Question

The practice of purchasing books was primarily a (i) ____________ of the well- to-do until the late 1800 s, when the increased popularity of dime novels, the expansion in the number of bookstores, and the introduction of the paperback made books (ii) ____________ the average man. Blank (i) a. conduit b. prerogative c. plight Blank (ii) a. dislikable to b. excitable to c. attainable by

Short answer

The correct answers are 'prerogative' for Blank (i) and 'attainable by' for Blank (ii). Thus, the completed sentence reads: The practice of purchasing books was primarily a prerogative of the well-to-do until the late 1800s, when the increased popularity of dime novels, the expansion in the number of bookstores, and the introduction of the paperback made books attainable by the average man.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Context

Here, the first part of the sentence suggests that purchasing books was special or exclusive to the rich until the late 1800s. So, for the first blank, the word would refer to something that was exclusive to the wealthy. The second part indicates that after the late 1800s, it became affordable or reachable for the 'average man'. So, for the second blank, the word should mean accessible.

Choosing the Right Word for Blank (i)

The word 'conduit' signifies a medium or channel, 'prerogative' means a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class, and 'plight' denotes a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation. Considering the context, 'prerogative' is the most suitable word for the first blank as it signifies exclusivity.

Choosing the Right Word for Blank (ii)

'Dislikable to' means not pleasing or attracting, 'excitable to' means able to excite or stimulate, and 'attainable by' means capable of being reached or achieved. The second part of the sentence is talking about the increasing accessibility of books, so 'attainable by' is the correct option for the second blank.