Two Adjectives or Adverbs in Two-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The river, which was normally so that you could see the rocks at the bottom, had become with sediment after the night's storm.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The river, which was normally so that you could see the rocks at the bottom, had become with sediment after the night's storm.
For the first blank, we need an adjective that means "clear" and applies to liquids. While "lucid," "limpid," "luminous," and "clear" all sound like potential correct answers, "lucid" means expressed clearly or easy to understand and refers to ideas or texts, and "luminous" means reflecting or emitting light. This leaves us with "clear" and "limpid," which describes liquids and means free of anything that darkens; completely clear, as potential answers. So, we need to pick between "mercurial" and "turbid" for the second blank, which needs an adjective describing the river's cloudiness after the storm. Since "turbid" refers to liquids and means cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter, it is the better choice, and the answer is "limpid . . . turbid."
For the first blank, we need an adjective that means "clear" and applies to liquids. While "lucid," "limpid," "luminous," and "clear" all sound like potential correct answers, "lucid" means expressed clearly or easy to understand and refers to ideas or texts, and "luminous" means reflecting or emitting light. This leaves us with "clear" and "limpid," which describes liquids and means free of anything that darkens; completely clear, as potential answers. So, we need to pick between "mercurial" and "turbid" for the second blank, which needs an adjective describing the river's cloudiness after the storm. Since "turbid" refers to liquids and means cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter, it is the better choice, and the answer is "limpid . . . turbid."
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The little girl tried to be , insisting that she hadn't gone near the cookie jar, but the crumbs on her face and her expression revealed her crime to her parents.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The little girl tried to be , insisting that she hadn't gone near the cookie jar, but the crumbs on her face and her expression revealed her crime to her parents.
Since we can infer that the little girl did take cookies out of the cookie jar but insists that she didn't, we're looking for an adjective for the first blank that has something to do with lying. "Disingenuous" (not candid or sincere) and "mendacious" (not telling the truth) could each work. For the second blank, we need to pick between "contrite" (penitent and guilty) and "stolid" (showing little emotion). "Contrite" makes the most sense as an adjective describing the little girl's expression, since if she had a stolid expression, her parents might not have figured out she took cookies from the jar; so, the answer is "mendacious . . . contrite."
Since we can infer that the little girl did take cookies out of the cookie jar but insists that she didn't, we're looking for an adjective for the first blank that has something to do with lying. "Disingenuous" (not candid or sincere) and "mendacious" (not telling the truth) could each work. For the second blank, we need to pick between "contrite" (penitent and guilty) and "stolid" (showing little emotion). "Contrite" makes the most sense as an adjective describing the little girl's expression, since if she had a stolid expression, her parents might not have figured out she took cookies from the jar; so, the answer is "mendacious . . . contrite."
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The butler completed his tasks in a manner, barely paying attention to his work as he overheard the household's scandal in its earliest stages of hushed conversations and snide comments.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The butler completed his tasks in a manner, barely paying attention to his work as he overheard the household's scandal in its earliest stages of hushed conversations and snide comments.
For the first blank, we're looking for an adjective that reflects how the butler worked without paying attention to his work. Either "perfunctory" (carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection) or "desultory" (lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm) could work. For the second blank, we need an adjective that describes how the household scandal is "in its earliest stages." In choosing between "nascent" (just beginning to develop) and "resolute" (admirably determined), "nascent" is the better choice, so the answer is "perfunctory . . . nascent."
For the first blank, we're looking for an adjective that reflects how the butler worked without paying attention to his work. Either "perfunctory" (carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection) or "desultory" (lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm) could work. For the second blank, we need an adjective that describes how the household scandal is "in its earliest stages." In choosing between "nascent" (just beginning to develop) and "resolute" (admirably determined), "nascent" is the better choice, so the answer is "perfunctory . . . nascent."
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The valley was absolutely ; no human foot had set foot there in thousands of years, wildlife abounded, and the rivers and lakes were perfectly .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The valley was absolutely ; no human foot had set foot there in thousands of years, wildlife abounded, and the rivers and lakes were perfectly .
For the first blank, we need an adjective that describes how the valley has not been developed or ruined. Either "pristine" (unspoiled) or "unspoiled" could work. For the second blank, we're looking for another adjective, this time one that means something like "clear." In choosing between "limpid," a word that specifically refers to liquids and means clear and "lucid," a word that refers to ideas or writing and means expressed in a clear way, "limpid" is the clear choice, so the answer is "pristine . . . limpid."
