word after comparing all the options. 'Affinity' and 'predilection' both express a strong liking for something which fits in this case. However, 'predilection' fits better as it indicates a preference over others, which matches the absolute favorite bit. The 'odium' means hate which does not fit, 'nature' is too vague, and 'disregard' means ignoring something which also does not fit.

Key concepts

Sentence Completion

Mastering sentence completion questions involves filling in the blanks in a sentence with the most appropriate word. The objective is to ensure that the sentence remains cohesive and meaningful with the chosen word. Sentence completion tests your ability to grasp the context and ensures you can deduce the correct meaning even if you haven't encountered the sentence before.
To tackle these questions efficiently:

• Read the entire sentence carefully before looking at the options.
• Try to predict the word that might fit well in the blank before considering the given choices.
• Consider each option one by one to see which one best maintains the sentence's meaning.

This approach will make your sentence completion strategy robust.

Context Clues

In sentence completion exercises, context clues play an essential role in identifying the correct word for the blank. These clues are bits of information in the sentence or surrounding text that suggest the meaning of the missing word.
Types of context clues you might encounter include:

• Definitions or explanations immediately following an unfamiliar word.
• A restatement or synonym embedded within the sentence.
• Comparisons or contrasts indicated by words like "unlike" or "similarly."

Using context clues helps narrow down word choices effectively, ensuring the chosen word aligns correctly with the sentence's intent.

Word Choice

Selecting the right word in sentence completion tasks is critical. This process involves analyzing each option critically. Start by understanding the subtle differences in meaning between similar words. For example, words like 'affinity' and 'predilection' both imply a liking, but 'predilection' leans more towards a strong preference.
To improve word choice skills:

• Build a strong vocabulary through regular reading and practice.
• Understand the nuances and connotations of words.
• Use elimination strategies to discard options that do not fit the context well.

Selecting the correct word enhances your comprehension and communicates your ideas more effectively.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal reasoning is a critical skill in interpreting and deriving meaning from text. It enables you to recognize logical relationships between words and sentences, and to infer meanings even when not explicitly stated.
Effective verbal reasoning involves:

• Identifying the main idea and supporting details in a sentence.
• Understanding the author's intended tone or mood.
• Recognizing logical connections between statements or premises.

Practicing verbal reasoning enriches your ability to solve complex linguistic tasks with ease, such as those often found in standardized tests like the GRE.