Question 92·Medium·Words in Context
While some critics dismiss the author’s early short stories as _____ experiments, her later novels reveal that those pieces laid the groundwork for her signature narrative techniques.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For words-in-context questions, first read the entire sentence carefully and identify the key clues, especially contrasts (while, but, although) and cause-effect phrases (because, so, therefore). Before looking at the choices, briefly predict the kind of meaning that should go in the blank (for example, a word suggesting an early stage, a criticism, or a praise). Then test each option in the sentence, checking both meaning and tone: eliminate any word that does not fit all the clues in context, even if it could be a rough synonym of your prediction. This targeted, clue-based approach is faster and more reliable than trying to rely on memorized definitions alone.
Hints
Look closely at the contrast
Focus on the word while and how it sets up a contrast between how some critics view the early short stories and what the later novels reveal about them.
Pay attention to laid the groundwork
Ask yourself: If something laid the groundwork for later techniques, what role did it play in the author's development?
Think about the progression of a writer’s work
Consider how an author's early experiments usually compare to their more developed later works. What kind of description would fit early efforts that help build toward a mature style?
Test each word in the full sentence
Read the sentence aloud with each option in the blank and ask: Does this describe something critics would dismiss, and does it also make sense for work that contributed to later narrative techniques?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure and contrast
The sentence begins with while, which sets up a contrast: some critics dismiss the author's early short stories as ___ experiments, but her later novels reveal that those early pieces were actually important because they laid the groundwork for her signature narrative techniques. So the blank must describe how the critics see the early stories, in a way that still makes sense with the idea that they helped build her later style.
Use the key clue: laid the groundwork
The phrase laid the groundwork suggests the early stories were the first stage in developing something more advanced later on. Even though the critics dismiss them, the narrator is saying those stories played a foundational role in her eventual narrative techniques. So the missing word should fit with the idea of early, developing experiments that come before a more polished style.
Test each option against the meaning and tone
Check each choice in the sentence: dismissed as meticulous experiments, provocative experiments, redundant experiments, or rudimentary experiments. Ask: Does it make sense that critics would dismiss the early stories this way, and does the description fit with stories that end up forming the basis for the author's later techniques? We should eliminate any option that does not logically fit both parts of the sentence: the dismissal and the groundwork idea.
Eliminate choices that do not match the context
Meticulous means very careful and detailed; critics might dislike meticulous work, but nothing in the sentence suggests the early stories were overly detailed, and meticulous does not capture the idea of early-stage groundwork. Provocative means causing strong reaction or controversy; again, the sentence does not mention shock or controversy, and provocative does not connect clearly to laying groundwork for techniques. Redundant means unnecessarily repetitive; the sentence gives no hint that the early stories are repetitive, and being redundant does not explain how they helped develop new narrative techniques. These three do not match the clues in the sentence.
Select the word that matches both dismissal and groundwork
Rudimentary means basic, simple, or at an early stage of development, which fits perfectly: some critics dismiss the early short stories as rudimentary experiments (just basic, early attempts), but her later novels show that those simple experiments actually laid the groundwork for her signature narrative techniques. Therefore, the correct answer is D) rudimentary.