Analyzing the Passage Completion Question

The question asks us to fill in two blanks in a sentence from a passage to make it grammatically correct and logically coherent. The sentence is: "We have already said that inconsistency is not a matter of __________ education or lack of logical ______________." We need to choose the pair of words that best fits these blanks.

Evaluating the Options for Sentence Completion

Let's look at each option and see how the words fit into the sentence:

• Option 1: "indefinite, stupor"
  • Substituting these gives: "We have already said that inconsistency is not a matter of indefinite education or lack of logical stupor."
  • "Indefinite education" doesn't make clear sense in this context. "Logical stupor" implies a state of mental dullness regarding logic, but "lack of logical stupor" would mean having logical sharpness, which doesn't logically lead to inconsistency. This option does not fit.
• Option 2: "institutional, shiver"
  • Substituting these gives: "We have already said that inconsistency is not a matter of institutional education or lack of logical shiver."
  • "Institutional education" could refer to formal schooling. However, "lack of logical shiver" is nonsensical. This option does not fit.
• Option 3: "inadequate, rigour"
  • Substituting these gives: "We have already said that inconsistency is not a matter of inadequate education or lack of logical rigour."
  • "Inadequate education" means not having enough or sufficient education, which could potentially contribute to inconsistency, but the sentence structure suggests inconsistency *isn't* just about this. "Lack of logical rigour" means a lack of strictness, accuracy, or precision in thinking or reasoning. Inconsistency often arises precisely because logical rigour is missing. This pair makes sense in the context of discussing the causes or nature of inconsistency.
• Option 4: "inadvertent, snigger"
  • Substituting these gives: "We have already said that inconsistency is not a matter of inadvertent education or lack of logical snigger."
  • "Inadvertent education" means accidental or unintentional education, which doesn't fit. "Logical snigger" is nonsensical. This option does not fit.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Words

Comparing the options, the pair "inadequate, rigour" from Option 3 provides words that logically complete the sentence. The sentence implies that inconsistency is not simply due to not having enough formal education ("inadequate education") or just a simple lack of adherence to strict logical principles ("lack of logical rigour"). It suggests inconsistency might stem from something else, but the phrase "lack of logical rigour" is a very common and appropriate way to describe why someone might be inconsistent in their arguments or thoughts.

Thus, the most appropriate completion is:

"We have already said that inconsistency is not a matter of inadequate education or lack of logical rigour."

The first blank is filled with 'inadequate', and the second blank is filled with 'rigour'.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information on Inconsistency and Logic

Inconsistency can appear in various forms, from simple contradictions in statements to more complex logical fallacies in arguments. While education can certainly help develop critical thinking skills and logical reasoning, the passage suggests that merely having received a certain amount of education (or lacking it) isn't the sole cause of inconsistency. Similarly, "lack of logical rigour" directly addresses the failure to apply strict and consistent logical principles, which is a primary source of inconsistency.

Understanding common logical fallacies and practicing consistent reasoning are key to avoiding inconsistency. It's not just about *knowing* logic (which inadequate education might affect), but about consistently *applying* logical rigour in one's thinking and communication.