Question: There are two gaps in each of the following sentences. From the pairs of words given, choose the one that fills the gaps most appropriately. The first word in the pair should fill the first gap.
The _____ regions of Spain all have unique cultures, but the _____ views within each region make the issue of an acceptable common language of instruction an even more contentious one.
A difficult question, perhaps because they (the paper setters) have given you synonyms of ‘different’ in all options. I suggest you skip this kind of question in the actual paper if possible (in earlier CAT papers you had choices!). For the first blank, the operative word is ‘different’. The regions have unique cultures and therefore they are different (unlike in form, quality, amount or nature).
‘Divergent’, you may be able to eliminate, because primarily it means ‘drawing apart from a common point’ and nothing in the sentence suggests that. So, let us eliminate option 3.
For the second blank, ‘competing’ does not fit that well. Competition is generally there for some advantage or a goal. The sentence does not suggest that either and therefore, we can do away with option 4.
Options 1 and 2 are very close, so instead of incorrect we would simply look at a more appropriate answer. We will go with option 1 because ‘different’ seems the best word for the first blank. Also, ‘disparate’ (option 2, word for the second blank) is slightly stretched for the sentence. ‘Disparate’ means ‘fundamentally distinct or different in kind; entirely dissimilar’ (too much!) and ‘containing or composed of dissimilar or opposing elements’. That is a bit extreme for a country.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.