2012-06-04 09:00:10

Most agree that JD Salinger’s best and most important work is the landmark Catcher in the Rye, but there are some critics who argue his ______ was Franny and Zooey or even Nine Stories.

(A) pedestal
(B) plateau
(C) apex
(D) nadir
(E) literature

The correct choice is C

Explanation: To predict the missing word, look for clues in the sentence. Here, the main clue is the conjunction “but,” which sets up a contrasting relationship between the clauses of the sentence. Thus, while one clause argues that Salinger’s best work is Catcher in the Rye, the other clause argues that there is a different best work. The missing word must, therefore, mean best. Because an apex is the highest point, peak, or tip of something, all of which would suggest the best, choice C is correct.

None of the other answer choices work, either:

Pedestal: a position in which someone is critically admired (this does not work because a position of admiration is not the same as someone's personal peak)

Plateau: an area of relatively high ground (this is not correct because relatively high ground is not synonymous with the peak)

Nadir: the lowest point of something (this is the opposite of a correct answer)

Literature: a written work of lasting merit, quality, or import (this is not correct because being a good book and being Salinger's best are not the same)