For the first blank, we need an adjective that describes how the valley has not been developed or ruined. Either "pristine" (unspoiled) or "unspoiled" could work. For the second blank, we're looking for another adjective, this time one that means something like "clear." In choosing between "limpid," a word that specifically refers to liquids and means clear and "lucid," a word that refers to ideas or writing and means expressed in a clear way, "limpid" is the clear choice, so the answer is "pristine . . . limpid."
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Dave took everything that was said to him seriously, even comments, which often forced his friends to digress from the topic of conversation to explain jokes which were normally left .
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Dave took everything that was said to him seriously, even comments, which often forced his friends to digress from the topic of conversation to explain jokes which were normally left .
For the first blank, we're looking for an adjective that means the opposite of "serious." Either "facetious," which means joking or jesting, often inappropriately or "sportive," which means playful or lighthearted,could work. For the second blank, we need an adjective that means not explained. In choosing between "tacit" (understood or implied without being directly stated) and "austere" (severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance), "tacit" is the better choice, so "facetious . . . tacit" is the correct answer.
For the first blank, we're looking for an adjective that means the opposite of "serious." Either "facetious," which means joking or jesting, often inappropriately or "sportive," which means playful or lighthearted,could work. For the second blank, we need an adjective that means not explained. In choosing between "tacit" (understood or implied without being directly stated) and "austere" (severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance), "tacit" is the better choice, so "facetious . . . tacit" is the correct answer.
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owls of that species have , fluff on their bellies, and don't lose their striped appearance until they molt and gain their adult feathers when they're a year old.
owls of that species have , fluff on their bellies, and don't lose their striped appearance until they molt and gain their adult feathers when they're a year old.
For the first blank, we need an adjective that means something like "young," because the owls don't lose their striped down until they're a year old. Possible choices include "fledgling" ("relating to a young bird") and "juvenile" ("of, for, or relating to someone or something young"). For the second blank, we need a word that means "striped;" since "striated" means "striped" and "pedantic" means "narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned," "striated" is the better choice, and the answer is "fledgling, striated."
For the first blank, we need an adjective that means something like "young," because the owls don't lose their striped down until they're a year old. Possible choices include "fledgling" ("relating to a young bird") and "juvenile" ("of, for, or relating to someone or something young"). For the second blank, we need a word that means "striped;" since "striated" means "striped" and "pedantic" means "narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned," "striated" is the better choice, and the answer is "fledgling, striated."
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The manner of the young man was in stark contrast with the older businessman.
The manner of the young man was in stark contrast with the older businessman.
Here we have a contrast: there aren't any clue to what the words are, but they should be opposites. The best fit is "decorous" and "boorish"—the first meaning "characterized by proper manners" and the latter "unmannered and crude."
Here we have a contrast: there aren't any clue to what the words are, but they should be opposites. The best fit is "decorous" and "boorish"—the first meaning "characterized by proper manners" and the latter "unmannered and crude."
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When Lauren learned that the forecast predicted weather and snow storms, she decided that wearing her scarf, hat, and mittens as well as a down coat would be .
When Lauren learned that the forecast predicted weather and snow storms, she decided that wearing her scarf, hat, and mittens as well as a down coat would be .
Because we know that the forecast predicted snow storms, we can infer that it also predicted cold weather. So, we need to pick out an answer choice for the first blank that means something like "cold." Either "frigid," "chilly," or "icy" could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that describes the action of wearing a scarf, hat, and mittens if one knows the weather is going to be cold and snowy. Since wearing those items is a good idea, either "smart," "necessary," or "prudent" ("acting with or showing care and thought for the future") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "frigid" and "prudent" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "frigid . . . prudent."
Because we know that the forecast predicted snow storms, we can infer that it also predicted cold weather. So, we need to pick out an answer choice for the first blank that means something like "cold." Either "frigid," "chilly," or "icy" could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that describes the action of wearing a scarf, hat, and mittens if one knows the weather is going to be cold and snowy. Since wearing those items is a good idea, either "smart," "necessary," or "prudent" ("acting with or showing care and thought for the future") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "frigid" and "prudent" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "frigid . . . prudent."
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Always smiling and Aaron could cheer even the most personality.
Always smiling and Aaron could cheer even the most personality.
