16Hit1600
Craft and StructureVery hardWord for an argument that undermines itself

Craft and Structure practice question

The minister's defence was ____: in insisting that the leak had done no harm, he confirmed that there had been a leak.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

  1. A. self-defeatingCorrect
  2. B. persuasive
  3. C. exhaustive
  4. D. conciliatory

Answer: A. self-defeating

The defence proves what it wished to deny.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. persuasive
It gave away the point.
C. exhaustive
Completeness is not the issue.
D. conciliatory
Nothing conciliatory is described.

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