Examkin

Question

Difficulty: Very hardAnalyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues

Far from revealing the uncompromising hostility toward traditional jurisprudence that her critics had alleged, the philosopher's latest treatise presents a distinctly ________ perspective, subtly acknowledging the pragmatic utility of established legal precedents even as it highlights their theoretical inconsistencies.

Which of the following TWO answer choices, when inserted into the sentence, produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning and together form a coherent whole?

  1. measuredAnswer
  2. B
    iconoclastic
  3. temperateAnswer
  4. D
    tendentious
  5. E
    laudatory
  6. F
    dogmatic

Answer

The correct options are the words meaning restrained and balanced in tone, specifically 'measured' and 'temperate'.
The sentence relies on the initial contrast phrase 'Far from revealing', which signals that the treatise does not exhibit 'uncompromising hostility'. The second half of the sentence further clarifies the tone by showing that the author balances an acknowledgment of 'pragmatic utility' with an indication of 'theoretical inconsistencies'. Therefore, the blank requires words that denote moderation, balance, and restraint. The choices 'measured' and 'temperate' both precisely convey this qualified, balanced stance and yield sentences with equivalent meanings.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze structural contrast clues and contextual polarity.
The initial concession phrase 'Far from revealing the uncompromising hostility...' indicates that the target word must contrast with 'uncompromising hostility'.
Pivot phrases like 'Far from' reverse the expectation created by the critics' allegations of hostility.
2
Evaluate the elaboration clause following the blank.
The clause describes the treatise as 'subtly acknowledging the pragmatic utility... even as it highlights their theoretical inconsistencies', requiring a word that signifies moderation, balance, and qualification.
A treatise that weighs both practical benefits and theoretical flaws demonstrates a balanced, non-extreme attitude.
3
Select the pair of options that are semantically equivalent and contextually appropriate.
The options 'measured' and 'temperate' both mean moderate, restrained, and carefully considered.
Both words complete the sentence to convey the identical nuanced tone required by the context.

Key Concept

Analyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues in Sentence Equivalence
Rate this question

Topics

Analyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues

More questions from this topic