单选题 Though he refused any responsibility for the failure of the negotiations, Stevenson had no right to______ himself: it was his______ that had caused the debacle.

【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】句意：尽管他拒绝为这次谈判的失败负任何责任，但Stevenson也没有权利为自己开脱罪责，因为正是由于他尖刻的言语导致这次的惨败。absolve开脱罪责。acrimony言语尖刻。blame责备，责怪。skill技巧。congratulate祝贺。modesty谦逊，朴实。berate严厉责备痛斥。largesse赏赐。