Choose the most appropriate pair of words from the options given below to complete the following sentence. The high level of __________ of the questions in the test was __________ by an increase in the period of time allotted for answering them. A. difficulty, compensated B. exactitude, magnified C. exertion, mitigated D. attitude, mitigated

GATE 2012 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · hard

Answer: A. difficulty, compensated — 'The high level of difficulty of the questions was compensated by an increase in the period of time allotted for answering them' is the most precise and idiomatic completion.

1. Fill blank 1: quality of test questions: The sentence says 'high level of _____ of the questions'. Options for blank 1: difficulty (hardness), exactitude (extreme precision), exertion (physical/mental effort), attitude (mindset). 'High level of difficulty of the questions' is the standard collocation for hard test questions. 'Exertion' and 'attitude' do not collocate well with 'questions'. 'Exactitude' is possible but unusual in this context.
2. Fill blank 2: effect of increased time allowance: The blank comes in the passive: 'was _____ by an increase in time'. The blank must mean 'balanced out' or 'offset'. Options: compensated (offset/balanced), magnified (increased — wrong direction), mitigated (lessened — also possible). Pairing with difficulty: 'high level of difficulty was compensated by extra time' is a natural and correct expression. 'Mitigated' works logically too, but Option C pairs it with 'exertion' (which is weaker for blank 1).