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Difficulty: EasyAnalyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues

Far from being a mere exercise in pedantry, the historian's meticulous cross-referencing of primary sources was enthusiastically praised by her peers as a ________ contribution to the field. Which of the following words best completes the sentence by matching the positive valence established by the contextual clues?

  1. exemplaryAnswer
  2. B
    superficial
  3. C
    tedious
  4. D
    ambiguous
  5. E
    hostile

Answer

The word 'exemplary' best fits the blank because it aligns with the positive contextual clues of peer praise and meticulous work.
The introductory clause 'Far from being a mere exercise in pedantry' indicates that the work should be viewed positively rather than dismissed as trivial. Coupled with the phrase 'enthusiastically praised by her peers', the sentence requires a word with a strongly positive valence. 'Exemplary' means serving as a desirable model or representing the best of its kind, fitting the positive tone perfectly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify structural transition signals and valence clues in the sentence stem.
The opening phrase 'Far from being...' sets up a contrast with negative 'pedantry', indicating the contribution is valuable. Furthermore, 'enthusiastically praised' directly establishes a strongly positive valence.
Contextual clues and polarity markers dictate the sentiment required for the blank.
2
Evaluate the option choices against the required positive tone.
Among the options, 'exemplary' signifies commendable and laudable quality, perfectly matching the positive context.
Selecting a word with matching connotative polarity completes the sentence logically.

Key Concept

Identifying Contextual Valence and Polarity Clues
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Topics

Analyzing Contextual Tone and Valence Clues

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