Marcy Shieh Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 I was reviewing the attached question in the ETS Verbal Guide and wondered why it is "devolve" and not "appropriate" in this context. I understand that a) bureaucrats guard their power and b) so in this case, they're transferring their power. However, by "appropriating" their power to someone else can suggest that they are allocating their power elsewhere. To me, "devolve" and "appropriate" both serve the same meaning in this context, so what is the key term in this sentence that tips it off that it should be "devolve"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cool cat Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 I don't know if this is absolutely correct or maybe the words have multiple meanings, but appropriate means to take by force. It is usually used in terms of colonial power, so devolve would be the correct answer, which means to transfer power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiragbansal002 Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 European commission is a higher (continent level) authority who are trying to transfer power to national governments. Devolve means to transfer power from a higher level to a lower level government. Appropriate, just like cool cat said, means "to take (to one's own use) by force". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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