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Whether as permanent fixtures in cathedrals or as (i) $\qquad$ shrines
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24 Jul 2025, 10:48
24 Jul 2025, 10:48
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Question Stats:
10% (00:08) correct
90% (01:30) wrong based on 10 sessions
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Whether as permanent fixtures in cathedrals or as (i) ________ shrines, reliquaries were objects of devotion, not because of their beautiful exteriors but because of what they held: a relic of a saint. These memorial objects often pose mysteries for historians, who (ii) _________ their external images to ascertain for which saint's relics the (iii) _______ container was created.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
|---|---|---|
| A. personal | D. peruse | G. commemorative |
| B. perennial | E. reify | H. immense |
| C. conveyable | F. exculpate | I. utilitarian |
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Re: Whether as permanent fixtures in cathedrals or as (i) $\qquad$ shrines
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03 Aug 2025, 08:53
03 Aug 2025, 08:53
Expert Reply
Let's analyze the sentence and the options carefully to find the best fits for the blanks.
Sentence:
"Whether as permanent fixtures in cathedrals or as (i) $\qquad$ shrines, reliquaries were objects of devotion, not because of their beautiful exteriors but because of what they held: a relic of a saint.
These memorial objects often pose mysteries for historians, who (ii) $\qquad$ their external images to ascertain for which saint's relics the (iii) $\qquad$ container was created."
Step 1: Blank (i)
Context:
- Reliquaries can be permanent fixtures or shrines.
- So the blank should describe shrines that are not permanent fixtures but still important.
Options for (i):
- A. personal
- B. perennial
- C. conveyable
Analysis:
- Personal shrines make sense as private, movable or smaller shrines.
- Perennial means lasting for a long time - synonymous to permanent, which is already mentioned. So it would be redundant.
- Conveyable means able to be carried or moved. This makes sense if contrasting with permanent fixtures.
Between personal and conveyable, conveyable shrines fits better as a contrast to "permanent fixtures," emphasizing portability.
Best choice for (i): C. conveyable
Step 2: Blank (ii)
Context:
- Historians study the external images of the reliquaries to understand something about the relic.
- They do something carefully with the images.
Options for (ii):
- D. peruse - to read or examine carefully
- E. reify - to treat something abstract as real
- F. exculpate - to free from blame
Analysis:
- Peruse fits well; historians examine or study carefully.
- Reify is more abstract and complicated, less natural here.
- Exculpate (to absolve from guilt) does not fit.
Best choice for (ii): D. peruse
Step 3: Blank (iii)
Context:
- The container holding the relic is referred to.
- "The $\qquad$ container was created" - modifier describing the reliquary container.
Options for (iii):
- G. commemorative
- H. immense
- I. utilitarian
Analysis:
- Commemorative container - made to honor or memorialize - fits well for a reliquary.
- Immense container - large in size, irrelevant or unlikely to be the main point.
- Utilitarian container - practical, functional; unlikely since reliquaries are more symbolic.
Best choice for (iii): G. commemorative
Sentence:
"Whether as permanent fixtures in cathedrals or as (i) $\qquad$ shrines, reliquaries were objects of devotion, not because of their beautiful exteriors but because of what they held: a relic of a saint.
These memorial objects often pose mysteries for historians, who (ii) $\qquad$ their external images to ascertain for which saint's relics the (iii) $\qquad$ container was created."
Step 1: Blank (i)
Context:
- Reliquaries can be permanent fixtures or shrines.
- So the blank should describe shrines that are not permanent fixtures but still important.
Options for (i):
- A. personal
- B. perennial
- C. conveyable
Analysis:
- Personal shrines make sense as private, movable or smaller shrines.
- Perennial means lasting for a long time - synonymous to permanent, which is already mentioned. So it would be redundant.
- Conveyable means able to be carried or moved. This makes sense if contrasting with permanent fixtures.
Between personal and conveyable, conveyable shrines fits better as a contrast to "permanent fixtures," emphasizing portability.
Best choice for (i): C. conveyable
Step 2: Blank (ii)
Context:
- Historians study the external images of the reliquaries to understand something about the relic.
- They do something carefully with the images.
Options for (ii):
- D. peruse - to read or examine carefully
- E. reify - to treat something abstract as real
- F. exculpate - to free from blame
Analysis:
- Peruse fits well; historians examine or study carefully.
- Reify is more abstract and complicated, less natural here.
- Exculpate (to absolve from guilt) does not fit.
Best choice for (ii): D. peruse
Step 3: Blank (iii)
Context:
- The container holding the relic is referred to.
- "The $\qquad$ container was created" - modifier describing the reliquary container.
Options for (iii):
- G. commemorative
- H. immense
- I. utilitarian
Analysis:
- Commemorative container - made to honor or memorialize - fits well for a reliquary.
- Immense container - large in size, irrelevant or unlikely to be the main point.
- Utilitarian container - practical, functional; unlikely since reliquaries are more symbolic.
Best choice for (iii): G. commemorative
gmatclubot
Re: Whether as permanent fixtures in cathedrals or as (i) $\qquad$ shrines [#permalink]
03 Aug 2025, 08:53
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