Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The sentence structure, starting with "Because," indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. The quality of the lawyer's methods (the cause) led to a specific action by the disciplinary committee (the effect).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
A disciplinary committee takes action against a professional's privileges when there has been wrongdoing. Therefore, the first blank must be a word with a negative connotation, describing unethical or improper methods. The second blank must be a negative action taken against the lawyer's privileges, such as suspending or taking them away.
Let's analyze the options:
- (A) unimpeachable...suspended: "Unimpeachable" means beyond doubt or criticism (a positive word). This contradicts the negative action of "suspended".
- (B) ingenious...withdrew: "Ingenious" (clever) is positive and does not fit the context of disciplinary action.
- (C) questionable...expanded: "Questionable" fits the negative context, but the committee would not have "expanded" (increased) his privileges as a result.
- (D) unscrupulous...revoked: "Unscrupulous" means dishonest or without moral principles, a strong negative word. "Revoked" means to officially cancel or take back. This pair creates a perfectly logical cause-and-effect relationship.
- (E) reprehensible...augmented: "Reprehensible" (deserving condemnation) is a fitting negative word, but "augmented" (increased) is the opposite of the expected action.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The lawyer's dishonest ("unscrupulous") methods caused the committee to take away ("revoked") his privileges.