GRE Sample Test 4 Verbal Reasoning 2

The detour road sign “although” contrasts the honor Pétain received for World War I with what he “incurred” during World War II. The sentence’s structure implies that the word in the blank will have a negative charge, so you can rule out the positive answer choices (A) status (“relative rank in a hierarchy”) and (C) kudos (“congratulations”). Choice (B) reputation doesn’t make sense—one earns a reputation; it is not “incurred”. Choice (D) recompense doesn’t make sense either, since the French wouldn’t compensate someone for a dishonorable action. That leaves you with the correct answer, (E) obloquy, “disgrace or public censure.” One would heap obloquy on a person who’s done something hateful, like collaborating with the enemy.