Solving the Sentence Completion Question: Internal Administration

Let's break down this fill-in-the-blanks question to understand how to choose the right words for the sentence: "His internal administration, though not _________ rigorous to check abuses, was _________ and thoughtful."

The sentence describes characteristics of an "internal administration". It presents a contrast using the word "though". The administration was lacking in one area ("not _________ rigorous to check abuses") but possessed positive qualities ("was _________ and thoughtful"). We need words that fit these two contrasting descriptions.

Analyzing the Blanks in the Sentence

The first blank modifies "rigorous". It needs an adverb or adjective that indicates the degree or manner of rigor. The phrase "not _________ rigorous" suggests that the rigor was insufficient for a specific purpose (checking abuses).

The second blank describes the nature of the "internal administration", alongside "thoughtful". It needs an adjective that reflects a positive or neutral quality, contrasting with the lack of sufficient rigor but aligning with "thoughtful".

Evaluating the Options for Internal Administration

Let's look at each option and see if the words fit logically and grammatically into the sentence.

• Option 1: adequately, lament

  If we insert these words, the sentence becomes: "His internal administration, though not adequately rigorous to check abuses, was lament and thoughtful."

  "Adequately rigorous" makes sense, meaning rigorous enough. However, "was lament and thoughtful" does not make sense. 'Lament' is usually a verb meaning to express sorrow, or a noun meaning an expression of grief. It doesn't fit here as an adjective describing administration.

• Option 2: sufficiently, upright

  If we insert these words, the sentence becomes: "His internal administration, though not sufficiently rigorous to check abuses, was upright and thoughtful."

  "Sufficiently rigorous" means rigorous enough, similar to "adequately rigorous". So, "not sufficiently rigorous" fits the first blank, implying a lack of necessary rigor. "Was upright and thoughtful" describes the character of the administration. 'Upright' means honest or just. An honest and thoughtful administration is a logical concept. This option fits both blanks well.

• Option 3: perpetually, crooked

  If we insert these words, the sentence becomes: "His internal administration, though not perpetually rigorous to check abuses, was crooked and thoughtful."

  "Perpetually rigorous" means always rigorous. While grammatically possible, it doesn't create the intended contrast as clearly as "not sufficiently rigorous". More importantly, "was crooked and thoughtful" is a contradiction. 'Crooked' means dishonest. An administration cannot logically be both dishonest and thoughtful in a positive sense in this context.

• Option 4: rightly, gaudy

  If we insert these words, the sentence becomes: "His internal administration, though not rightly rigorous to check abuses, was gaudy and thoughtful."

  "Rightly rigorous" is not a standard phrase and doesn't fit grammatically or meaningfully in the first blank. 'Rightly' usually modifies verbs (e.g., judged rightly). "Was gaudy and thoughtful" is also an unlikely combination. 'Gaudy' means showy or tastelessly decorated, which is not a term typically used to describe the nature of administration.

Identifying the Correct Option

Based on the analysis, Option 2 provides words that logically and grammatically complete the sentence, maintaining the intended contrast and description of the internal administration.

The completed sentence is: "His internal administration, though not sufficiently rigorous to check abuses, was upright and thoughtful."

Explanation of the Chosen Words

Sufficiently: This adverb means "to a degree great enough to accomplish a purpose; adequately." In the sentence, "not sufficiently rigorous" means the administration's strictness or thoroughness was not enough to effectively prevent or deal with abuses.

Upright: This adjective means "strictly honorable or honest." Describing an administration as "upright and thoughtful" indicates that despite its lack of sufficient rigor in checking abuses, its fundamental character was honest, just, and considerate.

The sentence structure effectively contrasts a practical failing (lack of sufficient rigor to check abuses) with positive underlying characteristics (uprightness and thoughtfulness) of the internal administration.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary for Administration Description

Additional Information: Describing Administration

When describing an administration, we often use words that relate to its efficiency, fairness, transparency, effectiveness, and character. The question highlights two aspects: effectiveness in checking abuses (related to rigor) and underlying moral character (related to uprightness and thoughtfulness).

• Words related to effectiveness/efficiency: efficient, effective, bureaucratic, slow, responsive, competent, ineffective.
• Words related to character/fairness: just, fair, transparent, corrupt, biased, equitable, ethical, dishonest.
• Words related to strictness/control: strict, lax, tight, loose, controlled, unregulated.

Understanding these different facets helps in choosing the right vocabulary to accurately describe the qualities of an administration in various contexts, including sentence completion exercises.