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Difficulty: MediumFigurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

Read the passage excerpt below:

"When the lead architect presented the revised master plan for the metropolitan transportation network, the municipal board enthusiastically hailed it as a monumental leap forward, oblivious to the reality that the entire scheme was built on a foundation of sand."

In the context of the passage above, what does the figurative expression "built on a foundation of sand" imply about the master plan?

  1. It relies on precarious, flawed premises that render it inherently unreliable.Answer
  2. B
    It specifies the physical use of coastal soil and unrefined aggregate materials.
  3. C
    It reflects an innovative design aesthetic inspired by arid desert topography.
  4. D
    It signifies a formally approved municipal budget allocation for urban development.

Answer

The expression implies that the master plan relies on precarious, flawed premises that render it inherently unreliable.
The correct answer accurately interprets the metaphor 'built on a foundation of sand.' In literature and English idiom, something built on sand lacks a firm, stable base. Applied to a project or plan, it signifies that the underlying premises, calculations, or assumptions are weak and prone to failure despite outward praise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the figurative expression in the context of the sentence.
The phrase "built on a foundation of sand" contrasts with the board's praise of a "monumental leap forward," highlighting an underlying flaw.
Contextual analysis reveals the contrast between perception and reality.
2
Identify the metaphorical meaning of 'foundation of sand'.
In figurative usage, sand represents instability, insecurity, and lack of solid support.
A physical structure built on sand collapses easily, so an idea or plan built on sand lacks solid logic or reliable facts.
3
Select the option that matches this contextual interpretation.
The option stating that the plan relies on precarious, flawed premises accurately captures this meaning.
It directly reflects the metaphorical sense of structural instability applied to an abstract plan.

Key Concept

Figurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context
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Figurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

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