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Scant evidence suggests that by the late medieval period the ability
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04 May 2026, 04:57
04 May 2026, 04:57
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Scant evidence suggests that by the late medieval period the ability to (i) ______ even a rudimentary form of written vernacular was accessible across most Flemish mercantile communities. It would, of course, be (ii) ______ to contend that the expansive corpus of theological and philosophical manuscripts produced in the region since the twelfth century meaningfully shaped the cultural sensibilities of every notarial clerk operating in its commercial hinterlands; yet even guild primers (iii) ______ residual traces of a broader humanistic heritage. Textual competence was not, under these conditions, the exclusive province of ecclesiastical elites.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
|---|---|---|
| A. abrogate | D. chimerical | G. expurgated |
| B. harness | E. perspicacious | H. imparted |
| C. circumvent | F. tendentious | I. impugned |
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Re: Scant evidence suggests that by the late medieval period the ability
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05 May 2026, 05:05
05 May 2026, 05:05
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The answers are B, D and H.
The sentence argues that basic literacy (in vernacular writing) was somewhat widespread in Flemish mercantile communities. It then cautions against an exaggerated claim that elite scholarly texts influenced everyone, but still suggests that even basic instructional texts carried traces of broader intellectual traditions.
Blank (i):
“the ability to ___ even a rudimentary form of written vernacular”
We need a verb meaning use or employ a basic form of writing.
A. abrogate: Abrogate means to abolish or repeal. Doesn’t fit the idea of using language.
B. harness: Harness means to use or make use of something. Perfect! People could use rudimentary written vernacular.
C. circumvent: Circumvent means to avoid or bypass. Doesn’t fit the context of literacy.
Blank (ii):
“it would, of course, be ___ to contend that...”
The sentence is rejecting an exaggerated claim—that everyone was influenced by complex manuscripts. So we need a word meaning unrealistic / fanciful / far-fetched.
D. chimerical: Chimerical means wildly unrealistic or imaginary. Perfect fit.
E. perspicacious: Perspicacious means insightful. That would support the claim, not reject it.
F. tendentious: Tendentious means biased or pushing an agenda. Not quite the idea here—the focus is on implausibility, not bias.
Blank (iii):
“yet even guild primers ___ residual traces of a broader humanistic heritage.” So despite rejecting the exaggerated claim, the sentence still says:
even basic texts carried traces of broader intellectual traditions. We need a verb meaning conveyed / transmitted / passed on.
G. expurgated: Expurgated means removed objectionable parts. Opposite of what we want.
H. imparted: Imparted means conveyed or transmitted. Perfect.
I. impugned: Impugned means challenged or attacked. Doesn’t fit.
The sentence argues that basic literacy (in vernacular writing) was somewhat widespread in Flemish mercantile communities. It then cautions against an exaggerated claim that elite scholarly texts influenced everyone, but still suggests that even basic instructional texts carried traces of broader intellectual traditions.
Blank (i):
“the ability to ___ even a rudimentary form of written vernacular”
We need a verb meaning use or employ a basic form of writing.
A. abrogate: Abrogate means to abolish or repeal. Doesn’t fit the idea of using language.
B. harness: Harness means to use or make use of something. Perfect! People could use rudimentary written vernacular.
C. circumvent: Circumvent means to avoid or bypass. Doesn’t fit the context of literacy.
Blank (ii):
“it would, of course, be ___ to contend that...”
The sentence is rejecting an exaggerated claim—that everyone was influenced by complex manuscripts. So we need a word meaning unrealistic / fanciful / far-fetched.
D. chimerical: Chimerical means wildly unrealistic or imaginary. Perfect fit.
E. perspicacious: Perspicacious means insightful. That would support the claim, not reject it.
F. tendentious: Tendentious means biased or pushing an agenda. Not quite the idea here—the focus is on implausibility, not bias.
Blank (iii):
“yet even guild primers ___ residual traces of a broader humanistic heritage.” So despite rejecting the exaggerated claim, the sentence still says:
even basic texts carried traces of broader intellectual traditions. We need a verb meaning conveyed / transmitted / passed on.
G. expurgated: Expurgated means removed objectionable parts. Opposite of what we want.
H. imparted: Imparted means conveyed or transmitted. Perfect.
I. impugned: Impugned means challenged or attacked. Doesn’t fit.
gmatclubot
Re: Scant evidence suggests that by the late medieval period the ability [#permalink]
05 May 2026, 05:05
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