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Question

Difficulty: MediumInterpreting Contrast and Concession Structural Signals

Granted that the architectural historian considered the ancient temple’s decorative motifs exceptionally ________, the structure’s overall floor plan was entirely conventional for the period. Which two of the following answer choices, when inserted into the blank, produce completed sentences that are logically equivalent and coherent in meaning?

  1. distinctiveAnswer
  2. B
    elaborate
  3. singularAnswer
  4. D
    mundane
  5. E
    routine
  6. F
    peripheral

Answer

The correct options are 'distinctive' and 'singular', as both words indicate that the decorative motifs were unique or remarkable, providing the necessary contrast to the conventional floor plan as required by the concession signal 'Granted that'.
The sentence relies on the concession signal 'Granted that', which sets up an opposition between the description of the decorative motifs and the description of the floor plan. Because the floor plan is described as 'entirely conventional', the blank requires words that mean extraordinary, unusual, or remarkable. The words 'distinctive' and 'singular' both convey this meaning effectively and yield logically equivalent sentences.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify structural transition signals and sentence polarity.
The opening concession signal 'Granted that...' establishes a contrast between the blank describing the decorative motifs and the second clause describing the floor plan as 'entirely conventional'.
Concession transitions signal that the idea in the main clause contrasts with the concessionary clause.
2
Determine the required tone and meaning for the blank.
Since the floor plan is 'conventional' (ordinary/typical), the decorative motifs must be described as non-conventional, remarkable, or unique.
The contrast requires a word with positive or highlighting valence opposite in meaning to 'conventional'.
3
Evaluate option pairs for contextual fit and semantic equivalence.
'Distinctive' and 'singular' both mean remarkable, unique, or standing out from the ordinary, completing the sentence with equivalent meanings.
Sentence Equivalence requires selecting two words that independently complete the sentence to create logically matching statements.

Key Concept

Interpreting Contrast and Concession Structural Signals
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Topics

Interpreting Contrast and Concession Structural Signals

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