OE


This is a two-blank Text Completion question, so determine which blank is easier. Work with the second blank first. Determine who/what the blank in the sentence is describing. The blank is describing something about books relationship to the average man. Now determine what else gives insight into the word for the blank. The statements that the increased popularity of dime novels, the expansion of the number of bookstores, and the introduction of the paperback in addition to time transition until the late 1800s indicate that books were more “affordable to” or “available to” the average man. Dislikeable to and excitable to do not make “affordable to” so eliminate (D) and (E). Choice (F), attainable by, is a good match for the blank, so keep (F).

Now work with the first blank. The transition word until indicates that, before the late 1800s, the situation was different from the later attainability of books by the average man. The word in the first blank must therefore be a noun describing “something limited to” the well-to-do. Conduit is not a good match for “something limited to,” so eliminate (A). Choice (B), prerogative, which means a right or privilege, is a good match, so keep this choice. Choice (C), plight, is also a poor match, so eliminate (C).