Read the sentence, looking for clues
In this sentence "when" is functioning as a cause-and-effect keyword relating the
two blanks to each other. The error her peers found was serious enough that Dr.
Snyder "retreated" to her lab to consider correcting her theory.
Predict the answer
An "important" or "significant" error would be cause for revision, and any word
with this meaning is a good prediction for the first blank.
The context clues "error" and "amending" indicate Dr. Snyder recognizes her theory
needs work, so she will likely "consider", "think about," or "begin to" make the
necessary changes. Any word indicating her revision is going forward is a good
prediction for the second blank.
Select the answer choices that most closely match
your predictions
(A) salient, meaning "of notable significance" or "prominence," is a
match to the prediction and the correct answer. (B) nugatory means "trifling" or "inconsquential," which is the opposite
of the idea that is needed and is incorrect. (C) equivocal means "uncertain" or "ambivalent" and is incorrect.
Peoples' opinions about Dr. Snyder's theory may be equivocal, but an error can't
be.
(E) ruminate, meaning "think about" or "ponder," matches the prediction
and is correct. (D) eschew means to shun
or turn away from. It is the opposite of the prediction and is incorrect.
(F) defer means "put off" or
"yield," and this is another opposite choice; Dr. Snyder wants to fix the
error.
Check your answer
When many of Dr. Snyder's peers were quick to point out a rather salient error in her calculations, she
retreated to the solitude of the lab to ruminate
over amending her theory.
TAKEAWAY: Use the relationship between the blanks to predict.
