OE


Derivation, notorious, provenance. The first sentence links the word assassin with “hashish,” so the first blank is addressing the derivation of the term. It says nothing about its introduction, since you are only told where the word originates, not how it was introduced. Circumlocution (roundabout or evasive speech; use of more words than necessary) represents a theme trap. Since the derivation is known, it follows that it isn’t enigmatic; but it is notorious given the shadiness involved in the derivation. Nothing in the sentence indicates that the derivation is unheralded (unannounced, unsung). Something about the sect presents a mystery, and because the sentence discusses how it “dates to before the First Crusade in the 11th century,” you can expect a word that means something like origin (provenance is a synonym). The legend of the sect must not be much of a mystery, given that it is summarized in this sentence. The sentence indicates nothing about the bane (curse, affliction) of the sect being a mystery, or even whether such a problem existed for the sect.

The 2nd line says "The topic is equally attractive to historians"; from this I inferred that this word has a positive connotation/feeling in the 1st sentence also. Hence I was confused between notorious and enigmatic for the 2nd blank.

hi carcass, kindly help to understand why not enigmatic

Blank (i): (B) derivation
- Context Clue: The sentence explains that the word "comes from a sect..."
- Rationale: Derivation refers to the origin or formation of a word from another word or root. Introduction is too general, and circumlocution (using many words where fewer would do) is irrelevant to word origins.

Blank (ii): (D) notorious
- Context Clue: The description of "brutal killers" and "drug hashish" suggests a story that is well-known but for negative or sensational reasons.
- Rationale: Notorious means famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed. While the origin might be enigmatic (mysterious), the prompt implies the story itself is what is famous in those circles. Unheralded (unnoticed) contradicts the idea that it is "equally attractive" to various scholars.

Blank (iii): (G) provenance
- Context Clue: The text mentions the sect "dates to before the First Crusade" and "remains a mystery."
- Rationale: Provenance refers to the place of origin or the earliest known history of something. This matches the chronological focus of the sentence. Legend (a traditional story) doesn't fit "remains a mystery" as well as a factual origin does, and bane (a cause of great distress) is logically incorrect here.