GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningMedium
Studies on the effect of caffeine on cognitive performance have yielded ______ results; some indicate a significant improvement in alertness and reaction time, while others show little to no measurable impact, or even detrimental effects in certain individuals. This variability suggests that individual physiological differences play a crucial role in how caffeine is metabolized and affects brain function. Which word, if inserted into the blank, best completes the sentence?
- Aunambiguous
- Bequivocal
- Cconsistent
- Ddefinitive
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. equivocal
The passage states that some studies show improvement, while others show little impact or detrimental effects, indicating a lack of clear, uniform findings. 'Equivocal' means open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous, which perfectly describes these 'variable' and sometimes contradictory results.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Unambiguous means not open to more than one interpretation, which contradicts the 'variable' results.
- C. Consistent means acting or done in the same way over time, which contradicts the 'variable' results.
- D. Definitive means conclusive and authoritative, which contradicts the 'variable' and inconclusive results.
Text Completion: Contradictory Evidence
Choosing a word that describes findings or evidence that are inconsistent, ambiguous, or lead to multiple interpretations.
- Look for phrases indicating conflicting data or conclusions.
- The blank often describes the *nature* of the results.
- Avoid words that imply clarity or uniformity when the text suggests otherwise.
Memory trick: Findings can be Clear, Conflicting, or Confusing.