GRE^® Verbal Practice | Sentence Equivalence Q7

This is an interesting GRE sentence equivalence question that highlights how the use of the word "But" helps decode the answer to the question. Try the question without looking at the answer explanation. If you face difficulty in arriving at the correct answer, take help from the detailed explanation provided below.

Question 7: Since the invention of computers, chips and processors have become smaller and simpler, but computer programs have become increasingly _________.

1. anomalous
2. efficient
3. byzantine
4. treacherous
5. labyrinthine
6. intransigent

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Explanatory Answer

Meanings for the words given in this question are provided in the table. Before going through the detailed explanation, check whether you are able to arrive at the answer after knowing meanings for the words.

S No.	Word	Meaning
1	Anomalous	Deviating from the norm.
2	Efficient	Competent and capable. Wasting little resources.
3	Byzantine	Complex
4	Treacherous	Unsafe and difficult
5	Labyrinthine	Complex
6	Intransigent	Uncompromising and adamant

This is an easy sentence because the word “but” draws out a simple contrast between the evolution of hardware and software. “But” implies an opposing relationship between the two parts of the sentence, so while hardware has become smaller and simpler, computer programs have gone in the opposing direction – they have become larger and more unwieldy. Answer options C and E fit the best.

Choices C & E are the correct answers.