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Difficulty: Very hardTone and Connotation Matching

Complete the passage below by filling in each blank with the word that best maintains contextual tone and connotative coherence across the text.

Answer:Far from providing an 【evenhanded】 account of the council’s internal strife, the chronicler's narrative was blatantly 【tendentious】, glossing over the mayor's flagrant corruption while portraying his political adversaries as utterly malevolent.

Answer

Blank 1 requires a word connoting neutrality and fairness (such as 'evenhanded' or 'impartial'). Blank 2 requires a word with a strongly biased, partisan connotation (such as 'tendentious' or 'partisan') to match the description of whitewashing corruption while demonizing opponents.
The sentence relies on a contrast structure initiated by 'Far from'. The detailed context describes a chronicler who excuses corruption and vilifies opponents, which defines a heavily biased, partisan stance. Therefore, Blank 2 requires a term denoting calculated bias ('tendentious' or 'partisan'), while Blank 1 requires a term denoting strict neutrality ('evenhanded' or 'impartial') to complete the contrast.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze structural contrast clues in the sentence
The opening phrase 'Far from providing...' sets up a direct contrast between the character of the ideal account (Blank 1) and the actual nature of the chronicler's narrative (Blank 2).
Identifying transition signals determines the directional relationship between the two blanks.
2
Determine contextual valence and tone for Blank 2
The clause 'glossing over the mayor's flagrant corruption while portraying his political adversaries as utterly malevolent' reveals a heavily slanted, one-sided, and unfair commentary.
The textual evidence indicates an extreme partisan bias rather than objective historical recording.
3
Infer word meanings for both blanks based on tone matching
Blank 2 must mean biased or calculated to promote a specific partisan perspective ('tendentious' or 'partisan'). Because of the contrast signal 'Far from', Blank 1 must be the polar opposite in tone: neutral, fair, and objective ('evenhanded' or 'impartial').
Matching both semantic definition and connotative valence ensures full contextual coherence.

Key Concept

Tone and Connotation Matching
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Tone and Connotation Matching

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