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The great myths of antiquity are, at their core, elaborate parables
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08 Jun 2026, 22:19
08 Jun 2026, 22:19
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Question Stats:
60% (01:15) correct
40% (00:57) wrong based on 15 sessions
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The great myths of antiquity are, at their core, elaborate parables of adversity mastered. Embedded within them is the conviction that to encounter crushing hardship is not an aberration but something (i) ______ , woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence. The hero who does not (ii) _______ from such trials, but who instead advances to meet calamities that are as unmerited as they are brutal, will ultimately (iii) ______ over every barrier and stand triumphant at the close of the tale.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
|---|---|---|
| A. aberrant | D. recoil | G. prevail |
| B. ineluctable | E. extemporize | H. succumb |
| C. insuperable | F. persevere | I. transcend |
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The great myths of antiquity are, at their core, elaborate parables
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11 Jun 2026, 23:41
11 Jun 2026, 23:41
Expert Reply
Explanation
Blank (i): The sentence states that encountering crushing hardship is "not an aberration but something [blank], woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence." Because it uses the "not X but Y" structure, the blank must be the opposite of an aberration (something rare or unexpected). It also must match the idea of being "woven inextricably" (unavoidably) into life.
Ineluctable (B) means unavoidable or inescapable, which perfectly mirrors "woven inextricably."
Aberrant (A) means abnormal, which is the exact opposite of what the "not X" structure demands.
Insuperable (C) means impossible to overcome, which contradicts the overall theme that these are parables of "adversity mastered."
Blank (ii): We are looking for what a hero does not do when facing trials, contrasted with the fact that they "instead advance to meet calamities."
Recoil (D) means to shrink back in fear or disgust. A hero who does not recoil is one who stands their ground and advances.
Extemporize (E) means to improvise, which doesn't fit the contrast of retreating versus advancing.
Persevere (F) means to keep going. If a hero did not persevere, they wouldn't stand triumphant at the end.
Blank (iii): The sentence concludes by describing the hero's ultimate victory, noting that they will "stand triumphant at the close of the tale." The preposition "over" right after the blank is a major grammatical clue.
Prevail (G) means to prove more powerful than opposing forces or to win through. You "prevail over" a barrier, matching both the grammar and the triumphant tone.
Succumb (H) means to fail or give in, which is the exact opposite of being triumphant.
Transcend (I) means to rise above or go beyond. While it fits the triumphant theme, stylistically and grammatically, you transcend a barrier directly; you do not "transcend over" a barrier.
Answer: B,D,G
Blank (i): The sentence states that encountering crushing hardship is "not an aberration but something [blank], woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence." Because it uses the "not X but Y" structure, the blank must be the opposite of an aberration (something rare or unexpected). It also must match the idea of being "woven inextricably" (unavoidably) into life.
Ineluctable (B) means unavoidable or inescapable, which perfectly mirrors "woven inextricably."
Aberrant (A) means abnormal, which is the exact opposite of what the "not X" structure demands.
Insuperable (C) means impossible to overcome, which contradicts the overall theme that these are parables of "adversity mastered."
Blank (ii): We are looking for what a hero does not do when facing trials, contrasted with the fact that they "instead advance to meet calamities."
Recoil (D) means to shrink back in fear or disgust. A hero who does not recoil is one who stands their ground and advances.
Extemporize (E) means to improvise, which doesn't fit the contrast of retreating versus advancing.
Persevere (F) means to keep going. If a hero did not persevere, they wouldn't stand triumphant at the end.
Blank (iii): The sentence concludes by describing the hero's ultimate victory, noting that they will "stand triumphant at the close of the tale." The preposition "over" right after the blank is a major grammatical clue.
Prevail (G) means to prove more powerful than opposing forces or to win through. You "prevail over" a barrier, matching both the grammar and the triumphant tone.
Succumb (H) means to fail or give in, which is the exact opposite of being triumphant.
Transcend (I) means to rise above or go beyond. While it fits the triumphant theme, stylistically and grammatically, you transcend a barrier directly; you do not "transcend over" a barrier.
Answer: B,D,G
Re: The great myths of antiquity are, at their core, elaborate parables
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12 Jun 2026, 04:00
12 Jun 2026, 04:00
Expert Reply
Overall meaning:
Ancient myths teach that hardship is an unavoidable part of life. The hero who faces it head-on, rather than shrinking from it, will ultimately triumph.
Blank (i):
"to encounter crushing hardship is not an aberration but something (i) _______ , woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence."
- "Not an aberration" means not an anomaly.
- "Woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence" means unavoidable, inevitable.
B. ineluctable $=$ unavoidable, inescapable $\rightarrow$ perfect.
A. aberrant $=$ abnormal (opposite of what's needed).
C. insuperable = impossible to overcome (contradicts the ending: the hero does overcome).
(i) = B. ineluctable
Blank (ii):
"The hero who does not (ii) ______ from such trials, but who instead advances to meet calamities..."
- "Does not ______ from" + "instead advances to meet" → the hero does not shrink back.
D. recoil = draw back in fear → perfect contrast to "advances to meet."
E. extemporize = improvise (doesn't fit the "from" structure or the meaning).
F. persevere = persist; but "does not persevere from" is unidiomatic; you persevere through something, not from it.
(ii) = D. recoil
Blank (iii):
"will ultimately (iii) _____ over every barrier and stand triumphant at the close of the tale."
- "Stand triumphant" tells us the hero wins.
G. prevail $=$ triumph, win through → "prevail over" is a standard collocation.
H. succumb = give in, fail (opposite).
I. transcend = rise above; you "transcend" barriers, not "transcend over" them.
(iii) = G. prevail
Final answer:
Blank (i): B. ineluctable
Blank (ii): D. recoil
Blank (iii): G.prevail
Ancient myths teach that hardship is an unavoidable part of life. The hero who faces it head-on, rather than shrinking from it, will ultimately triumph.
Blank (i):
"to encounter crushing hardship is not an aberration but something (i) _______ , woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence."
- "Not an aberration" means not an anomaly.
- "Woven inextricably into the fabric of mortal existence" means unavoidable, inevitable.
B. ineluctable $=$ unavoidable, inescapable $\rightarrow$ perfect.
A. aberrant $=$ abnormal (opposite of what's needed).
C. insuperable = impossible to overcome (contradicts the ending: the hero does overcome).
(i) = B. ineluctable
Blank (ii):
"The hero who does not (ii) ______ from such trials, but who instead advances to meet calamities..."
- "Does not ______ from" + "instead advances to meet" → the hero does not shrink back.
D. recoil = draw back in fear → perfect contrast to "advances to meet."
E. extemporize = improvise (doesn't fit the "from" structure or the meaning).
F. persevere = persist; but "does not persevere from" is unidiomatic; you persevere through something, not from it.
(ii) = D. recoil
Blank (iii):
"will ultimately (iii) _____ over every barrier and stand triumphant at the close of the tale."
- "Stand triumphant" tells us the hero wins.
G. prevail $=$ triumph, win through → "prevail over" is a standard collocation.
H. succumb = give in, fail (opposite).
I. transcend = rise above; you "transcend" barriers, not "transcend over" them.
(iii) = G. prevail
Final answer:
Blank (i): B. ineluctable
Blank (ii): D. recoil
Blank (iii): G.prevail
