Read the sentence, looking for clues
The key phrase "such...that" is a straight ahead roadsign, which indicates that
the second half of the sentence will help to explain the meaning of the missing
word. According to the sentence, the astrophysicist's solution was exceptionally
brilliant, so much so that even her colleagues couldn't grasp it without further
explanation.
Predict an answer
If the math principles involved stumped other astute, or "intelligent,"
astrophysicists, predict that these principles can be described as "complex" or
"difficult to understand."
Select the choice that most closely matches your
prediction
(E) recondite, meaning "abstruse" or "not easily understood," fits this
prediction and is the correct choice. The word itself, though, may be not easily
understood; if you weren't familiar with it, check the other choices. If the math
principles were (A) elementary, or
"basic and easy to understand," a group of astrophysicists would not require further
explanation to grasp them. (B) antediluvian means "outdated" or "primitive." While it is possible
that very old mathematical principles would be unknown to some people, "primitive"
does not reinforce the complexity of the principles conveyed by the sentence, so (B)
is incorrect. If the astrophysicist had used (C) inconsistent mathematical principles, ones that disagree with one
another, she would not have been able to come up with a brilliant solution.
Likewise, the astrophysicist could not have come up with a workable, much less
brilliant, solution if her mathematical principles were (D) erroneous, or "wrong."
Check your answer
The astrophysicist's solution to the problem of long-range space flight was based
on such recondite mathematical
principles that even her astute colleagues required further explication before they
could appreciate the brilliance of her proposal.
TAKEAWAY: Once you've eliminated 4 answer choices, whatever's left must be right,
even if you're not sure of its meaning.
