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In a field long dominated by dour prognostications of institutional de
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12 Jun 2026, 05:34
12 Jun 2026, 05:34
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Question Stats:
68% (00:59) correct
31% (00:57) wrong based on 16 sessions
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In a field long dominated by dour prognostications of institutional decay, the political theorist Amara Osei has drawn both admiration and skepticism for a body of work whose notably _______ tenor stands as a deliberate rebuke to the gloom that pervades her discipline.
| Blank (i) |
|---|
| A. prophetic |
| B. guarded |
| C. arcane | D. authoritative | E. buoyant |
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Re: In a field long dominated by dour prognostications of institutional de
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15 Jun 2026, 04:00
15 Jun 2026, 04:00
Expert Reply
Explanation
The sentence opens by establishing the field's character: "long dominated by dour prognostications of institutional decay." The theorist Amara Osei has drawn attention for work "whose notably _______ tenor stands as a deliberate rebuke to the gloom that pervades her discipline." The phrase "deliberate rebuke to the gloom" is the critical clue: her work actively opposes the prevailing pessimism. Therefore, the blank must mean cheerful, optimistic, hopeful, or light-spirited - the opposite of "dour" and "gloom."
- A. prophetic - Accurately predicting the future; prescient. While a theorist might make prophetic claims, the contrast is with gloom, not with inaccuracy. A prophecy can be pessimistic. Incorrect.
- B. guarded - Cautious, circumspect, restrained. "Guarded" is closer to pessimistic than optimistic - it does not serve as a rebuke to gloom. Incorrect.
- C. arcane - Understood by few; mysterious, esoteric. "Arcane" describes accessibility, not emotional tone. An arcane work can be deeply pessimistic. Incorrect.
- D. authoritative - Commanding, magisterial, having authority. While a theorist's work might be authoritative, the contrast is with gloom, not with weakness. An authoritative work can be grim. Incorrect.
- E. buoyant - Cheerful, optimistic, light-hearted; able to stay afloat. "A notably buoyant tenor" perfectly captures the hopeful quality that stands as a deliberate rebuke to the prevailing gloom. Correct.
The sentence opens by establishing the field's character: "long dominated by dour prognostications of institutional decay." The theorist Amara Osei has drawn attention for work "whose notably _______ tenor stands as a deliberate rebuke to the gloom that pervades her discipline." The phrase "deliberate rebuke to the gloom" is the critical clue: her work actively opposes the prevailing pessimism. Therefore, the blank must mean cheerful, optimistic, hopeful, or light-spirited - the opposite of "dour" and "gloom."
- A. prophetic - Accurately predicting the future; prescient. While a theorist might make prophetic claims, the contrast is with gloom, not with inaccuracy. A prophecy can be pessimistic. Incorrect.
- B. guarded - Cautious, circumspect, restrained. "Guarded" is closer to pessimistic than optimistic - it does not serve as a rebuke to gloom. Incorrect.
- C. arcane - Understood by few; mysterious, esoteric. "Arcane" describes accessibility, not emotional tone. An arcane work can be deeply pessimistic. Incorrect.
- D. authoritative - Commanding, magisterial, having authority. While a theorist's work might be authoritative, the contrast is with gloom, not with weakness. An authoritative work can be grim. Incorrect.
- E. buoyant - Cheerful, optimistic, light-hearted; able to stay afloat. "A notably buoyant tenor" perfectly captures the hopeful quality that stands as a deliberate rebuke to the prevailing gloom. Correct.
gmatclubot
Re: In a field long dominated by dour prognostications of institutional de [#permalink]
15 Jun 2026, 04:00
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