Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

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Question

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Otto had long ruled with great force and authority. In his old age, feeble health rendered him                      in comparison with his former vigor.

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Answer

Although it might be tempting to choose one of the words related to old age, such as “senile” or “downtrodden,” it is necessary to pay heed to the key words “force and authority.” While “defenseless” may seem to contrast this, it doesn’t match the sense as well as “impotent,” which directly signifies a lack of power. It is derived from the “in-” prefix that means “not” (in this case) and “potent,” which means “having strength or power.” The latter is derived from the Latin for “to be able” as well as other words meaning “power.” Related English words are “potency,” “possible,” “potential,” “omnipotent,” and “potentate.”

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