Question 167·Medium·Words in Context
Although early critics dismissed photographer Vivian Maier as a mere hobbyist, contemporary scholars recognize that her work exhibits a ______ sense of composition, revealing a sophisticated eye for urban life.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words-in-Context questions, always start by reading the entire sentence and identifying key clue phrases (here, “Although…” and “revealing a sophisticated eye for urban life”). Decide whether the missing word should be positive or negative and what general idea it should convey (e.g., advanced skill vs. basic ability). Try to predict a simple word that would fit (like “refined” or “advanced”), then compare your prediction to the answer choices, eliminating any that contradict the sentence’s tone or meaning, even if you know their definitions. This keeps you grounded in context rather than guessing from vocabulary alone.
Hints
Use the contrast in the sentence
Look at how the sentence contrasts early critics with contemporary scholars. Ask yourself: what changed in how people view Vivian Maier’s photography?
Focus on the clue after the comma
Pay close attention to the phrase “revealing a sophisticated eye for urban life.” What kind of quality in her “sense of composition” would fit well with someone having a sophisticated eye?
Check the tone of each answer choice
Decide whether the blank should describe something positive or negative. Then, eliminate any options that clearly sound critical or suggest lack of skill or organization.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence and its contrast
Notice the structure: it begins with “Although early critics dismissed… as a mere hobbyist” and then shifts to “contemporary scholars recognize that her work exhibits a ___ sense of composition, revealing a sophisticated eye for urban life.”
- The word “Although” signals a contrast.
- Early critics thought she was just a hobbyist (not serious or skilled).
- Contemporary scholars see the opposite: they think her work shows real skill.
- So the blank must describe a high-level, positive quality that matches “revealing a sophisticated eye for urban life.”
Decide the kind of word needed (tone and meaning)
Focus on the phrase “revealing a sophisticated eye for urban life.” This is clearly a compliment.
Ask yourself:
- Does the word in the blank need to be positive or negative? It should be positive, to fit with “sophisticated eye.”
- Does it suggest skill and refinement, or does it suggest lack of skill or randomness? It should suggest skill and refinement.
So you are looking for an option that conveys a refined, advanced sense of composition, not something basic, wrong, or disorganized.
Evaluate each answer choice against the context
Now compare each choice to the idea of a sophisticated, advanced sense of composition:
- A) rudimentary means basic or elementary, the opposite of sophisticated. It conflicts with “sophisticated eye.”
- B) flawed means having errors or defects, which again contradicts the praise in the sentence.
- D) haphazard means random, disorganized, or lacking any clear plan, which does not fit with the idea of a carefully composed, sophisticated photograph.
- C) nuanced means showing subtle distinctions and fine details—exactly what you would expect from a sophisticated sense of composition.
Therefore, the best and most precise choice is C) nuanced.