Question 62·Medium·Words in Context
Once confined to footnotes of twentieth-century art history, the multimedia installations of Lygia Clark are now the subject of major retrospectives. This renewed attention has encouraged a more ______ interpretation of her work, one that recognizes both its playful surfaces and its deeper philosophical underpinnings.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For Words-in-Context questions, always read the entire sentence (and sometimes the one before it) to understand the situation and tone. Then, before looking at the choices, restate in your own words what kind of idea belongs in the blank (for example, “a more careful, layered interpretation”). Next, eliminate any options whose meanings you clearly know that conflict with the tone or logic of the sentence, especially those that are the wrong positivity/negativity or unrelated in meaning. Finally, choose the remaining option that best matches both your paraphrase and all the surrounding context—especially any explanations that follow the blank.
Hints
Look at the contrast in time
Focus on the contrast between "once confined to footnotes" and "now the subject of major retrospectives." Is the change in how the artist is viewed positive or negative?
Use the explanation after the blank
Read the phrase after the blank: "one that recognizes both its playful surfaces and its deeper philosophical underpinnings." What kind of interpretation would do that—more shallow, or more sophisticated?
Match each option with the description
For each answer choice, ask: Would this kind of interpretation be likely to notice both the playful side and the deeper philosophical side of the artwork?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the basic situation and tone
The sentence contrasts the past with the present:
- In the past, her work was confined to footnotes of art history (overlooked, not taken very seriously).
- Now, it is the subject of major retrospectives (serious exhibitions and renewed interest).
This shows a shift toward more respect and serious study, so the tone of the missing word should be positive or at least respectful, not negative.
Use the clause after the comma as a key clue
The sentence explains what kind of interpretation has developed: it is one "that recognizes both its playful surfaces and its deeper philosophical underpinnings."
So, the new interpretation must:
- Notice more than one layer of meaning (both playful and deep)
- Be more careful and sophisticated than earlier views.
We are looking for a word that fits an interpretation that sees multiple layers and is more thoughtful.
Test each option against the context
Now check each answer choice in the blank and see if it matches the idea of a more careful, multi-layered interpretation.
- A) dismissive interpretation – would mean treating the work as unimportant.
- B) improvised interpretation – would mean made up quickly without planning.
- C) antiquated interpretation – would mean old-fashioned or out of date.
- D) nuanced interpretation – describes an interpretation that is subtle and sensitive to small differences or multiple layers.
Only one of these fits both the positive shift in attention and the idea of recognizing both surface playfulness and deeper philosophy.
Choose the word that best matches a layered, sophisticated reading
Because the sentence is describing a more careful and layered understanding that takes into account both the playful and the philosophical aspects of the work, the only word that fits is D) nuanced.