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Difficulty: Very hardTone and Connotation Matching

While the museum curator praised the restoration team for their meticulous effort in stabilizing the centuries-old tapestry, she firmly rejected the assertion that their intervention was ________, arguing that far from exhibiting the heavy-handed arrogance of historical re-creation, the conservators had exercised a commendable, unobtrusive reverence for the original artifact.

Which of the following words best completes the sentence to satisfy the passage's specific connotative requirement?

  1. presumptuousAnswer
  2. B
    assertive
  3. C
    enterprising
  4. D
    rigorous
  5. E
    unscrupulous

Answer

The word 'presumptuous' best completes the sentence by matching both the denotative meaning of overstepping bounds and the pejorative tone established by the phrase 'heavy-handed arrogance.'
The sentence establishes a clear contrast between an unjust accusation and the actual demeanor of the conservators. The phrase 'heavy-handed arrogance' defines the negative valence of the charge being rejected. The word 'presumptuous' carries the precise pejorative connotation of taking liberties or overstepping proper boundaries, perfectly fitting the context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze structural transition signals and sentence polarity.
The clause 'far from exhibiting the heavy-handed arrogance...' indicates that the rejected assertion accused the team of arrogance and overreaching.
Understanding the contrast between the rejected accusation and the actual behavior ('unobtrusive reverence') establishes the required connotative tone of the blank.
2
Determine the required tone and connotative valence for the target blank.
The blank requires a word that carries a negative, pejorative connotation of overstepping proper boundaries or acting with overbearing confidence.
The sentence specifically contrasts 'heavy-handed arrogance' with 'unobtrusive reverence', requiring a word that conveys intrusive presumption.
3
Evaluate the option choices against the required connotative valence.
Options describing 'assertive', 'enterprising', and 'rigorous' behavior denote active or thorough effort but carry neutral or positive connotations. 'Unscrupulous' is overly extreme in moral condemnation. Only 'presumptuous' precisely matches the pejorative connotation of arrogant overreach.
Selecting a word in GRE Text Completion requires matching both denotative definition and exact emotional valence.

Key Concept

Tone and Connotation Matching
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Topics

Tone and Connotation Matching

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