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Question

Difficulty: HardMulti-Blank Dependency Tracking

Which terms best complete the passage by filling in each corresponding blank in a logically coherent manner?

Answer:Far from proving that the cartographer's inclusion of mythical sea creatures was a mere 【subterfuge】 intended to disguise geographical ignorance, recent archival discoveries indicate that these illustrations served a recognized heraldic function; consequently, scholars must acknowledge that the document's empirical value was not 【compromised】 by such artistic flourishes.

Answer

For Blank 1: 'subterfuge' (or 'artifice' / 'expedient' / 'stratagem'); For Blank 2: 'compromised' (or 'vitiated' / 'undermined' / 'impaired')
The passage contrasts an assumed deceptive ploy with the true heraldic purpose of map illustrations. 'Subterfuge' (or synonymous terms like 'artifice') accurately captures the notion of a trick meant to disguise ignorance. In the second blank, 'compromised' (or 'vitiated') logically fits after 'not', indicating that the map's empirical accuracy remained uninjured despite the artistic additions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze structural transition signals in the passage
The opening pivot 'Far from proving that...' sets up a contrast between a rejected hypothesis about the mapmaker's motives and the actual historical reality introduced later in the sentence.
Understanding structural contrast signals is necessary to establish the polarity of the blanks.
2
Track inter-blank dependency for Blank 1
Blank 1 describes the supposed trick or cover-up ('intended to disguise geographical ignorance'). A word denoting deception or a deceptive trick such as 'subterfuge' or 'artifice' fits the requirement.
The phrase 'intended to disguise' directly dictates that Blank 1 must mean a deceptive device.
3
Track inter-blank dependency for Blank 2
The second clause begins with 'consequently' and asserts that because the illustrations served a legitimate heraldic purpose rather than masking ignorance, the empirical value was 'not [negatively affected]'. Therefore, Blank 2 requires a word like 'compromised' or 'vitiated'.
The negative marker 'not' combined with the positive finding about heraldic function requires a word meaning damaged or diminished so that 'not compromised' yields a positive evaluation of empirical value.

Key Concept

Multi-Blank Dependency Tracking
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Topics

Multi-Blank Dependency Tracking

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