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Question

Difficulty: MediumConnotation and Tone

The safety inspector was recognized for her tenacious pursuit of underlying mechanical defects that had eluded previous maintenance checks.

Which of the following words is the closest synonym for tenacious that preserves its positive connotation of commendable persistence?

  1. A
    stubborn
  2. persistentAnswer
  3. C
    yielding
  4. D
    aggressive

Answer

persistent
The word 'tenacious' means holding fast or persistently maintaining a course of action. In this sentence, the context of being praised and recognized establishes a distinctly positive tone. 'Persistent' captures both the exact meaning of sustained effort and the admirable, positive connotation required.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context clues and tone surrounding the target word.
The target word 'tenacious' is framed favorably ('recognized for her... pursuit', finding issues that 'eluded previous checks'), indicating a positive connotation of thoroughness and tireless dedication.
Determining whether the author views the trait favorably, neutrally, or unfavorably is essential for tone-matching.
2
Evaluate the answer choices for shared denotation and matching evaluative tone.
'Persistent' matches both the literal meaning of continuing firmly in a course of action and the positive connotation of commendable effort, whereas 'stubborn' carries an undesirable connotation of unreasonable refusal to change.
Synonyms must align in both literal definition and emotional coloring.

Key Concept

Connotation and Tone Alignment in Synonyms
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Connotation and Tone

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