Read the sentence, looking for clues
In this sentence, the conjunction "and" links two positive attributes of the trip,
the first of which is that the trip was accomplished with "very little incident."
The second attribute must also reflect a positive attribute of the trip that might
have been a surprise, "considering" that the trip was long and the terrain
difficult.
Predict an answer
Since the answer is something that might not be expected for a long trip over
difficult terrain, predict something like "ease or speed."
Select the two choices that most closely match your
prediction
(E)
alacrity means "speed" in this context
and is therefore similar to (F) swiftness. These fit the prediction well and
are the correct answers.
(A) success and (C) results are positive but too general. They
don't specifically relate to difficult terrain and long distance. (B) renown and (D) accolades both suggest praise or acclaim.
Perhaps such a journey would receive praise after it is completed, but the sentence
is only discussing the journey itself and how "the journey was completed." It is
saying that even though there was difficult terrain and long distances, the journey
was completed with no incidents and with something else. Neither (B) nor (D) relates
to how the journey was completed.
Check your answers to see if the sentence retains the
same meaning
Considering the difficulty of the terrain and the great distance over which the
expedition traveled, the journey was completed with very little incident and with
noteworthy alacrity/swiftness.
TAKEAWAY: The correct answer choices not only have to yield complete sentences
that are similar in meaning, but also have to fit the meaning of the sentence as a
whole.
