Because the survey data were ______, the committee postponed its decision until a larger sample could be collected.
- Adecisive
- Binconclusive
- Cvoluminous
- Dredundant
- Eflattering
Practice bank · Verbal
Text completion: because sets up the justification
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Correct answer: B
The effect is stated: the committee postponed and wants a larger sample. The cause in the blank must justify that. Data that settle the question would lead to a decision, not a delay, so the blank needs a word meaning “not settling the question.”
- (B) inconclusive means not leading to a firm conclusion. Inconclusive data justify postponement and a bigger sample. Correct.
- (A) decisive is the opposite: decisive data would trigger a decision now.
- (C) voluminous means very large in quantity; a desire for a larger sample might suggest small data, not large, and volume alone does not force a postponement.
- (D) redundant means needlessly repetitive; redundant data would not require new collection at all.
- (E) flattering is off topic; the sentence is about whether the data answer the question, not how they make anyone look.
Notice the pairing: blank + stated action. Every causal sentence completion is an equation where the blank must equal the explanation of the action. Postponement plus more sampling equals uncertainty. Only inconclusive states uncertainty directly.