GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningEasy
While the initial reviews for the new art exhibition were overwhelmingly positive, critics later noted a certain ______ in the collection, suggesting a lack of depth despite its superficial appeal.
- Afatuousness
- Bprofundity
- Csuperfluity
- Dshallowness
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. shallowness
The sentence uses a contrast indicator ('While') to set up opposing ideas. The initial positive reviews are contrasted with a later observation of a lack of depth, making 'shallowness' the most appropriate fit.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Fatuousness means silly and pointless, which doesn't fit the context of 'lack of depth' as well as 'shallowness'.
- B. Profundity means deep insight or great depth, which is the opposite of what the sentence implies.
- C. Superfluity means an excessive amount of something; it doesn't directly relate to a lack of depth in an artistic collection.
Contrast Indicators
Words or phrases that signal a shift to an opposing idea or argument within a sentence or passage.
- Help identify opposing viewpoints or changes in direction.
- Crucial for understanding the logical flow of a text.
- Examples include: while, although, despite, however, but, in contrast.
Memory trick: Contrast clues are like a 'but' in traffic, telling you to go the other way.