Since this sentence focuses merely on Aaron’s ability to cheer others, the best option will be that one which describes him in terms of cheerfulness and contrasts that with those who are not so cheerful. When someone is “jovial,” he or she is cheerful. The word comes from the description of Jove / Jupiter in Roman mythology. A person born under the influence of the planet Jupiter was believed to exhibit the cheerful personality characteristic of the God with the same name. For whatever one might say about the source of this word, it has stuck in English usage, though Jove has been left far behind. When someone is “sullen,” he or she is gloomy or bad tempered.
Since this sentence focuses merely on Aaron’s ability to cheer others, the best option will be that one which describes him in terms of cheerfulness and contrasts that with those who are not so cheerful. When someone is “jovial,” he or she is cheerful. The word comes from the description of Jove / Jupiter in Roman mythology. A person born under the influence of the planet Jupiter was believed to exhibit the cheerful personality characteristic of the God with the same name. For whatever one might say about the source of this word, it has stuck in English usage, though Jove has been left far behind. When someone is “sullen,” he or she is gloomy or bad tempered.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
lawns have become , with many people choosing to install fake, manmade grass to cut down on their lawn maintenance.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
lawns have become , with many people choosing to install fake, manmade grass to cut down on their lawn maintenance.
We can infer that because "many people \[are\] choosing to install fake, manmade grass," we need to pick out a combination of words that either means "real lawns have become rare" or "fake lawns have become common." While "artificial" and "manufactured" are both similar in meaning to "fake" and "manmade," only "artificial" lines up with a word for the second blank that means "common" - "commonplace." "Manufactured" lines up with "uncommon," so it can't be the answer, because if many people are installing fake lawns, manufactured lawns cannot be uncommon. Similarly, "authentic . . . pedestrian" cannot be the correct answer either, because if many people are installing fake grass, authentic lawns are not likely in the process of becoming "pedestrian," or commonplace. The correct answer is "artificial . . . commonplace" because it best fits the context of the sentence.
We can infer that because "many people \[are\] choosing to install fake, manmade grass," we need to pick out a combination of words that either means "real lawns have become rare" or "fake lawns have become common." While "artificial" and "manufactured" are both similar in meaning to "fake" and "manmade," only "artificial" lines up with a word for the second blank that means "common" - "commonplace." "Manufactured" lines up with "uncommon," so it can't be the answer, because if many people are installing fake lawns, manufactured lawns cannot be uncommon. Similarly, "authentic . . . pedestrian" cannot be the correct answer either, because if many people are installing fake grass, authentic lawns are not likely in the process of becoming "pedestrian," or commonplace. The correct answer is "artificial . . . commonplace" because it best fits the context of the sentence.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He was and known to make friends easily with his friendly, banter.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He was and known to make friends easily with his friendly, banter.
To be "gregarious" means to be social and to enjoy companionship. To be "loquacious" is to be talkative. In this case, it makes sense that a gregarious, social person would be talkative.
To be "gregarious" means to be social and to enjoy companionship. To be "loquacious" is to be talkative. In this case, it makes sense that a gregarious, social person would be talkative.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The young monk was finally fed up with the actions of his confrère, whose sweet-seeming piety was a mask for a judgmental, indeed , attitude.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The young monk was finally fed up with the actions of his confrère, whose sweet-seeming piety was a mask for a judgmental, indeed , attitude.
The key phrase is the intensifying "indeed . . ." Here, the only option is "acrid," which can mean not only bitter and angry, but also sarcastic in tone. The first word, "sanctimonious," fits as well, for it indicates being showy with one's holiness—from the Latin word sanctus, whence we derive other words like "sancity" and "sanctify."
The key phrase is the intensifying "indeed . . ." Here, the only option is "acrid," which can mean not only bitter and angry, but also sarcastic in tone. The first word, "sanctimonious," fits as well, for it indicates being showy with one's holiness—from the Latin word sanctus, whence we derive other words like "sancity" and "sanctify."
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Fill in the blanks with the best answers.
In an effort to deliver a more curriculum for her young students, the teacher referenced themes in her lecture.
Fill in the blanks with the best answers.
In an effort to deliver a more curriculum for her young students, the teacher referenced themes in her lecture.
