Social science passage vocabulary
Words for policy, method, and the gap between a stated aim and a real one.
5 questions, with answers shown. To be quizzed instead — start a session.
core · social-science
The policy was ____ designed to reduce congestion, though its authors privately conceded it would do little.
- ostensiblyanswer
- demonstrably
- inadvertently
- comprehensively
Why it fits: "Though its authors privately conceded" sets up a contrast between the stated purpose and the real one, which is exactly what "ostensibly" marks.
Why each wrong option is tempting
- demonstrably — "Demonstrably" claims the effect was proven — the sentence says the opposite.
- inadvertently — "Inadvertently" means by accident, but the policy was deliberately designed.
- comprehensively — "Comprehensively" describes how thoroughly something was done, not the gap between claim and reality.
core · social-science
The committee insisted the cut-off was principled, but it could not explain why the threshold fell at that figure rather than any other, which made it look ____.
- arbitraryanswer
- stringent
- provisional
- unanimous
Why it fits: Being unable to justify why the number is that number and not another is precisely what makes a choice arbitrary.
Why each wrong option is tempting
- stringent — "Stringent" means strict. A threshold can be strict and still be well justified, so it does not follow from the sentence.
- provisional — "Provisional" means temporary. The sentence is about justification, not duration.
- unanimous — "Unanimous" describes agreement among people, not the basis for a number.
core · social-science
Funding for the second phase is ____ on the pilot meeting its enrolment target.
- contingentanswer
- incidental
- tantamount
- impervious
Why it fits: The funding depends on a condition being met, which is what "contingent on" states.
Why each wrong option is tempting
- incidental — "Incidental" means minor or occurring by chance, the opposite of a governing condition.
- tantamount — "Tantamount" means equivalent to, which does not fit a dependency.
- impervious — "Impervious" means unaffected by, which reverses the relationship.
core · social-science
Even the study’s critics ____ that its sample was larger than any collected before.
- concedeanswer
- contend
- contest
- construe
Why it fits: "Even the critics" signals that they are admitting something that does not help their case.
Why each wrong option is tempting
- contend — "Contend" means to argue for, but critics arguing for the study’s strength would not need "even".
- contest — "Contest" means to dispute, which contradicts the "even the critics" framing.
- construe — "Construe" means to interpret, which does not capture the admission.
stretch · social-science
The new protocol does not guarantee agreement; it merely ____ the conversation between the two parties.
- facilitatesanswer
- mandates
- obviates
- adjudicates
Why it fits: "Does not guarantee ... merely" indicates the protocol makes the conversation easier without forcing an outcome.
Why each wrong option is tempting
- mandates — "Mandates" means requires, which is stronger than the sentence allows.
- obviates — "Obviates" means makes unnecessary, but the conversation still happens.
- adjudicates — "Adjudicates" means judges and decides, which contradicts not guaranteeing agreement.
Other sets
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