Read the sentence, looking for clues
The semicolon serves as a straight-ahead roadsign, indicating that the second part
of the sentence is an illustration of the first part. An explosion aboard a
submarine is a negative event, and the second part of the sentence points out that
the two parties, the navy and the sailors' families, are placing blame. The detour
roadsign "while" provides the clue that each side is blaming the other party for the
explosion.
Predict the answers
There are enough clues to predict for these blanks in order. Each party is
accusing the other of being at fault, so "accusations" works well as a prediction
for the first blank. What could the navy accuse the sailors of that would have led
to the explosion? This is the question that the second blank needs to answer. A
good prediction for the second blank is "lack of skill or ability." The third blank
is the sailors' families opportunity to play the blame game. What could have been
"inadequate" on the vessel and led to the explosion? "Equipment" works as a good
prediction for this blank.
Select the choices that most closely match your
predictions
(C)
recriminations is the best fit for the blank (i) prediction since it
means "accusations." (A) accolades,
which means "awards," is far to positive for the context of this sentence. (B)
reparations is related to blame, but
it specifically means "making amends for a wrong" and that does not match the
prediction.
(E) incompetence, which means "lack of ability to do something well," is a nice fit for the blank two
prediction. (D) diligence, which means
"energetic effort," has a positive connotation that does not match the clues. (F)
acrimony definitely has a negative
connotation, but it means "anger and bitterness" and does not match the
prediction.
(G) equipped, which means "to provide something with the necessary
supplies," matches the blank three prediction perfectly. (H) exonerated means "relieved of responsibility"
and makes no sense in this context. (I) emended is incorrect because it specifically refers to "correcting
errors in a written document," which does not fit the context.
Check your answers
The aftermath of the explosion aboard the submarine produced mutual (i) recriminations; the navy blamed the (ii)
incompetence of the crew, while the
sailors' families alleged that the vessel had been inadequately (iii) equipped.
TAKEAWAY: Semicolons are powerful straight-ahead roadsigns. They indicate a
continuation of thought and are often followed by an example. This provides a good
opportunity to use tone to eliminate incorrect answers.
