Style, Intensity, and Connotation in Two-Blank Sentences - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

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Question

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The demagogue worked day and night,                      the passions of the                      against those whom he declared to be the “privileged few.”

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Answer

To answer this question, it helps to know the meaning of "demagogue". This is a person who tries to lead in political and public matters by using emotions. He or she stirs up the emotions of the people to get them to act in a certain manner. This should lead you to think "exciting" is the correct first word. ("Exciting" can merely mean arousing strong feelings.) Still, you may be tempted to choose "many" for the second blank. However, "exculpatory" means getting out of trouble. That makes no sense here. The best option is "exciting ... disenfranchised". To be "disenfranchised" means to be powerless in a society. This contrasts well enough to the demagogue's "privileged few." To "gain the franchise" means to become able to vote. Voting allows people to have some power in society.

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