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Difficulty: HardCollocation and Idiomatic Fit

Complete the passage below by filling in each blank with the word or phrase that satisfies standard academic English collocation and idiomatic fit.

Answer:Although the cognitive scientist's novel theoretical framework regarding cross-modal neural plasticity was initially dismissed by traditionalists as being at 【variance with】 established evolutionary principles, subsequent empirical data gathered from non-invasive neuroimaging demonstrated that her findings were actually fully commensurate 【with】 long-standing histological observations documented throughout the preceding decade.

Answer

Blank 1 is filled by 'variance with' (or 'odds with') to complete the standard idiom 'at variance with'. Blank 2 is filled by 'with' to complete the adjective-preposition collocation 'commensurate with'.
In standard academic writing, 'at variance with' is the mandatory fixed idiom used to indicate divergence or conflict between concepts. Furthermore, the adjective 'commensurate' strictly governs the preposition 'with' when establishing proportional or empirical correspondence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the concession signal 'Although' and the semantic context of Blank 1.
The clause indicates that the new framework clashed with existing principles, necessitating an idiomatic expression that means in conflict or disagreement.
Identifying the required semantic relationship informs the correct idiomatic phrase structure.
2
Identify the standard prepositional idiom initiated by 'at'.
In formal academic English, the fixed idiom denoting contradiction or inconsistency is 'at variance with' (or 'at odds with').
Unidiomatic pairings such as 'at variance to' or 'at variance from' break standard English collocation rules.
3
Determine the preposition required by the adjective 'commensurate' for Blank 2.
The adjective 'commensurate' idiomatically pairs exclusively with the preposition 'with' when asserting alignment or corresponding scale.
Substitutions like 'commensurate to' or 'commensurate for' represent false collocations common in unedited prose.

Key Concept

Collocation and Idiomatic Fit
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Topics

Collocation and Idiomatic Fit

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