Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: panoramic
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The passage is a literary description of War and Peace. It highlights the scope and style of the novel, focusing on its portrayal of early nineteenth century Russian society. The sentence we must complete is This blank study of early nineteenth century Russian society, noted for its mastery of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis, is generally regarded as one of the greatest novels. The missing adjective must describe the wide scope and broad coverage of the novel in terms of characters, events, and settings.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In literary criticism, the word panoramic is commonly used to describe a work that presents a wide, comprehensive view of a society or period. It suggests breadth and range, similar to a wide landscape view in photography. We must choose the adjective that fits this conventional critical vocabulary. The approach is to match each option with the noun study and decide which combination best represents a broad and detailed examination of Russian society in a long novel.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Insert panoramic: This panoramic study of early nineteenth century Russian society suggests a wide, comprehensive view, which fits the description of War and Peace.
Step 2: Insert histrionic: A histrionic study would suggest exaggerated emotional behavior, which does not match the calm realism associated with Tolstoy.
Step 3: Insert omnipotent: Omnipotent means all powerful and is used for deities, not for a study of society.
Step 4: Insert explicit: An explicit study would stress openness or detailed description of taboo topics, which is not the main point here.
Step 5: Insert fragmentary: A fragmentary study would be incomplete and broken, opposite to the idea of a great novel that presents a full picture.
Step 6: Conclude that panoramic is the only adjective that conveys wide scope and fits standard literary criticism.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we can look at how critics write about large historical novels in general. They often talk about panoramic novels, panoramic histories, or panoramic views of society. The word panoramic is almost a technical term for such works. In contrast, the other adjectives either introduce wrong meanings or clash with the positive tone of the sentence. Therefore, substituting panoramic makes the sentence read smoothly and naturally for anyone familiar with English literary language.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Histrionic: Implies theatrical and exaggerated behavior, often used in a negative way, not for serious historical analysis. Omnipotent: Refers to all powerful beings, which has no sensible connection with a study of society. Explicit: Although acceptable in some contexts, here it does not capture the sense of wide range or broad coverage. Fragmentary: Directly opposite to the idea of a great, complete novel and would spoil the compliment being paid to War and Peace. None of these options express extensive coverage of Russian life.
Common Pitfalls:
Students may misjudge the meaning of panoramic because they only know it from cameras or photography. However, the same idea of a wide view is transferred to literature. Another pitfall is choosing explicit simply because it is familiar. Always focus on the core idea that the sentence is praising the broad scope of the novel, not merely its frankness or emotion. Checking how critics usually describe big historical novels is a useful strategy for similar questions.
Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the phrase is panoramic, giving the expression This panoramic study of early nineteenth century Russian society.
Discussion & Comments