Question

1. ironically, the last three decades of the twentieth century ended as they began—with presidential ____________.

Explanation:

To solve this fill - in - the - blank question, we can consider the historical context of the United States in the last three decades of the 20th century (1970 - 1999). At the beginning of this period (around 1970s), there was the Watergate scandal which led to President Nixon's resignation, and at the end (around 1990s), there was the impeachment of President Clinton. So the word that fits here is "scandals" or "impeachment - related issues" (but more precisely, considering the parallel structure and common historical reference, "scandals" or "impeachment" can be considered. However, a more accurate term in the context of the start and end of these decades is "scandals" or "impeachment proceedings". But the most common fill - in here, considering the historical events (Watergate at the start and Clinton's impeachment at the end), the word "scandals" or "impeachment" can be used. But a more precise answer, given the historical parallel, is "scandals" or "impeachment". If we look at the start (Watergate was a scandal leading to resignation) and the end (Clinton's impeachment), the term "scandals" or "impeachment" works. But the most appropriate term here, based on historical events, is "scandals" (or "impeachment" can also be correct, but "scandals" is more general as Watergate was a scandal and Clinton's situation also had scandalous elements along with impeachment).

The last three decades of the 20th century (1970 - 1999) in the US began with the Watergate scandal (presidential scandal leading to Nixon's resignation) and ended with Clinton's impeachment - related issues (also having scandalous and impeachment elements). So the blank is filled with a term related to presidential scandals/impeachment. The most fitting term here, considering the parallel start and end, is "scandals" (or "impeachment" can also be correct, but "scandals" is a common fill - in for this context).

Answer:

scandals (or impeachment, depending on the exact historical focus, but "scandals" is a more general and common fill - in here)