Re: The U.S. macro-culture, or the predominant culture that influences the
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10 Jun 2025, 03:22
Let's break down the sentence and fill in each blank based on the context:
Blank (i): "Whereas before the macro-cultural belief was that all the different cultures that come to the United States are thrown together and combined to create one (i) $\qquad$ society..."
- The phrase "thrown together and combined to create one" strongly suggests a society where distinct cultural differences are minimized or eliminated, resulting in a single, uniform culture.
- A. analogous: Means comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of something otherwise unfamiliar. This doesn't fit the idea of combining to create one uniform thing.
- B. disparate: Means essentially different in kind; not able to be compared. This is the opposite of what "combined to create one" implies.
- C. homogeneous: Means uniform in composition or character; of the same kind. This perfectly fits the idea of cultures combining to create a single, unified society.
Blank (ii): "...this belief is shifting towards a multicultural society in which the different cultures each bring a unique (ii) $\qquad$ that contributes to the common culture."
- The shift is from a "melting pot" (one combined society) to a "multicultural society" where different cultures "each bring a unique" contribution. We need a word that means an essential or perfect example of something.
- D. temperament: A person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior. This refers to disposition, not a unique contribution of culture.
- E. apotheosis: The highest point in the development of something; the culmination or climax. While a contribution might be a culmination, "apotheosis" means the perfect example or idealization, which doesn't fit the idea of contributing unique elements from distinct cultures as well as "quintessence."
- F. quintessence: The most perfect or typical example of a quality or class; the most essential part or quality. This fits the idea that each culture brings its unique, fundamental essence that adds to the larger culture.
Blank (iii): "Especially in culturally diverse states such as California, Caucasians will soon be in the minority in the United States, and consequently the macro-culture will shift along with these demographic (iii) $\qquad$ ."
- The sentence refers to "Caucasians will soon be in the minority" and "the macro-culture will shift along with these demographic..." This implies changes or fluctuations in demographics.
- G. hierarchies: A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority. While demographics can affect hierarchies, the blank refers to the demographic shifts themselves.
- H. vicissitudes: A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. More broadly, it refers to natural changes or variations. This fits the idea of demographic shifts or changes.
- I. compressions: The action of compressing or being compressed. This implies squeezing or reducing volume, not changes in population composition or influence.
Therefore, the completed sentence is:
"North America prior to 1500 was home to hundreds of distinct cultural groups, and each one was characterized by its own language, mythology, and social mores; the idea of a single 'Native American' culture is $\qquad$ by that diversity."
"Whereas before the macro-cultural belief was that all the different cultures that come to the United States are thrown together and combined to create one homogeneous society, this belief is shifting towards a multicultural society in which the different cultures each bring a unique quintessence that contributes to the common culture. The U.S. macro-culture is becoming less dominated by European Americans and more influenced by minority groups. Especially in culturally diverse states such as California, Caucasians will soon be in the minority in the United States, and consequently the macro-culture will shift along with these demographic vicissitudes."