Read the sentence, looking for clues
The structural clue in this sentence is the comma after "tendencies," which
indicates that the tendencies Bela has will be explained in the clause coming up.
Note the word "contravene," which means contradict. Even without knowing the
definition of "contravene," it should be clear that the prefix "contra" means
"against." Bela likes to go against the intentions of others.
Predict an answer
Someone who likes to go against the intentions of others could be described as
having "provocative" or "opposing" tendencies.
Select the choice that most closely matches your
prediction
(B) contrarian, or "taking the opposite position," fits well with the
prediction and is the correct answer. A person who tends to take the opposite
position would contravene others' intentions.
(A) consummate means "perfectly
skilled or of the highest degree" and doesn't follow from liking to go against
others. (C) maniacal has the root
"maniac" and in fact means "like a maniac." A maniac might engage in the described
behavior, but there is no logical reason to think of a maniac when presented merely
with the fact that the person likes to contravene others. (D) importunate means "overly persistent," and
doesn't fit in with this sentence's clues. (E) meritorious means "deserving honor and esteem." Someone who likes to
go against others wouldn't automatically be described as deserving honor. Note that
although the vocabulary is difficult in this question, there are clues that we can
glean from the roots of the words.
Check your answer
Bela, a person with contrarian
tendencies, eagerly sounds the intentions of others so that he might contravene
them.
TAKEAWAY: Use both the structural clues and clues from the roots of the words in
order to eliminate wrong choices.
