OE


A,   D “Not only” is a straight-ahead road sign. Always paired with “but also,” it indicates that the sentence will continue in its original direction. You’re told that the author has a penchant for “dissembling,” which means “to speak or act hypocritically.” Since he dissembles when he writes, his prose can be described as “insincere.” That’s a good prediction, so start checking the answer choices. Choice (A) fulsome means “excessive” or “over-the-top.” That’s an excellent way to characterize insincere prose, so hang on to it. Choice (D) unctuous means “excessively smug,” which is certainly insincere in its tenor. Choice (B) effulgent, meaning “radiant” or “shining,” doesn’t make sense in this context. Choice (C) effusive, which means “gushing” or “enthusiastic,” would describe the emotional tenor of the prose but not the author’s sincerity. Choice (E) cryptic, or “mysterious,” is not supported by the context; there is nothing in the sentence to indicate that the author’s work was hard to understand. Also, no other answer choice creates a similar sentence. Choice (F) vulgar can be rejected for the same reason; it also has nothing to do with “dissembling.”