GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningMedium
A literary critic argued that the author's latest novel, while praised for its intricate plot and vivid characterizations, ultimately suffered from a certain narrative ______, as it failed to resolve several key subplots, leaving readers with a sense of incompleteness.
- Aclosure
- Bprecision
- Ccohesion
- Delaboration
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. closure
The sentence states that the novel 'failed to resolve several key subplots, leaving readers with a sense of incompleteness.' This directly points to a lack of resolution or finality. 'Closure' refers to a sense of ending or resolution. The narrative lacked this, causing incompleteness.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Precision refers to exactness or accuracy; this is not directly related to unresolved subplots.
- C. Cohesion refers to the logical connection or unity of parts; while related, 'closure' more specifically addresses the unresolved subplots.
- D. Elaboration refers to the act of providing more detail; the problem isn't lack of detail but lack of resolution.
Implied Deficiency
This concept involves identifying a word that describes a missing or lacking quality based on the negative effects or descriptions provided in the sentence.
- Look for phrases indicating a negative outcome (e.g., 'suffered from', 'failed to', 'leaving readers with').
- Identify the specific consequence or feeling described (e.g., 'sense of incompleteness').
- Choose a word that names the absence of the quality whose lack caused the negative outcome.
Memory trick: What's not there defines the void.