Advanced Sentence Completion Exercise 12

1. Very much is known about the philosopher Descartes; however, while drawing from his singular writing style, it is often difficult to______ some of his finer ______.
   1.   ?    categorize...details
   2.   ?    appreciate...thoughts
   3.   ?    grasp...points
   4.   ?    understand...lectures
   5.   ?    value...lessons
2. Marcel Duchamp’s ______ “Fountain” first exhibited in
   1917, was not only a audacious display of courage, but also a ______ piece which symbolized the progression of art into the modern world.
   1.   ?    iconic...simplistic
   2.   ?    daring...groundbreaking
   3.   ?    interesting...banal
   4.   ?    exciting...contemporary
   5.   ?    renowned...attractive
3. Although the witness had been offered several ______, his testimony was ______, and did not show any sign of prejudice.
   1.   ?    bribes...impartial
   2.   ?    blandishments...biased
   3.   ?    ideas...fair
   4.   ?    propositions...determined
   5.   ?    changes...reasonable
4. Motivation, no matter how ostensibly well-founded, involves an aspect of ______, and the desire to get ahead.
   1.   ?    passion
   2.   ?    inspiration
   3.   ?    truth
   4.   ?    selfishness
   5.   ?    altruism
5. In order to dissociate a soldier from the ______ operations he or she must carry out, the Military has infused their language with countless innocuous ______, such as “Target acquired”, “Threat eliminated,” and “Mission accomplished.”
   1.   ?    disastrous...sayings
   2.   ?    mindless...postulates
   3.   ?    violent...euphemisms
   4.   ?    brutal...slogans
   5.   ?    harmful...mottos
6. The coach lacked coordination and solid communication skills; likewise, his team was altogether ______.
   1.   ?    undisciplined
   2.   ?    independent
   3.   ?    cohesive
   4.   ?    disjointed
   5.   ?    incapable
7. Despite his aptitude, experience, and wide range of skills, the corporation ______ his application for CEO.
   1.   ?    deferred
   2.   ?    rejected
   3.   ?    discarded
   4.   ?    abandoned
   5.   ?    compromised
8. Unless the corporation ______ a new product in the next quarter, their revenues will continue to ______, and they may be forced to file bankruptcy.
   1.   ?    invents...decline
   2.   ?    discovers...decrease
   3.   ?    purchases...swell
   4.   ?    manages...dip
   5.   ?    releases...suffer
9. If not for their ______ play and quick thinking, the team would have surely ______.
   1.   ?    adroit...lost
   2.   ?    skillful...won
   3.   ?    tenacious...been defeated
   4.   ?    severe...been victorious
   5.   ?    reticent...challenged
10. “The Ballerina,” ______ for its high level of ______ and craftsmanship, is the sculpture for which Degas is most well known.
    1.   ?    marked...patience
    2.   ?    renowned...artistry
    3.   ?    recognized...complexity
    4.   ?    criticized...effort
    5.   ?    celebrated...cunning