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Difficulty: EasyAnalyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues

Although the reviewer claimed to remain neutral, her use of glowing adjectives revealed an unmistakable _______ for the novel. Which two of the following options best complete the sentence to produce sentences with logically coherent and equivalent meanings?

  1. predilectionAnswer
  2. B
    indifference
  3. partialityAnswer
  4. D
    animosity
  5. E
    skepticism
  6. F
    erudition

Answer

The words 'predilection' and 'partiality' correctly complete the sentence with equivalent meanings, expressing a positive bias that contrasts with being neutral.
The sentence relies on a contrast signaled by 'Although'. The reviewer claimed to be neutral, but her 'glowing adjectives' reveal the opposite: a positive liking. 'Predilection' and 'partiality' both mean a special preference or bias in favor of something, satisfying both the sentence context and the requirement for pair equivalence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify structural contrast signals
The word 'Although' at the start indicates a contrast between what the reviewer claimed ('neutral') and what her writing revealed.
Contrast transitions signal that the blank must express an attitude opposite to neutrality.
2
Analyze contextual valence clues
The phrase 'glowing adjectives' provides a distinctly positive valence clue.
The blank must express a positive inclination or favorable bias rather than negative hostility or neutral detachment.
3
Select the synonym pair matching the positive inclination tone
'Predilection' and 'partiality' both denote a strong liking or favorable bias, completing the sentence coherently.
Both words complete the sentence to convey the exact same positive meaning.

Key Concept

Contextual Tone and Valence Clues
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Topics

Analyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues

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