GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningMedium
A climatologist explained that while short-term weather patterns can be highly ______ and difficult to predict, long-term climate trends often exhibit a surprising degree of consistency and predictability.
- Auniform
- Bvolatile
- Cstable
- Dstatic
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. volatile
The sentence contrasts 'short-term weather patterns' with 'long-term climate trends.' The long-term trends are described as having 'consistency and predictability.' Therefore, the short-term patterns must be the opposite: inconsistent and unpredictable. 'Volatile' means liable to change rapidly and unpredictably.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Uniform' means remaining the same in all cases and at all times; unvarying, which contradicts 'difficult to predict'.
- C. 'Stable' means not likely to change or fail; firmly established, which contradicts the unpredictable nature of short-term weather.
- D. 'Static' means lacking in movement, action, or change, which contradicts the idea of changing weather patterns.
Temporal Contrast (Stability vs. Variability)
A text completion pattern that highlights a difference in characteristics between short-term and long-term phenomena, often related to stability or changeability.
- Key phrases include 'short-term vs. long-term,' 'while...often,' 'can be...but exhibit.'
- The blank typically describes the short-term characteristic as variable or unpredictable.
- The contrasting long-term characteristic is usually stability or predictability.
Memory trick: Short bursts of chaos, long stretches of calm, time's contrast keeps us from harm.