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Difficulty: MediumConnotation and Tone

Read the sentence contrasting different professional behaviors. Which words correctly fill in the blanks to reflect the respective positive and negative connotations required by the context?

Answer:While an intelligence analyst is commended for being 【inquisitive】 when researching complex reports, a staff member who inappropriately intrudes into colleagues' personal records is reprimanded for being 【prying】.

Answer

The first blank requires a word with a positive connotation of intellectual curiosity such as 'inquisitive', while the second blank requires a word with a negative connotation of unwanted intrusion such as 'prying'.
The word 'inquisitive' carries a favorable connotation of being eager to learn and intellectually engaged, which fits the commendation of the analyst. In contrast, 'prying' carries a derogatory connotation of offensive, intrusive curiosity, which aligns with the inappropriate behavior warranting a reprimand.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and evaluative tone of the first clause.
The word 'commended' signals a positive evaluation of thorough and eager fact-finding.
Identifying the positive tone indicator determines that the target word must express constructive curiosity.
2
Analyze the context and evaluative tone of the second clause.
The phrase 'inappropriately intrudes' and the word 'reprimanded' signal a negative evaluation of intrusive behavior.
Identifying the negative tone indicator establishes that the target word must carry a critical or derogatory connotation.
3
Select synonyms sharing the core meaning of seeking information that match the identified tonal requirements.
A word like 'inquisitive' fits the positive professional context, and a word like 'prying' fits the negative intrusive context.
Connotation differentiates words with similar basic definitions based on emotional and evaluative coloring.

Key Concept

Connotation and Tone
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Connotation and Tone

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