The film was criticized for being too __________; the director seemed more interested in showing off than telling a story.
A) captivating
B) pretentious
C)abstract
D) eclectic
B) pretentious
The composer used __________ to create a sense of unease and tension throughout the movie’s soundtrack.
A) harmony
B) melody
C) dissonance
D) rhythm
C) dissonance
Maintaining a high level of performance requires not just physical strength, but immense mental __________.
A) speed
B) fortitude
C) agility
D) velocity
B) fortitude
Ethical concerns regarding AI are becoming increasingly __________, as the technology begins to influence legal decisions.
A) hidden
B) minor
C) salient
D) obsolete
C) salient
In many societies, there is a strong __________ to conform to traditional family roles.
A) expectation
B) surprise
C) option
D) accident
A) expectation
The restorer worked with __________ precision to ensure every brushstroke matched the original 17th-century style.
A) random
B) meticulous
C) broad
D) superficial
B) meticulous
After years of practice, his guitar playing has become truly __________; there is simply no one better.
A) competent
B) unparalleled
C) adequate
D) standard
B) unparalleled
The athlete was __________ from the competition after testing positive for banned substances.
A) disqualified
B) promoted
C) nominated
D) applauded
A) disqualified
The new smartphone is impressive, but many argue that its features are merely __________ improvements over last year’s model.
A) massive
B) incremental
C) fundamental
D) disruptive
B) incremental
The film explores the __________ of being an immigrant in a country that feels both familiar and foreign.
A) simplicity
B) ambiguity
C) directness
D) comfort
B) ambiguity
Street art often serves as a form of social __________, highlighting issues like inequality and climate change.
A) sculpture
B) gallery
C) commentary
D) sketching
C) commentary
The opera singer's voice had an incredibly rich __________ that filled the entire hall.
A) timbre
B) volume
C) script
D) lyric
A) timbre
The team’s defense was __________; the opponents couldn't find a single gap to score.
A) vulnerable
B) porous
C) impenetrable
D) Flexible
C) impenetrable
The rise of automation has made certain manual labor jobs almost __________ in modern factories.
A) Redundant
B) Essential
C) Lucrative
D) Rare
A) Redundant
Respecting the local __________ is essential when traveling to avoid causing unintentional offense.
A) currency
B) etiquette
C) weather
D) landscape
B) etiquette
The beauty of the cathedral was so __________ that it left the tourists speechless.
A) sublime
B) average
C) conventional
D) outdated
A) Sublime
Many modern pop songs are criticized for being __________, following the exact same formula as every other hit.
A) innovative
B) derivative
C) avant-garde
D) melodic
B) derivative
Winning the championship was the __________ of years of hard work and sacrifice.
A) beginning
B) baseline
C) culmination
D) Setback
C) culmination
Data privacy is no longer a niche concern; it is now a __________ issue for tech companies worldwide.
A) local
B) private
C) pivotal
D) temporary
C) pivotal
Social media has a __________ effect on cultural trends, causing them to spread globally in hours.
A) catalytic
B) slow
C) negative
D) predictable
A) catalytic
Her jewelry designs are truly __________; she mixes industrial metal with delicate pearls.
A) repetitive
B) eclectic
C) uniform
D) antique
B) eclectic
The conductor’s __________ of the symphony was praised for its emotional depth and unique tempo.
A) translation
B) composition
C) interpretation
D) rehearsal
C) interpretation
Tennis players must have incredible __________ to react to a 100mph serve in a split second.
A) reflexes
B) endurance
C) weight
D) strategy
A) reflexes
The software update was designed to __________ the security flaws found in the previous version.
A) neglect
B) exacerbate
C) rectify
D) ignore
C) rectify
The city's architecture is a testament to its __________ past, blending styles from various ruling empires.
A) simple
B) boring
C) multifaceted
D) modern
C) multifaceted