Directions: select the answer that best completes the sentence.
The new CEO of the company is both ________ and ________; he works twelve hours a day and has never had an alcoholic beverage.
(a) eccentric...permissive
(b) diligent...indulgent
(c) assiduous...abstinent
(d) admirable...noteworthy
(e) intrepid...nonchalant
Discussion: In this example, parallelism is the key. The second half of the sentence defines the terms in the first half. We are looking for a word that describes someone who works twelve hours a day, and another word that describes someone who never drinks. Choice (c), "assiduous" and "abstinent," is the clear answer.
Vocabulary:
- abstinent - having self-restraint; avoiding indulgences such as alcoholic beverages
- admirable - inspiring approval; excellent
- assiduous - persistent; studious; tireless
- diligent - industrious; tireless
- eccentric - unusual or peculiar
- indulgent - easygoing; permissive
- intrepid - brave; bold
- nonchalant - calm; cool
- noteworthy - distinguished; remarkable
- permissive - lax; lenient; tolerant
