Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: mastery
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question continues the passage about War and Peace and focuses on a phrase that praises the novel for a special quality. The sentence is noted for its blank of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis. The noun after its must describe a high degree of skill or excellence in handling realistic description. The purpose of the item is to check knowledge of abstract nouns that collocate with of realistic detail in literary criticism.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The concept is to identify a noun that signals high skill in the use of realistic detail. Mastery of something is a standard phrase meaning complete command or very high ability. Literary critics often say that a writer shows mastery of detail, mastery of language, or mastery of narrative structure. Therefore we look for such a familiar collocation. The approach is to insert each option before of realistic detail and see which sounds most natural and matches the idea of skillful use, not just truth or fitness.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Try energy of realistic detail. This sounds odd because energy is not normally used with detail in this way.
Step 2: Try veracity of realistic detail. Veracity means truthfulness, but realistic detail is already about truth, so this becomes redundant and clumsy.
Step 3: Try suitability of realistic detail. Suitability refers to appropriateness, which does not fit the sense of high skill in use of detail.
Step 4: Try mastery of realistic detail. This is a well known phrase and clearly expresses high skill and control in using realistic description.
Step 5: Try simplicity of realistic detail. This does not express excellence or command and is not idiomatic.
Step 6: Conclude that mastery is the only word that produces a natural and meaningful phrase.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check with common patterns in literary essays shows phrases like the writer shows mastery of detail or the novel reveals mastery of structure. The word mastery is almost standard in such contexts. In contrast, veracity of realistic detail would be a strange double emphasis on truth, and suitability of realistic detail is rarely, if ever, used. Thus, the phrase noted for its mastery of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis fits both grammar and critical style.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Energy: This suggests vigor or force, but realistic detail is typically praised for precision, not energy. Veracity: While connected to truth, the construction veracity of realistic detail is awkward and does not highlight skill. Suitability: Refers to appropriateness and fails to capture the sense of superb technique that mastery conveys. Simplicity: This may be a good quality in some works, but here the emphasis is on detailed realism and complex psychological study, not on simple style. Therefore only mastery provides the correct and idiomatic meaning.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes pick veracity because they see realistic and think of reality and truth. However, realistic detail already implies truth to life, so another word about truth is unnecessary. Remember to focus on what quality of the writer is being highlighted: the ability to handle detail, not the mere fact that it is true. Recognizing typical phrases used by critics greatly improves accuracy in such vocabulary questions.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is mastery, completing the phrase noted for its mastery of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis.
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