Question 166·200 Super-Hard SAT Reading Questions·Craft and Structure
The biographer’s portrayal of the celebrated novelist conveys ______ admiration: he praises her stylistic daring, yet he candidly recounts her erratic work habits and the uneven reception of several late novels.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For Words in Context questions, first ignore the choices and paraphrase the sentence: identify whether the attitude is positive, negative, or mixed, and note any contrast words like “yet,” “but,” or “however.” Then translate the blank into your own simple phrase that captures that attitude, and only after that compare your idea to the answer choices, eliminating any that clash with the tone or logic of the sentence (too strong, too positive, too negative, or off-topic in meaning). This approach prevents you from being distracted by familiar but wrong vocabulary.
Hints
Use the colon as a clue
The part after the colon explains what kind of admiration the portrayal conveys. Read that section carefully to see how the biographer views the novelist.
Pay attention to the word “yet”
“Yet” shows that there is a contrast between praising her and doing something else. How does that contrast affect the nature of the admiration?
Describe the attitude in your own words first
Before looking at the choices, say in simple words how the biographer feels: Is his admiration simple and one-sided, or does it include both positive and negative points?
Eliminate choices that don’t match the tone
Ask for each option: Would admiration of this type fit with both strong praise and open mention of flaws?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure and contrast
Focus on the part after the colon, because it explains what kind of admiration is being conveyed: “he praises her stylistic daring, yet he candidly recounts her erratic work habits and the uneven reception of several late novels.” The word “yet” signals a contrast between praise and criticism.
Infer the type of admiration described
Because the biographer both praises the novelist and candidly mentions her flaws, his admiration is not simple or purely positive. It is a mix of appreciation and criticism, suggesting a more measured, nuanced attitude.
Check the general meanings of the options
Now match that nuanced attitude to the choices:
- unalloyed: pure, complete, not mixed with anything else
- steadfast: firm, unwavering, loyal
- spontaneous: sudden, unplanned, impulsive
- One remaining option is often used for praise or approval that includes reservations or conditions. Compare these meanings with the idea of admiration that includes both praise and honest mention of faults.
Select the word that fits the nuanced, mixed attitude
The only choice that fits admiration that includes reservations—praise that is tempered by candid criticism—is B) qualified, which here means limited or modified by some reservations. The biographer admires the novelist but does not ignore her shortcomings, so his portrayal conveys qualified admiration.