Question 23·Medium·Words in Context
Although the composer was celebrated for her bold experiments in harmony, her latest symphony struck even devoted fans as surprisingly ______, relying on conventional chord progressions and predictable melodies.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words in Context questions, always read the entire sentence and pay special attention to signal words like "although," "but," and "however" that show contrast or continuation. Paraphrase the part of the sentence that explains or describes the blank, then, before looking at the choices, decide whether the blank should be positive or negative, and whether it should suggest something typical, unusual, risky, safe, etc. Next, give each answer choice a quick, simple definition in your own words and eliminate any that clearly clash with the sentence’s meaning or tone. Finally, pick the option that most precisely matches the idea expressed by the key clues around the blank, especially descriptive phrases that come right after it.
Hints
Notice the contrast word
Focus on the word "Although" at the start of the sentence. How should the description in the blank differ from "bold experiments in harmony"?
Use the description after the comma
Look carefully at the phrase "relying on conventional chord progressions and predictable melodies." Ask yourself: does this describe something unusual and risky, or something safe and standard?
Check tone and expectation
The phrase "struck even devoted fans as surprisingly ______" suggests that the new symphony is unexpected compared with her usual style. What kind of word would make sense for music that is unexpectedly safe and unadventurous?
Eliminate choices that clash with "predictable"
Remove any options that suggest harsh, extremely bright, or made-up-on-the-spot music, since the sentence emphasizes predictability and convention.
Step-by-step Explanation
Use the contrast signal word
The sentence begins with "Although," which signals a contrast between two ideas:
- First part: the composer is known for "bold experiments in harmony."
- Second part: her latest symphony is "surprisingly ______."
So the blank should show an opposite or contrasting quality to "bold experiments."
Paraphrase the description after the blank
Look closely at the description after the comma: "relying on conventional chord progressions and predictable melodies."
- "Conventional" and "predictable" suggest the music is safe, standard, and not experimental.
- So the symphony is unexpectedly not bold and not unusual; it is more standard and typical compared with her usual style.
The missing word should match this idea of being standard or traditional, not innovative or surprising.
Test each answer choice against the context
Now, consider each option and see if it fits the idea of "conventional" and "predictable":
- discordant: means harsh-sounding or not in harmony; this clashes with the idea of conventional, predictable chords.
- luminous: means bright or shining (literally or figuratively); this does not connect to being conventional or predictable.
- improvisational: means made up on the spot, spontaneous; this would imply less predictable music, the opposite of what the sentence says.
All three of these do not match the calm, conventional tone suggested by the description.
Match the correct word to the context
The remaining option, "orthodox," means following established, traditional, or conventional practices. That fits perfectly with "conventional chord progressions and predictable melodies" and explains why even devoted fans found the symphony "surprisingly" traditional compared to her usual experimental work. So the correct answer is D) orthodox.