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The craft of epistolary composition mirrors that of the stage in that
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12 Apr 2026, 13:35
12 Apr 2026, 13:35
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Question Stats:
33% (01:22) correct
66% (01:30) wrong based on 9 sessions
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The craft of epistolary composition mirrors that of the stage in that it is the affectation of (i) _______ which typically renders a performance persuasive. Eminent correspondents, much like virtuoso actors, possess a faculty for (ii) _________ ; the profoundness of their delivery is contingent upon its proximity to the fluid operations of consciousness. By such standards, Henry Irving was a superlative practitioner: her missives unfailingly project an aura of (iii) _______ .
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
|---|---|---|
| A. spontaneity | D. magnification | G. poise |
| B. adroitness | E. immediacy | H. extemporaneity |
| C. benevolence | F. altruism | I. discernment |
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The craft of epistolary composition mirrors that of the stage in that
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15 Apr 2026, 04:00
15 Apr 2026, 04:00
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Expert Reply
1. Evaluating Blank (i):
- The Clue: The text links the performance to "actual processes of thought" and "the here and now."
- The Inference: A "convincing" performance feels natural and unscripted.
- Selection: Spontaneity (A). This means performing in a way that feels sudden and natural rather than planned. Adroitness (B) means skill, which is true of acting but doesn't explain why it is "convincing" in this specific real-time context.
2. Evaluating Blank (ii):
- The Clue: The phrase "for the here and now" directly defines the blank.
- The Inference: We need a word that describes a focus on the current moment.
- Selection: Immediacy (E). Immediacy is the quality of bringing one into direct involvement with the present. Magnification (D) is a "theatrical trap" (thinking of acting as "bigger than life"), but it contradicts the "closeness to thought" clue.
3. Evaluating Blank (iii):
- The Logic: This blank must follow the "criteria" established in the first two blanks (spontaneity and immediacy).
- The Inference: If his letters are "remarkable" by these standards, they must seem like they were written on the fly, without rehearsal.
- Selection: Extemporaneity (H). This is a high-level GRE term for something spoken or done without preparation. It is the perfect synonym for "improvisation" or "spontaneity." Poise (G) means grace/composure, which is a positive trait but doesn't match the "here and now" logic.
Correct Choices:
Blank (i): Spontaneity (A)
Blank (ii): Immediacy (E)
Blank (iii): Extemporaneity (H)
- The Clue: The text links the performance to "actual processes of thought" and "the here and now."
- The Inference: A "convincing" performance feels natural and unscripted.
- Selection: Spontaneity (A). This means performing in a way that feels sudden and natural rather than planned. Adroitness (B) means skill, which is true of acting but doesn't explain why it is "convincing" in this specific real-time context.
2. Evaluating Blank (ii):
- The Clue: The phrase "for the here and now" directly defines the blank.
- The Inference: We need a word that describes a focus on the current moment.
- Selection: Immediacy (E). Immediacy is the quality of bringing one into direct involvement with the present. Magnification (D) is a "theatrical trap" (thinking of acting as "bigger than life"), but it contradicts the "closeness to thought" clue.
3. Evaluating Blank (iii):
- The Logic: This blank must follow the "criteria" established in the first two blanks (spontaneity and immediacy).
- The Inference: If his letters are "remarkable" by these standards, they must seem like they were written on the fly, without rehearsal.
- Selection: Extemporaneity (H). This is a high-level GRE term for something spoken or done without preparation. It is the perfect synonym for "improvisation" or "spontaneity." Poise (G) means grace/composure, which is a positive trait but doesn't match the "here and now" logic.
Correct Choices:
Blank (i): Spontaneity (A)
Blank (ii): Immediacy (E)
Blank (iii): Extemporaneity (H)
gmatclubot
The craft of epistolary composition mirrors that of the stage in that [#permalink]
15 Apr 2026, 04:00
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