Directions: select the answer that best completes the sentence.
The mayor is usually a ________ when speaking to local business owners, but on rare occasion she abandons the flattery and speaks her true opinions.
(a) disparager
(b) sycophant
(c) pedant
(d) novice
(e) sophist
Discussion: If we were to consider only the first half of the sentence, any one of the words is a possibility. The second half of the sentence provides the two important clues to the answer. The conjunction "but" tells us that the word in the blank will contrast with the phrase "speaks her true opinions." Also, the phrase "abandons the flattery" tells us that the missing word has something to do with flattery. The only word that fits these requirements is (b) sycophant.
Vocabulary:
- disparager - one who disparages; a person who reproaches or discredits someone or something
- sycophant - a flatterer; one who tries to please others for personal advantage
- pedant - one who shows off his or her learning; one who has more book learning than common sense
- novice - a beginner or apprentice
- sophist - usually a negative term describing someone who uses logic and reason to make questionable arguements
