The historian argued that the monarch's centralizing decrees were not merely symbolic assertions of authority; indeed, by systematically curtailing regional autonomy, these policies served to _________ royal control throughout the provinces, consequently consolidating absolute governance. Which two of the following options, when inserted into the blank, produce completed sentences that are coherent and identical in meaning?
- buttressAnswer
- fortifyAnswer
- Csubvert
- Dundermine
- Edelineate
- Fcodify
Answer
The correct selections are the options corresponding to 'buttress' and 'fortify'. Both words mean to strengthen or reinforce, perfectly completing the causal trajectory indicated by the structural signals.
The sentence uses the continuation signal 'indeed' to intensify the claim that the decrees were more than symbolic, and concludes with the causal phrase 'consequently consolidating absolute governance'. Therefore, the blank requires verbs that mean to strengthen or bolster. The options 'buttress' and 'fortify' both accurately express this reinforcement and produce sentences with identical meaning.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Interpreting Continuation and Causal Structural Signals in Sentence Equivalence
Estimated Time:1m 30s