Critical Reading > Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
In her review of a recent novel, the book reviewer insisted on discussing details of the author’s life, in open ------- the current trend in criticism, which eschews any consideration of biographical matters.
(A) fixation on
(B) defiance of
(C) deference to
(D) incitement of
(E) collusion with
The correct answer is B
Explanation
Choice (B) is correct. Since the reviewer is openly favoring the discussion of “details of the author’s life,” or “biographical matters,” she is clearly “in open defiance of” current practice, which “eschews,” or shuns, speaking of such things.
