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Difficulty: HardFigurative Use of Language and Connotations

Read the passage below carefully. Which figurative expression best completes the blank to convey the paradox of living in luxury while suffering severe constraints on personal freedom?

Answer:Despite the opulent accommodation and lavish perks provided by the foreign ministry during his assignment abroad, the ambassador soon realized that the heavily guarded compound was merely a 【gilded cage】.

Answer

The expression 'gilded cage' correctly fills the blank because it figuratively denotes a environment or situation that is visually magnificent and luxurious yet entirely confining regarding personal liberty.
The correct idiom is 'gilded cage', which figuratively describes a place or situation of wealth and luxury that nonetheless severely restricts an individual's independence or freedom.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual clues in the sentence contrasting 'opulent accommodation' and 'lavish perks' against a 'heavily guarded compound'.
Identified a conceptual tension between high material luxury and strict loss of personal freedom.
Understanding the contextual contrast is necessary to determine the specific figurative idiom required.
2
Evaluate figurative expressions that encapsulate a luxurious, comfortable, yet restrictive environment.
The metaphor 'gilded cage' directly signifies an attractive, wealthy setting that operates effectively as a prison.
'Gilded' means covered in gold, while 'cage' denotes imprisonment, creating the precise connotation demanded by the context.

Key Concept

Connotations of Metaphorical Expressions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Figurative Use of Language and Connotations

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