GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningHard
The newly discovered manuscript was a ______ for historians, as it contained a wealth of previously unknown details about the daily lives of medieval peasants, challenging several long-standing assumptions about their social structures and economic practices. Its revelations were so significant that it necessitated a complete re-evaluation of the period. Which word, if inserted into the blank, best completes the sentence?
- Awindfall
- Bprecedent
- Cdetriment
- Dstumbling block
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. windfall
The manuscript 'contained a wealth of previously unknown details' and its 'revelations were so significant that it necessitated a complete re-evaluation,' indicating it was an extremely fortunate and beneficial discovery. 'Windfall' means a piece of unexpected good fortune, fitting this context perfectly.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Precedent means an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide, which doesn't capture the sense of a beneficial discovery.
- C. Detriment means the state of being harmed or damaged, which contradicts the positive impact of the discovery.
- D. Stumbling block means a circumstance that causes difficulty or hesitation, which contradicts the positive impact of the discovery.
Text Completion: Figurative Language/Idioms
Understanding and selecting words or phrases that enhance meaning through non-literal comparisons or established expressions within the context of the sentence.
- Idioms have a meaning that cannot be deduced from individual words.
- Figurative language (metaphor, simile) creates vivid imagery.
- Context is essential to interpret the intended non-literal meaning.
Memory trick: Figurative Language Paints Pictures with Words.