SRCC GBO 2015 Question Paper

The key to solving this question is understanding the contrast implied by "she refused to consider the possibility that ..." This suggests that the blank should be something that contradicts "candid and trustworthy." Let us inspect the given words based on this understanding - 

Option A: This doesn’t directly contradict candor or trustworthiness. Someone can be candid and trustworthy yet say something irrelevant.

Option B: A facetious remark is joking or not meant to be taken seriously, which could contradict "candid" (which implies sincerity). However, this would largely depend on the context. A strong contender but perhaps less apt in this case.

Option C: Being mistaken does not necessarily contradict candidness or trustworthiness. A person can honestly believe something that turns out to be wrong.

Option D: This would fit well in the blank since it directly contradicts the idea conveyed using the words "candid" and "trustworthy." 

Hence, Option D is the best choice.

The statement implies that with so much data and news to go around, we tend to favor a particular type of account for easily digestible portions.
Let's take a look at each option individually:
Option A: insular means narrow-minded, which would not be appropriate given the context of digestible news. 
Option B: investigative means an in-depth analysis filled with details, which goes against the idea of digestible news. 
Option C: synoptic means providing a summary that best aligns with the given idea. Since there is so much data, we are driven to synoptic accounts that provide summarized versions of this information.
Option D: Subjective here can be eliminated on the same basis as insular since that is not what the sentence is trying to say. 

Therefore, Option C is the correct answer. 

Conjecture means to guess about something without having real proof; this is what the statement means that there cannot be any numerical description of human population without any guess because there has been no census of all people in the world.

Option C is the correct answer.

Self-effacement is the quality of not claiming attention for oneself.

In this context, it contrasts well with the idea that only a few politicians forsake the centre stage, and a touch of not claiming attention could enhance their popularity.

The other options don't fit the context:
Option A: Garrulity means talkativeness, which wouldn't help with increasing popularity.
Option B: Misanthropy means disliking people, which would likely decrease popularity.
Option D: self-dramatization involves drawing attention to oneself dramatically, which could have the opposite effect of increasing popularity.

This idiom refers to the feeling of acting passionately, hence A is the correct answer. 

Option B is the correct answer.

"See eye to eye" means to have the same opinion or to agree on something.

The other options don't have the same meaning:
Option A: Staring at each other means looking at someone intensely, which is not what "see eye to eye" implies.
Option C: "Depend on" means relying or counting on someone, which is different from agreeing or having the same viewpoint.
Option D: Making an effort doesn't mean agreeing with someone.

The idiomatic phrase "to fall flat" means to fail to generate the intended effect, especially in terms of humour, ideas, or plans. It suggests that something was poorly received or unsuccessful. Only Option D is closest to this meaning, as it aligns with the idea of something failing to impress or engage others.

Sticking to one's guns means not changing and keeping one's stand when faced with opposition or counterarguments. 

Of the given options, A comes closest to capturing the idea of this phrase. 

Option B: It's not necessarily suspecting but keeping one's original opinion. Hence, this option can be eliminated. 

Option C: This, too, is unrelated to the interpretation of the phrase. 

Option D: The phrase does not mean to be satisfied with your own understanding but rather to stand your ground when argued against. 

Therefore, option A is the correct answer. 

To have the gift of the gab means to the ability to speak easily and confidently in a way that makes people want to listen to you and believe you.

Hence, the answer is A talent for speaking.

Option A is the correct answer.

"Talk shop" is an idiom that refers to discussing work-related topics. So, Option A which says talk about one's profession is the closest meaning.

Option B: "Talk shop" isn't related to shopping.
Option C: "Talk shop" doesn't imply mockery or making fun of something. 
Option D: "Talk shop" doesn’t mean to treat something lightly.