GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningHard
For many years, critics bemoaned the director's films as being overly sentimental and dramatically inert, arguing that his reliance on lush visuals and melodramatic scores merely served to mask a fundamental lack of substance. However, a recent reappraisal of his early works suggests that these same qualities, when viewed through a different lens, actually contribute to a unique aesthetic that is both deeply moving and intellectually resonant. Thus, what was once considered a ______ is now being lauded as a hallmark of his distinctive style. Which word, if inserted into the blank, best completes the sentence?
- Apinnacle
- Bflaw
- Cstrength
- Dvirtue
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. flaw
The passage describes a shift in perception: qualities once 'bemoaned' and used to argue a 'fundamental lack of substance' are now 'lauded as a hallmark.' Therefore, the blank needs a word that represents a negative quality or defect. 'Flaw' means a fault or weakness, which fits the original negative criticism.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Pinnacle means the most successful point, which is positive and contradicts the initial criticism.
- C. Strength means the quality or state of being strong, which is positive and contradicts the initial criticism.
- D. Virtue means behavior showing high moral standards, or a quality considered morally good, which is positive and contradicts the initial criticism.
Text Completion: Semantic Shift
Identifying a word that describes an idea or characteristic that has changed in meaning or perception over time, often signaled by words indicating contrast or re-evaluation.
- Look for temporal markers (e.g., 'for many years,' 'recently').
- Identify the initial perception versus the current perception.
- The blank will often describe the initial, now-changed, perception.
Memory trick: Perception Shifts like Sands, Revealing New Views.