Question

Veteran technical support staff members feel that their services are _____ by the use of computer programs to do the same work; they claim that technical support can't be provided procedurally but rather is a case-by-case effort that requires a skill set built upon training and experience. a. devalued b. tarnished c. ridiculed d. vituperated e. impaired

Short answer

devalued

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the context

Read the sentence carefully to understand what is being communicated. The sentence suggests that veteran technical support staff members feel negatively about computer programs performing their duties.

- Identify keywords

Keywords in the sentence include 'services,' 'computer programs,' 'claim,' 'can't be provided procedurally,' and 'requires a skill set built upon training and experience.'

- Analyze the connotation

The staff feel that their work requires a unique skill set and can't be done by computer programs, indicating their work's value is diminished.

- Evaluate answer choices

Consider each option: (a) devalued - means diminished in value.(b) tarnished - means damaged in reputation.(c) ridiculed - means mocked.(d) vituperated - means harshly criticized.(e) impaired - means weakened.

- Select the best fit

Based on context, the best choice is (a) devalued, because it directly correlates with the idea of diminishing the value of their services by using computer programs.

Key concepts

Text comprehension

To master GRE verbal reasoning, the first step is understanding the given text. This involves closely reading the sentence or passage. For the provided exercise, the sentence states that veteran technical support staff feel negatively about computer programs performing their duties. This negative sentiment is crucial for understanding the context. By picking up on cues like 'feel that their services are', we see that the staff believe their work can't be replicated by a program. This implies they think their work is undervalued or not properly appreciated when done by a machine.

Vocabulary analysis

When dissecting a sentence, it’s important to examine key vocabulary. In this case, keywords from the exercise include 'services,' 'computer programs,' and 'skill set'. Understand each word within the sentence. 'Services' refers to what the staff members provide. 'Computer programs' suggests automated processes attempting to replace human work. The phrase 'skill set built upon training and experience' highlights the unique expertise the staff believe is necessary for their job. By focusing on these words and phrases, you can better grasp the underlying meaning of the sentence.

Context clues

To determine the correct answer, use context clues provided in the sentence. Here, the sentence communicates that technical support is a specialized field requiring human skill. The phrase 'can't be provided procedurally' indicates that the staff believe a computer program can't deliver the same quality. The statement 'requires a skill set built upon training and experience' reinforces the idea that their work involves more than just following procedures. Through these context clues, we can deduce that the correct answer should reflect a negative impact on the perception of the staff's work by implying a loss in value or importance.

Answer evaluation

Once you've analyzed the text and understood the context and vocabulary, evaluate the answer choices. Look at each option and see how it fits into the identified sentiment. In the given exercise: * (a) devalued - means diminished in value, fitting the idea that the staff feels their work is not valued as highly anymore. * (b) tarnished - means damaged in reputation but doesn’t fit the context as well. * (c) ridiculed - means mocked, which is too strong and specific a reaction. * (d) vituperated - means harshly criticized, which isn't suggested by the sentence. * (e) impaired - means weakened, which is close but not as precise as 'devalued'. Therefore, 'devalued' is the best choice as it directly correlates with the diminished perceived worth of the staff's work.