Degree/intensity collocation – choose the adjective that best intensifies "lack of knowledge". Sentence: "I was astounded at his ______ lack of knowledge about the Continent of Africa." Select the most natural and emphatic adjective.
Verbal Ability
Selecting Words
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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Aabundant
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Bcolossal
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Chuge
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Dgreat
Answer
Correct Answer: colossal
Explanation
Given data
- We want a strong intensifier before "lack of knowledge".
Concept/ApproachColossal collocates well with abstract nouns to indicate enormity (e.g., colossal ignorance, colossal mistake). The other choices are weaker/less idiomatic here.
Option analysiscolossal — best collocation: "colossal lack/ignorance." ✅abundant — positive connotation of plentiful supply; does not fit "lack".huge — possible but less idiomatic with "lack of knowledge".great — generic and weaker; "great lack" sounds odd.
Style tipCommon pairings: colossal ignorance, colossal blunder, colossal waste.
Final Answercolossal