Read the sentence, looking for clues
In this sentence, the detour roadsign "but" indicates contrast with "monotonous,"
which means "uniform" or "unvarying." A further clue is that the acclimatized eye
sees the background as "rippling" with whatever the missing word describes.
Predict an answer
A good prediction would be "detailed variety" The background seems uniform or
unvarying at first, but is "rippling" with detailed variety to someone who has
looked at it for some time.
Select the choice that most closely matches your
prediction
(A)
nuance, or "subtle variety" is a good
match for the prediction, and is the correct answer. (B) intrigue used as a noun here means "secret
scheme," which doesn't make sense in this sentence. This choice may have been
tempting because as a verb, intrigued can mean "arouse curiosity, interest." Someone
might be intrigued by the Australian bush, but it doesn't make sense to say the bush
was rippling with intrigue. (D) zephyrs
are a type of wind or breeze, which doesn't contrast with "monotonous." (E)
gesticulation is abrupt movement,
which doesn't make sense as a contrast to "monotonous."
Check your answer
The gray-green foliage of the eucalyptus provides the soft, spatially deceptive
background color of the Australian bush, monotonous at first but rippling with
nuance to the acclimatized
eye.
TAKEAWAY: Watch out for words that have different meanings when used in different
ways.
