Question 74·Medium·Words in Context
Although critics initially dismissed the novel as derivative, its innovative narrative structure eventually compelled them to ______ their judgments.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words-in-Context questions, first ignore the answer choices and use the sentence’s structure and clue words (like "Although," "however," or cause–effect phrases) to predict a rough meaning for the blank in your own words. Then, check each answer choice against that prediction and the tone of the sentence, eliminating any that don’t fit the logical change in attitude or situation. Be especially wary of choices whose basic definitions you know but that don’t match what the sentence is describing, even if they seem sophisticated or related to a nearby noun.
Hints
Notice the contrast word
Look closely at the word "Although" at the beginning. It tells you that what happens later in the sentence will contrast with the critics initially dismissing the novel as derivative.
Track how the critics’ opinion changes
Ask yourself: the critics start off with a very negative view. After discovering the innovative narrative structure, does their attitude likely become more negative, less negative, or stay exactly the same?
Match the general idea before looking at exact meanings
Think of a general phrase for the blank like "change their judgments in response to new information" and then see which option best fits that role. Eliminate any choices that only mean to list, combine, or make something stronger without implying a shift in viewpoint.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence setup and tone shift
Focus on the first part: "Although critics initially dismissed the novel as derivative" tells you the critics started with a negative opinion. The word "Although" signals that something different happens later. So, after noticing the innovative structure, their view must change in some way from the original dismissal.
Predict the general meaning of the blank
The second part says the novel’s "innovative narrative structure" "compelled them to ______ their judgments."
- If they were first very negative, and then compelled by something impressive (innovative structure), their later view is likely less harsh or more favorable than before.
- So we need a verb that means to adjust or soften those earlier negative judgments in light of new evidence.
Test each choice against that meaning
Now compare each option to the idea of changing earlier harsh judgments because of new information:
- enumerate: means to list things one by one.
- consolidate: means to combine things or make them stronger/more solid.
- amplify: means to increase or make something louder/stronger, often to intensify. None of these describe revising or softening previous critiques. They don’t show critics changing their minds in a more balanced or moderated direction.
Identify the best-fitting word
The remaining option, "temper," means to moderate, soften, or make something less extreme (such as harsh judgments). That perfectly matches critics being compelled by the novel’s innovative structure to soften or moderate their earlier negative judgments. So the correct answer is C) temper.