In this question, there are more possibilities for the blanks: the teacher can use popular themes to deliver a new curriculum, or classical themes to deliver a classical curriculum, etc. Here only "apposite" and "au courant" match with each other; "apposite" means appropriate while "au courant" refers to something up-to-date. "Canonical" and "prosaic" are valid options for the first blank, but do not have an adequate matching word for the second blank. Be careful of similar sounding words with completely different meanings: apposite / opposite, opprobrious / appropriate.
In this question, there are more possibilities for the blanks: the teacher can use popular themes to deliver a new curriculum, or classical themes to deliver a classical curriculum, etc. Here only "apposite" and "au courant" match with each other; "apposite" means appropriate while "au courant" refers to something up-to-date. "Canonical" and "prosaic" are valid options for the first blank, but do not have an adequate matching word for the second blank. Be careful of similar sounding words with completely different meanings: apposite / opposite, opprobrious / appropriate.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sam had always been , even during the most serious of situations; on the contrary, his friend Isidore was perhaps the sternest person he knew—unable to suffer any humor even at the most times.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sam had always been , even during the most serious of situations; on the contrary, his friend Isidore was perhaps the sternest person he knew—unable to suffer any humor even at the most times.
The sentence clearly is trying to contrast Sam and Isidore ("On the contrary . . ."). The sense of the sentence is that Sam is upbeat in the worst of situations, while Isidore is never able to suffer such light-hearteness in the best of times.
This immediately eliminates "amorous . . . dolorous," because "dolorous" does not fit. It really is not a matter of "maturity," so "immature . . . convivial" isn't directly spot on. "Disconsolate" means hopelessly sad, so "disconsolate . . . jovial" is out. The last two choices are the toughest: "joyful . . . uplifiting" and "jocular . . . festive." The latter is correct, because "jocular" captures the sense of joking that is indicated in the sentence about Isidore. "Joyful" is related but just a bit shy.
The sentence clearly is trying to contrast Sam and Isidore ("On the contrary . . ."). The sense of the sentence is that Sam is upbeat in the worst of situations, while Isidore is never able to suffer such light-hearteness in the best of times.
This immediately eliminates "amorous . . . dolorous," because "dolorous" does not fit. It really is not a matter of "maturity," so "immature . . . convivial" isn't directly spot on. "Disconsolate" means hopelessly sad, so "disconsolate . . . jovial" is out. The last two choices are the toughest: "joyful . . . uplifiting" and "jocular . . . festive." The latter is correct, because "jocular" captures the sense of joking that is indicated in the sentence about Isidore. "Joyful" is related but just a bit shy.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Youthful energy had often led Jeremiah to undertake tasks merely for the sake of their difficulty. With age, however, he learned that this bent had often led to a expenditure of energy.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Youthful energy had often led Jeremiah to undertake tasks merely for the sake of their difficulty. With age, however, he learned that this bent had often led to a expenditure of energy.
The sense of the blanks implies that the tasks were difficult or tiring (or something of the like). The second blank implies that such energy was not well spent (particularly because of the key word "however").
The most tempting answers are "gargantuan . . . stunning", "heroic . . . significant," and "multitude . . . surprising"; however, in both cases, the second word does not match the negative sense implied by the "however."
"Strenuous, frivolous" best captures the sense of these two blanks.
The sense of the blanks implies that the tasks were difficult or tiring (or something of the like). The second blank implies that such energy was not well spent (particularly because of the key word "however").
The most tempting answers are "gargantuan . . . stunning", "heroic . . . significant," and "multitude . . . surprising"; however, in both cases, the second word does not match the negative sense implied by the "however."
"Strenuous, frivolous" best captures the sense of these two blanks.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The prosecutor had been in developing his case against the young defendent. When the latter's innocence was proven by evidence, the official was aghast that he was nearly blinded by his desire to win the case.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The prosecutor had been in developing his case against the young defendent. When the latter's innocence was proven by evidence, the official was aghast that he was nearly blinded by his desire to win the case.
Do not be tricked by "desire" into thinking that "avaricous" is an acceptable value for the first blank. Many of the other answers are far from the mark. The clear sense of the sentence indicates that the first blank addresses the prosecutor's zeal and devotion to the case. (This could make some answers tempting, such as "untiring" or "devoted"); however, the case for "zealous" is strengthened by the meaning of "exculpatory," namely, removing the guilt from one, which fulfills the sense of the second blank describing the evidence that led to proof of the young man's innocence.
