Since Trump lost to Biden in November, he, and his allies have spent more than two months ____________ widespread voter fraud despite repeated failures to ____________ their claim.

**COLUMN I**
(i) corroborating
(ii) retaining
(iii) alleging

**COLUMN II**
(iv) substantiate
(v) culminate
(vi) abate

Question

Since Trump lost to Biden in November, he, and his allies have spent more than two months ____________ widespread voter fraud despite repeated failures to ____________ their claim.

**COLUMN I**  
(i) corroborating  
(ii) retaining  
(iii) alleging

**COLUMN II**  
(iv) substantiate  
(v) culminate  
(vi) abate

Accepted Answer

**Solution:**

1. Analyze the sentence: "Since Trump lost to Biden in November, he, and his allies have spent more than two months ____________ widespread voter fraud despite repeated failures to ____________ their claim."

2. The first blank requires a verb that fits with "widespread voter fraud" and the context of making a claim. 
   - (i) corroborating means to confirm or support, which does not fit because they are making the claim, not confirming it.
   - (ii) retaining means holding or keeping something, which does not fit the context of making a claim.
   - (iii) alleging means claiming or asserting something, which fits the context perfectly.

3. The second blank requires a verb that fits with "failures to ____________ their claim," meaning to provide proof or evidence.
   - (iv) substantiate means to provide evidence to support a claim, which fits perfectly.
   - (v) culminate means to reach a climax, which does not fit.
   - (vi) abate means to become less active, which does not fit.

4. Therefore, the correct pair is (iii) alleging and (iv) substantiate.

**Note:** The answer key given is (e) (ii) and (iv), but this is incorrect based on the meanings. The correct answer should be (d) (iii) and (iv).

**Answer:** (d) (iii) and (iv)

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