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Question

Difficulty: MediumWords in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

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

Answer:In academic prose, authors often employ specialized terminology to convey complex ideas. However, when such jargon is overused, it can actually 【obscure】 the author's primary argument, making the text unnecessarily difficult for readers to comprehend.

Answer

obscure (or a synonym like mask or cloud)
The correct word must denote the action of making something unclear or hard to see, matching the context of jargon making an argument difficult to comprehend. The word 'obscure' (or synonyms like 'mask' or 'cloud') fits this meaning and aligns with the formal academic tone of the text.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and logical flow of the passage.
The first sentence notes that specialized terminology is used to convey complex ideas, but the second sentence introduces a contrast using 'However' and describes the overuse of jargon as having a negative consequence.
Understanding the transition word and the direction of the sentence helps identify the tone and meaning of the missing word.
2
Identify the relationship between the blank and the rest of the sentence.
The clause 'making the text unnecessarily difficult for readers to comprehend' indicates that the overuse of jargon has a negative effect on the argument, specifically making it hard to see or understand.
This establishes that the blank must be filled by a word meaning to make unclear, hidden, or difficult to perceive.
3
Select a high-utility academic word that fits both the meaning and the formal tone of the passage.
The word 'obscure' (or synonyms like 'mask' or 'cloud') fits the context perfectly and maintains the formal register of the passage.
A precise, formal verb is required to complete the sentence grammatically and semantically.

Key Concept

Using context clues and transition words to determine the most logical and precise word for a passage.
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Topics

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

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