Do not be tricked by "desire" into thinking that "avaricous" is an acceptable value for the first blank. Many of the other answers are far from the mark. The clear sense of the sentence indicates that the first blank addresses the prosecutor's zeal and devotion to the case. (This could make some answers tempting, such as "untiring" or "devoted"); however, the case for "zealous" is strengthened by the meaning of "exculpatory," namely, removing the guilt from one, which fulfills the sense of the second blank describing the evidence that led to proof of the young man's innocence.
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The raft floated on the ocean waves, lulling the young man to sleep under the rays of the summer sun.
The raft floated on the ocean waves, lulling the young man to sleep under the rays of the summer sun.
"Buoyantly, warm" is a trap to try to get you to choose a seemingly close, "practice list" word—buoyant—with "warm," luring you because of the apparent connection to the sun rays. Likewise, "ceaselessly . . . fleeting" tries to trap you into overthinking the answer. The sense of the sentence wants you to consider the calmness of the waves because of the key word "lulling;" therefore, the best answer is "placidly" (calmly) and "undulating" (moving like a wave—with the overtone of gentleness, though not necessarily).
"Buoyantly, warm" is a trap to try to get you to choose a seemingly close, "practice list" word—buoyant—with "warm," luring you because of the apparent connection to the sun rays. Likewise, "ceaselessly . . . fleeting" tries to trap you into overthinking the answer. The sense of the sentence wants you to consider the calmness of the waves because of the key word "lulling;" therefore, the best answer is "placidly" (calmly) and "undulating" (moving like a wave—with the overtone of gentleness, though not necessarily).
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Though the apple orchard had a great reputation, there were quite a few and trees by the barn.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Though the apple orchard had a great reputation, there were quite a few and trees by the barn.
“Bucolic” describes ideal country living and thus doesn’t pair well with “sickly.” “Contrite” means feeling remorse. “Fallow” means left unplowed and unseeded, and “florid” means healthy red or flowery. This leaves us with “diseased . . . acarpous” as the correct answer.
“Bucolic” describes ideal country living and thus doesn’t pair well with “sickly.” “Contrite” means feeling remorse. “Fallow” means left unplowed and unseeded, and “florid” means healthy red or flowery. This leaves us with “diseased . . . acarpous” as the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Although you may think that statecraft is a daunting affair, you should investigate the complexities of politics practiced by hierarchical churchmen.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Although you may think that statecraft is a daunting affair, you should investigate the complexities of politics practiced by hierarchical churchmen.
For the first blank, it is key to note the intensification implied from the first clause to the second one. The second blank aims to describe the style of politics. If you note both of these clues, you might be tempted to choose "extravagant . . . sacrosanct"; however, "sacrosanct" really indicates holiness. Don't be tricked by this kind of surface-level proximity to "churchmen." Also, "extravagant" is a bit weak for the purpose of intensifying the notion of complexity (though it could work if no better options were available). There is a better option, however: "labyrinthine . . . ecclesiastical."
For the first blank, it is key to note the intensification implied from the first clause to the second one. The second blank aims to describe the style of politics. If you note both of these clues, you might be tempted to choose "extravagant . . . sacrosanct"; however, "sacrosanct" really indicates holiness. Don't be tricked by this kind of surface-level proximity to "churchmen." Also, "extravagant" is a bit weak for the purpose of intensifying the notion of complexity (though it could work if no better options were available). There is a better option, however: "labyrinthine . . . ecclesiastical."
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Suzanne never doubted the words of even the most liar. Her personality led her to fall into the plotting hands of even the most well known scoundrels.
Suzanne never doubted the words of even the most liar. Her personality led her to fall into the plotting hands of even the most well known scoundrels.
From the context, it would seem that Suzanne has a rather innocent and naïve personality. (She misses even the most well known scoundrels.) Now, we might call the liar "notable," but in this case, "forgiving" does not completely fit as well as does the correct answer. "Mendacious" does in a sense reduplicate the sense of lying, but in so doing, it strengthens the indictment against such persons. Particularly, "ingenuous" captures Suzanne's innocent and unsuspecting personality.
From the context, it would seem that Suzanne has a rather innocent and naïve personality. (She misses even the most well known scoundrels.) Now, we might call the liar "notable," but in this case, "forgiving" does not completely fit as well as does the correct answer. "Mendacious" does in a sense reduplicate the sense of lying, but in so doing, it strengthens the indictment against such persons. Particularly, "ingenuous" captures Suzanne's innocent and unsuspecting personality.
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