GRE Sample Test 2 Verbal Reasoning 1

Try working with the first blank first. The clue is artistic, and the transition and indicates the first blank should be a word that is the same as artistic. Expressive is the best choice; neither tedious nor tiresome works. Though changes the direction of the sentence—
though the studio likes the creative/artistic aspect, something negative must be happening to creativity—it’s brought down to a secondary position. Eliminate uplifted and compared for blank (ii) because they are not negative, and choose relegated. Turning to the third blank, “organization and hierarchy” are in opposition to creativity, so conflict with makes the most sense.