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Difficulty: HardVocabulary-in-Context

The following passage is adapted from an essay on twentieth-century architectural theory.

In early twentieth-century architectural theory, Louis Sullivan’s dictum that 'form ever follows function' was widely interpreted as an imperative for radical minimalist utility, stripping buildings of all ornamentation. However, recent reassessments of Sullivan's organic philosophy demonstrate that he intended ornament not as an extraneous superfluity, but as an essential element that could arrest the stark, dehumanizing monotony of industrial masonry. For Sullivan, decorative relief did not contradict structural integrity; rather, it served to arrest the viewer's gaze, transforming a passive optical experience into a contemplative pause. Far from advocating total austerity, Sullivan believed that well-placed ornament animated the static plane of a facade. Critics who categorized his elaborate terra-cotta embellishments as mere nostalgic excess failed to perceive how such details functioned within his broader vision: they were meant to check the relentless velocity of modern urban perception. Thus, Sullivan’s decorative program was not a retreat from modernity, but a calculated strategy to humanize its relentless tempo.

In the context of the passage, the word 'arrest' most nearly means:

  1. A
    apprehend
  2. curbAnswer
  3. C
    eradicate
  4. D
    accentuate
  5. E
    accelerate

Answer

In the context of the passage, the word 'arrest' most nearly means 'curb'.
The correct option is 'curb' because the passage describes Sullivan using decorative ornament to interrupt the viewer's gaze and 'check the relentless velocity' of modern perception. In this context, 'arrest' carries the secondary meaning of halting, restraining, or holding in check.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage context surrounding the target word
The target word 'arrest' appears in relation to 'the stark, dehumanizing monotony of industrial masonry' and 'the viewer's gaze,' transforming optical experience into a 'contemplative pause.'
Determining word meaning in GRE Reading Comprehension requires identifying surrounding structural clues and contextual definitions rather than relying on literal memory.
2
Identify structural parallelisms and contrast signals
Later in the passage, the author explicitly states that ornamental details were meant to 'check the relentless velocity of modern urban perception.'
The verb 'check' acts as a direct contextual synonym for 'arrest,' indicating that both words mean to restrain, slow down, or bring to a halt.
3
Evaluate the option choices against the secondary contextual meaning
'Curb' means to restrain or hold in check, which matches the passage's emphasis on slowing down and interrupting modern urban velocity.
Polysemous words on the GRE test secondary definitions over primary dictionary definitions.

Key Concept

Vocabulary-in-Context Analysis
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Topics

Vocabulary-in-Context

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