OE


The playwright in this sentence is described as “celebrated,” which may initially imply a generally favorable response to his most recent play. Although there is no contrast word in the sentence, the language used to describe the audiences’ opinion gives the opposite impression. The words “lofty,” “abstruse,” and “overwrought” indicate that the play was too self-important and complicated, to the point of being “almost comical.” You can predict that  theatergoers responded negatively to the performance. (A) lampooned and (F) ridiculed both mean “mocked” or “made fun of” and are correct. (B) extolled and (C) lionized both mean “praised” and are the opposite of what you need. (D) disregarded means “ignored” and is not supported by the context; the theatergoers clearly saw the play and shared their opinions about it. (E) contemplated means “considered,” which may be true but does not have a negative enough connotation to fit the context clues.