Sentence-Equivalence Questions

Select the ==two== answer choices that, if used to complete the sentence, fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole and produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning. --- While the county was expected to be inundated by the approaching blizzard, citizens were surprised when they woke up the next morning to find only \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of snow on the ground.

Incorrect. An _accretion_ is "the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter." This meaning contradicts the relationship between the __hinge word__ and __sentence key__. If things had gone the way the citizens expected them to, an _accretion_ of snow would have been the outcome. [[snippet]]

Incorrect. _Chagrin_ means "distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated." This meaning doesn't fit with the context of the sentence or the __sentence key__, _inundated by the approaching blizzard_, and the __hinge word__, _while_. You can also tell _chagrin_ isn't the right answer because it's a __partnerless answer choice__. In __sentence equivalence questions__, any word that doesn't have a corresponding synonym can't be the correct answer.

That's right! A _modicum_ is "a very small quantity of something." This meaning matches the relationship between the __sentence key__ and __hinge word__; although the county expected massive amounts of snow, only a _modicum_ of flakes actually fell.

Incorrect. [[snippet]] Often used in a legal context, an _abatement_ is "the reduction or lessening of something." This word doesn't match the context for the sentence or the relationship between the __hinge word__ and __sentence key__.

Correct! A _smattering_ is "a small amount of something." This meaning matches the __sentence key__ and __hinge word__ for the question; the county expected a blizzard, but received only a _smattering_ of snow.

Incorrect. [[snippet]] A _mound_ is a "pile" of something. This meaning goes against the __sentence key__ and __hinge word__ because it reflects the idea of the county getting a large amount of snow. In reality, you can see from the __hinge word__ that the word that fits in the blank has to do with the opposite of their expectations.

an accretion

a chagrin

a modicum

an abatement

a smattering

a mound

Proceed to step