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Question

Difficulty: EasyWords in Context: Connotation and Tone

In the mid-twentieth century, urban planner Jane Jacobs argued that vibrant cities require diverse, mixed-use neighborhoods rather than separated, single-use zones. While city officials favored highly structured, uniform developments, Jacobs championed the active street life and community interactions of traditional neighborhoods. To Jacobs, the bustling, unpredictable nature of local streets was not a sign of disorder but rather a key indicator of a city's ______ health.

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

  1. thrivingAnswer
  2. B
    chaotic
  3. C
    typical
  4. D
    superficial

Answer

thriving
The word 'thriving' carries a positive connotation meaning flourishing or highly successful, which aligns with the passage's positive tone. The author describes street life as 'vibrant' and explains that Jacobs 'championed' it, showing that she viewed it as a sign of robust, active health.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the tone and perspective of the text.
The text describes Jane Jacobs as 'championing' street life and community interactions, which establishes a strongly positive tone regarding the bustling, unpredictable nature of streets.
Understanding the author's stance helps determine whether a positive, negative, or neutral word is needed.
2
Examine the context of the sentence with the blank.
The sentence states that the streets' unpredictable nature was 'not a sign of disorder but rather a key indicator of a city's ______ health.' The word in the blank must contrast with 'disorder' and carry a positive connotation to indicate good health.
Evaluating the structural contrast narrows down the logical meaning of the missing word.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that fits both the meaning and positive connotation.
The word 'thriving' means flourishing or robust, which aligns with the positive connotation of 'health' and the text's description of street life as 'vibrant.' Other options like 'chaotic,' 'typical,' and 'superficial' do not fit this positive context.
Selecting the option that matches the contextual meaning and tone determines the correct choice.

Key Concept

Identifying a word's connotation and tone in context
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Topics

Words in Context: Connotation and Tone

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