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Difficulty: MediumWords in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

Many literary scholars have argued that the nineteenth-century author’s depictions of working-class neighborhoods were purely documentarian, intended to serve as objective records of contemporary social conditions. However, a closer reading of her diaries reveals that this supposedly neutral portrayal was actually highly ______; her selection of details was carefully designed to sway public opinion and inspire political action.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

  1. A
    empirical
  2. tendentiousAnswer
  3. C
    disinterested
  4. D
    whimsical

Answer

tendentious
The correct answer is 'tendentious' because the passage contrasts a 'supposedly neutral portrayal' with diaries revealing that the author's work was actually designed to promote a specific point of view ('carefully designed to sway public opinion'). 'Tendentious' precisely means biased or promoting a particular cause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context clues and transition words in the passage.
The word 'However' signals a contrast with the initial view of the author's work as 'purely documentarian' and 'objective.' The blank must describe a portrayal that is the opposite of 'supposedly neutral.'
Understanding the logical direction of the sentence is essential for identifying the correct relationship between ideas.
2
Examine the description of the author's work following the semicolon.
The text states that her selections were 'carefully designed to sway public opinion and inspire political action.' The correct word must mean biased or promoting a specific cause.
The clause after the semicolon elaborates on and defines the missing word.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the word that means promoting a particular point of view or bias.
'Tendentious' is the only word that means biased or intended to promote a particular cause, making it the most logical and precise fit.
Selecting the word that precisely aligns with both the contrast to 'neutral' and the intent to 'sway public opinion.'

Key Concept

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary
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Topics

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

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