Near Synonyms in Formal Arguments

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The report explicitly separates risk, whose probability can be estimated, from uncertainty, whose probability cannot. It ___ a distinction between them.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. paints
   2. sketches
   3. traces
   4. draws
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   draws

   Draw a distinction means identify a difference. Trace would follow its development rather than explicitly establish the distinction.

   draws: Draw a distinction means identify a difference. Trace would follow its development rather than explicitly establish the distinction.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The evidence provides grounds for a cautious conclusion but does not force a single interpretation. It ___ that limited conclusion.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. assures
   2. warrants
   3. guarantees
   4. necessitates
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   warrants

   Warrants means provides adequate grounds for. Guarantees and necessitates would overstate the degree of certainty or necessity.

   warrants: Warrants means provides adequate grounds for. Guarantees and necessitates would overstate the degree of certainty or necessity.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The authors predicted these side effects but did not want them. The consequences were therefore ___, although they were foreseen.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. unintended
   2. unforeseen
   3. unanticipated
   4. unforeseeable
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   unintended

   Unintended concerns purpose; the other options concern prediction. The effects were expected but not desired.

   unintended: Unintended concerns purpose; the other options concern prediction. The effects were expected but not desired.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The objection addresses the central weakness directly; it is highly ___ to the issue under discussion.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. impertinent
   2. pertinent
   3. incidental
   4. peripheral
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   pertinent

   Pertinent means directly relevant. Peripheral and incidental would place the objection away from the central issue.

   pertinent: Pertinent means directly relevant. Peripheral and incidental would place the objection away from the central issue.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Both accounts could be true at the same time. They are not mutually ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. exclusive
   2. conclusive
   3. exhaustive
   4. comprehensive
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   exclusive

   Mutually exclusive accounts cannot both be true. The context explicitly permits coexistence.

   exclusive: Mutually exclusive accounts cannot both be true. The context explicitly permits coexistence.

6. Question 6 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The example shows how the principle works in one case without proving that it holds universally. It ___ the principle.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. establishes
   2. illustrates
   3. proves
   4. verifies
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   illustrates

   Illustrates supplies an example. The other verbs would suggest evidential establishment beyond this one illustration.

   illustrates: Illustrates supplies an example. The other verbs would suggest evidential establishment beyond this one illustration.

7. Question 7 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The approval requires a formal review after six months; that review is mandatory. The proposal remains ___ to review.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. immune
   2. entitled
   3. conditional
   4. subject
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   subject

   Subject to review states the requirement. Immune to review would wrongly exempt the proposal from it; entitled would describe a right rather than this obligation.

   subject: Subject to review states the requirement. Immune to review would wrongly exempt the proposal from it; entitled would describe a right rather than this obligation.

8. Question 8 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Stable demand is the premise on which the claim rests. The claim is ___ on that assumption.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. predicated
   2. predicted
   3. precipitated
   4. preceded
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   predicated

   Predicated on means based on a premise. Predicted concerns forecasting rather than identifying an argument's basis.

   predicated: Predicated on means based on a premise. Predicted concerns forecasting rather than identifying an argument's basis.

9. Question 9 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Two reasonable readers interpret the same wording in incompatible ways. The wording is ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. ambivalent
   2. unambiguous
   3. ambiguous
   4. unequivocal
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   ambiguous

   Ambiguous concerns more than one meaning. Ambivalent concerns mixed attitudes, not the number of interpretations.

   ambiguous: Ambiguous concerns more than one meaning. Ambivalent concerns mixed attitudes, not the number of interpretations.

10. Question 10 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

    Choose the correct option for each blank.

    The statements concern different contexts, so explaining that difference removes the apparent contradiction. It can be ___.

    Choices for blank 1

    1. absolved
    2. exonerated
    3. acquitted
    4. resolved
    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    resolved

    Resolve a contradiction means remove or explain it. The other verbs concern clearing a person of blame.

    resolved: Resolve a contradiction means remove or explain it. The other verbs concern clearing a person of blame.

11. Question 11 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

    Choose the correct option for each blank.

    The change would make existing inequalities worse rather than relieve them. It is likely to ___ them.

    Choices for blank 1

    1. exasperate
    2. exonerate
    3. explicate
    4. exacerbate
    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    exacerbate

    Exacerbate means worsen. Exasperate means irritate a person; explicate means explain.

    exacerbate: Exacerbate means worsen. Exasperate means irritate a person; explicate means explain.

12. Question 12 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

    Choose the correct option for each blank.

    The review gives fair attention to both gains and losses and evaluates the evidence for each. It offers a ___ account.

    Choices for blank 1

    1. one-sided
    2. selective
    3. balanced
    4. uncritical
    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    balanced

    Balanced means giving fair consideration to different sides. The explicit evaluation also excludes an uncritical account.

    balanced: Balanced means giving fair consideration to different sides. The explicit evaluation also excludes an uncritical account.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.