Question

The practice of purchasing books was primarily a (i) ______ of the well-to-do until the late \(1800 \mathrm{s}\), 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 \operatorname{man} $$\begin{aligned} &\text { Blank }\\\ &\text { (i) }\\\&\begin{array}{|c|}\hline \text { conduit } \\\\\hline \text { prerogative } \\\\\hline \text { plight } \\\\\hline\end{array}\end{aligned}$$ Blank (ii) \begin{tabular}{|c|}\hline dislikable to \\\\\hline excitable to \\\\\hline attainable by \\ \hline\end{tabular}

Short answer

The appropriate options considering the context are 'prerogative' for blank (i) and 'attainable by' for blank (ii). So, the completed sentence is: 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

Understand the Context

Understand the context of the phrase. Here, it talks about how buying books was an activity of the well-off and then goes on to discuss the changes that took place in the late 1800s that made books more accessible for everyone. The words that need to be filled in should appropriately reflect these situations.

Anaylzing the options for Blank (i)

For blank (i), the options are: 'conduit', 'prerogative', and 'plight'. 'Conduit' implies a channel or pipe, 'prerogative' suggests a privilege or right, and 'plight' implies a dangerous or complicated situation. Considering the context, the word that fits best is 'prerogative', which suggests that purchasing books was primarily a privilege of the well-to-do.

Analyzing the options for Blank (ii)

For blank (ii), the options are: 'dislikable to', 'excitable to', and 'attainable by'. 'Dislikable to' means not agreeable, 'excitable to' means provoking excitement, and 'attainable by' means achievable or accessible by. The correct word in this context, which indicates the easy accessibility of books to the common man as a result of certain changes in the late 1800s, is 'attainable by'.

Key concepts

Vocabulary Skills

Building strong vocabulary skills is crucial when tackling GRE reading comprehension exercises. It is not just about knowing words, but understanding their nuances and how they fit into different contexts.
In the exercise, we encounter words like **conduit**, **prerogative**, and **plight** for the first blank, and **dislikable**, **excitable**, and **attainable** for the second. To figure out which word fits best, you must look beyond the simple definition. For example:

• **Conduit** typically refers to a channel or medium, which doesn't fit the context of exclusivity in buying books.
• **Prerogative** implies exclusivity or privilege, making it the right choice since it was a privilege for the wealthy to buy books.
• **Plight** refers to a difficult situation, which also doesn't fit.
• Similarly, **dislikable** implies something negative, unsuitable here.
• **Excitable** implies causing excitement, while **Attainable** means easily achievable, which perfectly describes the newly accessible nature of books.

Practicing this kind of analysis helps boost vocabulary skills, ensuring that words can be used effectively in context.

Text Analysis

In GRE reading comprehension, text analysis allows you to dissect the passage to understand its main points, tone, and purpose. In our exercise, the passage highlights the historical transition of book ownership from a rich man’s activity to a cheaper public commodity.
This means recognizing phrases in the text that point to exclusivity ("well-to-do" and "prerogative") and changes making books accessible ("attainable by"). By identifying these keywords and their roles:

• Understand the shift from privilege to general accessibility.
• Spot clues like dates ("late 1800s") indicating time-context changes.
• Examine continuous words ('until', 'when', 'introduction') linking ideas.

This honing of text analysis skills can transform seemingly complex passages into simple ideas, making finding the right answers easier.

Contextual Understanding

Understanding the context in which a piece of writing was crafted enlightens the nuances of its message. In the exercise, we must look at how the roles of the different people and periods evolved.
The passage analyzes a social evolution where initially the purchase of books was a status symbol among the wealthy, highlighted by selecting "prerogative". However, as we progress into the late 1800s, due to several factors like the advent of paperback books, the activity became "attainable by" the masses. This context of accessibility shows how books became a cultural norm rather than a luxury. To develop strong contextual understanding:

• Identify the main idea and the evolution described.
• Understand changes over time and how language reflects them.
• Apply historical or cultural knowledge when relevant.

This broadened understanding shows the importance of books transitioning from unattainable luxury to widespread accessibility.

Historical Context in Literature

Grasping the historical context in literature enriches comprehension and interpretation. In our book purchasing scenario, knowing the shift in book accessibility can be tied to real historical developments.
During the late 1800s, the introduction of the paperback and the rise of dime novels revolutionized access to literature. This dramatically changed the reading habits of the public. Historical context isn't only about what's explicitly mentioned; it’s also understanding broader impacts:

• How the invention of new printing technology and cheaper materials affected book distribution.
• Reflect on societal implications, like increased literacy rates and cultural shifts.
• Recognize that those changes made literature and reading part of everyday life for the average person.

Knowing these historical shifts helps in appreciating the grander narrative of how literature transitioned from a symbol of privilege to an omnipresent cultural necessity.