2012-04-02 09:00:05

Many critics have complained about the author’s habit in recent works to ______ a point, rather than trusting the reader to understand it on his or her own; while some ______ is fine, these critics feel the writer’s fiction is ruined due to its heavy-handedness.

(A) equivocate... sermonizing
(B) exaggerate... imprecision
(C) de-emphasize...pedanticism
(D) overwork... hyperbole
(E) belabor... didacticism

The correct answer is E.

Explanation: To find the missing words, look for keywords in the prompt. Here, the two missing words share the same set of keywords, namely the phrase, “rather than trusting the reader to understand it on his or her own,” as well as the phrase “due to its heavy-handedness.” The first missing word describes what the author did “rather than trusting the audience,” implying that the author was “heavy-handed” in making a point. The second missing word likewise must mean “heavy-handedness” since a little of it is okay but not as much as the author uses. Together, then, the two words must have similar meanings, and both must suggest that the author explains his or her point too much. Because “belabor” means “to argue or elaborate in a heavy-handed or excessively detailed manner” while “didacticism” means “the excessive use of something intended to teach,” choice E is correct.

The other answer choices do not work either, as none of them form the proper synonymous relationship:

(A) Equivocate: to conceal the truth by using ambiguous language; Sermonizing: delivering a dogmatic and opinionated speech to someone

(B) Exaggerate: to represent something as larger or more important than it actually is;  Imprecision: inexactness or carelessness

(C) De-emphasize: to reduce the importance or prominence of something; Pedanticism: being excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.

(D) Overwork: to exhaust with too much work or use of; Hyperbole: exaggerated statements or claims meant to be taken literally