A ________ investigation can sometimes yield new facts, but typically organized ones are more successful. The word that best fills the blank in the above sentence is A. meandering B. timely C. consistent D. systematic

GATE 2018 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium

Answer: A. meandering

1. Parse the sentence structure: Sentence pattern: 'A [TYPE 1] investigation can sometimes yield new facts, but typically [TYPE 2 = organized] ones are more successful.' The blank fills TYPE 1, which must contrast with 'organized'. TYPE 1 succeeds only occasionally, TYPE 2 typically succeeds.
2. Test each option: A. meandering: wandering, unplanned — contrasts with organized. CHECK. B. timely: done at the right time — no contrast with organized. FAIL. C. consistent: steady, regular — more of a synonym for organized. FAIL. D. systematic: follows a system — synonym for organized. FAIL.