Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardContrast and Reversal Clues

Complete the passage below by filling in each blank with a word that satisfies the logical contrast dictated by the structural signals in the text.

Answer:Although early reviewers praised the treatise for its 【scrupulous】 adherence to established empirical methods, subsequent critical reassessments demonstrated that the author’s methodology was, paradoxically, remarkably 【unorthodox】, departing substantially from traditional scientific protocols.

Answer

For blank 1: scrupulous (or meticulous / exacting / rigorous); for blank 2: unorthodox (or heterodox / revisionist / anomalous).
The passage relies on the concession pivot 'Although' and the contrast adverb 'paradoxically' to construct an opposition between initial impressions and actual methodology. The first blank requires a term expressing painstaking or thorough adherence (e.g., 'scrupulous'), whereas the second blank requires a term denoting departure from established rules (e.g., 'unorthodox').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the contrast structural signals in the passage.
The initial concession signal 'Although' sets up an opposition between early praise and later reassessments, while 'paradoxically' introduces an unexpected contradiction between perceived adherence and actual execution.
Structural pivot words indicate that the meanings of the words in the two blanks must stand in semantic contrast to one another.
2
Determine the target meaning for blank 1.
Blank 1 describes the nature of 'adherence to established empirical methods' that earned praise. It requires an adjective signifying strict, thorough, or careful compliance, such as 'scrupulous' or 'meticulous'.
The phrase describes favorable early reception regarding rule compliance.
3
Determine the target meaning for blank 2.
Blank 2 describes a methodology that 'departed substantially from traditional scientific protocols'. Guided by 'paradoxically', it requires a term signifying non-traditional, unconventional, or divergent practice, such as 'unorthodox' or 'heterodox'.
The reversal signal and the elaboration clause both demand a word indicating a break from convention.

Key Concept

Leveraging structural concession signals ('Although') and reversal adverbs ('paradoxically') to solve multi-blank text completions.
Rate this question

Topics

Contrast and Reversal Clues

More questions from this topic