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Notice that we cannot rely on common contrast and agreement signal words as a guide for how to fill the first blank in this question; we must rely heavily on context clues in order to avoid a trap answer.

If we were to simply consider the part of the sentence that states “by changing her platform to one that would be more (i)__________ among the voters in her district, she undermined support for her campaign,” we would see the agreement signal “by” and immediately gravitate toward choice (B), controversial (causing disagreement). After all, “changing her platform to one that would be more controversial” logically would result in her having “undermined (weakened) support for her campaign.”

However, we must notice that the scenario is introduced with the word “ironically.” This is an important clue because it tells us that the result of the candidate’s action was the opposite of what was intended or expected. So, the blank (i) answer actually needs to create a contrast, not agreement. In other words, “controversial” is the opposite of what makes sense in this context.

Because the outcome of the candidate’s action was ironic, “popular” is the answer choice that makes the most sense. After all, “by changing her platform to one that would be more popular among the voters in her district,” logically, she must have intended to strengthen support for her campaign. Ironically, she undermined support. Choice (A) is correct for blank (i).

Choice (C), patriotic, does not clearly convey the irony of the situation. Would a more “patriotic” platform attract or repel voters? Without further context, we have no way of knowing. Additionally, the phrasing “changing her platform to one that would be more patriotic among the voters” doesn’t quite make sense. How can a platform itself be “more patriotic among the voters”? A platform could be considered more patriotic or viewed as more patriotic among the voters, but the platform itself cannot possibly be more patriotic among voters.

Looking at the blank (ii), we can see that “because voters branded her as (ii)__________” provides an explanation for the ironic result of the candidate’s actions, so we need an answer choice that agrees with the fact that “by changing her platform to one that would be more popular among the voters in her district, she undermined support for her campaign.”

“Subtle” (not obvious) is unsupported by the passage. We are not given any evidence that the candidate was subtle in changing her platform or completely blatant in doing so. So, we have no reason to think that “voters branded her as subtle.” Nor can we say that being “subtle” as a politician would be something that would undermine one’s campaign; perhaps being “subtle” would be an asset.

“Steadfast” (firm and unchanging) is the opposite of what makes sense in the context of “changing her platform.”

“Unreliable,” which is basically an antonym of “steadfast” in this context, is the only choice that directly relates to “changing her platform” and creates the necessary agreement with the fact that “she undermined support.” Why was support undermined? “Because voters branded her as unreliable.” Why would they brand her as unreliable? As a result of her “changing her platform.”

LEARNING JOURNAL

What went wrong, and what can you do differently next time?

Was there a particular sticking point, breakdown in your logic or conceptual knowledge, bad habit, or careless mistake that led you to the wrong answer? At what point in your process did that error occur?

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