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Question

Unlike many recent interpretations of Beethoven's piano sonatas, the recitalist's performance was a delightfully free and introspective one; nevertheless, it was also, seemingly paradoxically, quite ____.

A. appealing

B. exuberant

C. idiosyncratic

D. unskilled

E. controlled

I couldn't find any clue to pick up a right answer. Could you please explain it with detials for me?

Davkett · Accepted Answer

The clue, Jeff, is in 'paradoxically'. A paradox is a seeming contradiction. So take the adjectives that describe the character of the performance, and think of the word which contradicts that description. The problem for me is that each of the two adjectives has a different opposite. Both opposites seem to be on the list. Well, maybe one of them isn't technically an opposite. So the key is to find which of the two adjectives has the clearest opposite word on the list. I have my vote in my pocket.

PS: Since a paradox is a 'seeming contradiction', it's odd to see written here, 'seemingly paradoxical'.

Aster · Answer

Hi Jeff,

this question is truly wonderful as it tests both your vocabulary and grammar

The key to solving it is to read the question very very carefully.

It gives to clues , Firstly the gramatically clue nevertheless.

The adverbial phrase "nevertheless" is used to join two clauses with a contradictory opinon.

There are two such words for which you might have to find the antonym - free and introspective .

Also note that the adverb paradoxically points out that rather than going for introspective you should look for an antonym for free because free is also preceded by an adverb. The only antonym which fits in would be controlled.

The rest of the word dont actually contradict and sever as antonyms for the word free.

Hope this answer is somewhat convincing. :-)

Regards

Aster

Davkett · Answer

Yes, Aster. I would also pick: E. Controlled (as the clearest opposite to 'free').

The problem I mentioned above is that 'introspective' often has the connotation of 'introverted', which means 'shy, reserved', the opposite of which could be 'exuberant'.

Jeff_999 · Answer

Thanks so much for such detailed explanation.

In the first place, I too realized the key word "nevertheless/paradoxically", but I was confused with "introspective".

Any word contradicts "free and introspective"? I felt confound; then I posted the question here.

Controlled is the answer, but I failed to get what Aster meant by saying

Also note that the adverb paradoxically points out that rather than going for introspective you should look for an antonym for free

How should we leave out "introspective", because of the adverb "paradoxically"?

Aster · Answer

hi jeff,

you are right in believing that this is more a guesstimate than an accurate pointing when i go for free rather than introspective. But its an intelligent guestimate as the rules of grammar say that whenever sentences are framed they are best framed when there is good amount of parallelism and symmetry to make the meaning much more clear . I took the guestimate based on these writing skills.

Thanks

aster

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