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In romance novels, a strapping hero often $\qquad$ a rapier in the ser
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29 Dec 2024, 02:55
29 Dec 2024, 02:55
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25% (01:00) correct
75% (01:18) wrong based on 12 sessions
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In romance novels, a strapping hero often $\(\qquad\)$ a rapier in the service of an ennobled yet submissive woman; this display of force carries the day but, despite the popularity of such books, some pundits bemoan the passive portrayal of women.
| Two Answers |
|---|
| A. sheathes |
| B. brandishes |
| C. wields | D. promulgates | E. disseminates |
| F. cauterizes |
Re: In romance novels, a strapping hero often $\qquad$ a rapier in the ser
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03 Feb 2025, 04:49
03 Feb 2025, 04:49
Expert Reply
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
Brandishes, wields.
Note that all the choices are verbs, so "a strapping hero often [does something to/with] a rapier," which is a thin pointed sword used for thrusting; the hero's action is later referred to as a "display of force." The blank might be something like "uses," or some verb more specific to how a rapier is used, such as "thrusts." To "sheathe" a weapon is to put it away (in a sheath, which is a cover for a blade); this is the opposite of using it in a "display of force." Ideas or information can be "promulgated" or "disseminated," meaning spread, communicated, or publicized, so these choices form an answer pair. However, swords cannot be "promulgated" or "disseminated," so the answer pair doesn't work in this context. To "cauterize" is to burn skin or flesh to stop bleeding or seal a wound, so this choice is unpaired and does not match the required meaning. The synonyms "brandish" and "wield" in this context indicate that the hero held and waved the rapier as a threat. These choices agree with the "display of force" characterization of the action.
Brandishes, wields.
Note that all the choices are verbs, so "a strapping hero often [does something to/with] a rapier," which is a thin pointed sword used for thrusting; the hero's action is later referred to as a "display of force." The blank might be something like "uses," or some verb more specific to how a rapier is used, such as "thrusts." To "sheathe" a weapon is to put it away (in a sheath, which is a cover for a blade); this is the opposite of using it in a "display of force." Ideas or information can be "promulgated" or "disseminated," meaning spread, communicated, or publicized, so these choices form an answer pair. However, swords cannot be "promulgated" or "disseminated," so the answer pair doesn't work in this context. To "cauterize" is to burn skin or flesh to stop bleeding or seal a wound, so this choice is unpaired and does not match the required meaning. The synonyms "brandish" and "wield" in this context indicate that the hero held and waved the rapier as a threat. These choices agree with the "display of force" characterization of the action.
gmatclubot
Re: In romance novels, a strapping hero often $\qquad$ a rapier in the ser [#permalink]
03 Feb 2025, 04:49
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