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Question

Difficulty: MediumConnotation and Tone

The lead technician was commended for her exacting calibration of the navigation instruments before the vessel's departure.

Which of the following words is the closest synonym that matches the positive, professional tone of the underlined word?

  1. A
    nitpicking
  2. rigorousAnswer
  3. C
    lenient
  4. D
    drastic

Answer

rigorous
The word 'rigorous' accurately reflects the denotative meaning of 'exacting' (demanding strict precision and thorough standards) and matches the admiring, professional tone established by the context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context clues and emotional tone of the target sentence
The phrase 'was commended for' indicates that the technician's quality is viewed positively and professionally.
Understanding the surrounding context establishes whether the required synonym must have a positive, neutral, or negative connotation.
2
Evaluate the denotation and connotation of the target word 'exacting'
'Exacting' denotes demanding great care, effort, or strict attention to detail, and in this context carries a positive evaluative tone.
Both definition and tone must align to select the proper synonym.
3
Compare candidate options against both meaning and tone requirements
'Rigorous' matches both the requirement for strict thoroughness and the constructive, professional connotation, whereas 'nitpicking' introduces an unintended negative tone.
Eliminating tone mismatches and antonyms isolates the single best synonym.

Key Concept

Connotation and Tone in Synonym Selection
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Connotation and Tone

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