Question:
Because early United States writers thought that the mark of great literature was grandiosity and elegance not to be found in common speech, they ---- the vernacular.
Because early United States writers thought that the mark of great literature was grandiosity and elegance not to be found in common speech, they ---- the vernacular.
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Identify the key attitude in the "because" clause. Here, the attitude towards "common speech" is dismissive. The verb in the main clause must reflect that dismissive attitude.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- dissected
- avoided
- misunderstood
- investigated
- exploited
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a sentence completion question that describes a cause-and-effect relationship. The "Because" clause states the writers' belief, and the main clause describes their resulting action.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Identify the writers' belief: They believed great literature required "grandiosity and elegance," qualities they thought were "not to be found in common speech." "Common speech" is a definition of the "vernacular."
2. Determine the logical action based on this belief. If they believed the vernacular lacked the necessary qualities for great literature, they would logically not use it in their writing.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- The writers held a negative view of the vernacular's suitability for literature. The logical consequence of this view is that they would stay away from it.
- (B) avoided: This word means to keep away from or stop oneself from doing something. It perfectly describes the action that would result from their belief.
- (A) "dissected" and (D) "investigated" imply a scholarly interest, which is not suggested.
- (C) "misunderstood": The sentence states they had a clear (though perhaps snobbish) understanding of the vernacular; they simply didn't value it for literature.
- (E) "exploited" (used for one's own benefit) is the opposite of what is implied.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Because the writers believed common speech was unsuitable for great literature, they avoided using the vernacular in their works.
This is a sentence completion question that describes a cause-and-effect relationship. The "Because" clause states the writers' belief, and the main clause describes their resulting action.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Identify the writers' belief: They believed great literature required "grandiosity and elegance," qualities they thought were "not to be found in common speech." "Common speech" is a definition of the "vernacular."
2. Determine the logical action based on this belief. If they believed the vernacular lacked the necessary qualities for great literature, they would logically not use it in their writing.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- The writers held a negative view of the vernacular's suitability for literature. The logical consequence of this view is that they would stay away from it.
- (B) avoided: This word means to keep away from or stop oneself from doing something. It perfectly describes the action that would result from their belief.
- (A) "dissected" and (D) "investigated" imply a scholarly interest, which is not suggested.
- (C) "misunderstood": The sentence states they had a clear (though perhaps snobbish) understanding of the vernacular; they simply didn't value it for literature.
- (E) "exploited" (used for one's own benefit) is the opposite of what is implied.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Because the writers believed common speech was unsuitable for great literature, they avoided using the vernacular in their works.
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