La respuesta la da el texto, no tu intuición: busca pistas como dos puntos, “although”, “but” o “because”.
Una palabra puede tener varios significados; solo cuenta el que tiene en esa frase.
Estrategia paso a paso
Tapa las opciones y piensa tu propia palabra para el hueco. Luego elige la opción más parecida.
Comprueba el tono: ¿el texto elogia, critica o describe de forma neutra?
Trampas habituales
Palabras difíciles que “suenan bien” pero no encajan con la pista.
El significado más común de la palabra cuando el texto usa otro.
Ejemplo resuelto
“La reseña fue muy ______: en dos frases despachó el disco entero.” → “curt” (seca y breve), no “effusive” (efusiva).
Preguntas de ejemplo
Intenta responder antes de abrir la solución. Las preguntas están en el idioma del examen.
Pregunta 1
Dificultad fácil≈ 1 min
Because the museum’s oldest maps fade quickly when they are exposed to light, curators ______ them for only a few weeks each year and keep them in dark storage the rest of the time.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
AA. purchase
BB. translate
CC. display
DD. insure
Ver respuesta y explicación
Respuesta correcta: C. display
Explicación
The maps fade when exposed to light, and for most of the year they are kept in the dark. The time they spend in light must be when they are shown to the public, so curators “display” them for only a few weeks.
Buying (“purchase”), translating, or insuring the maps has nothing to do with exposing them to light, so none of these words explains why the maps are kept in dark storage the rest of the year.
Pregunta 2
Dificultad media≈ 1 min
Although the senator’s speech was ______ in tone, its substance was anything but mild: in a calm, even voice, she proposed abolishing three federal agencies outright.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
AA. strident
BB. measured
CC. jubilant
DD. incoherent
Ver respuesta y explicación
Respuesta correcta: B. measured
Explicación
“Although” sets up a contrast between the speech’s tone and its bold substance, and the text says she spoke “in a calm, even voice.” A calm, controlled tone is “measured.”
“Strident” (harsh and loud) contradicts the calm voice. Nothing suggests the tone was joyful (“jubilant”), and a speech that clearly proposed a specific plan was not “incoherent.”
Pregunta 3
Dificultad difícil≈ 2 min
Early accounts of the explorer’s voyage are frustratingly ______: they record the dates of departure and arrival but say almost nothing about the route, the crew, or the conditions at sea.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
AA. effusive
BB. inaccurate
CC. laconic
DD. contentious
Ver respuesta y explicación
Respuesta correcta: C. laconic
Explicación
The colon explains the frustration: the accounts give a few bare facts and leave out almost everything else. Writing that uses very few words is “laconic.”
“Effusive” (overflowing with words or feeling) is the opposite. Nothing suggests that the recorded facts are wrong, so “inaccurate” is unsupported, and nothing indicates disagreement or controversy (“contentious”).