<p>Although many people in contemporary times choose to speak explcitily, the tradition of ------- is still very much alive,
(A) garrulousness
(B) exaggeration
(C) excoriation
(D) oration
(E) euphemism</p>
<p>The solution says:
Choice (E) is correct. The word “although” indicates that there will be a contrast between the explicit speech of today and the traditional mode of speaking described by the blank. Speech that is “explicit” is expressed without vagueness or ambiguity. “Euphemism” is the substitution of a vague or indirect expression for one that might be considered blunt or offensive. Euphemism clearly contrasts with explicit speech.</p>
<p>If “Euphemism” substitutes vague and indirect expression for a blunt and offensive one, isn’t that explicit?</p>
<p>Euphemism substitutes explicit speech or expression with a less explicit (less offensive, indirect) one. Thus, if euphemism is still widespread, it means that there is a lot of implicity out there.</p>
<p>Definition of “explicit” from the Fourth Edition of the American Heritage Dictionary: “Clearly expressed”</p>
<p>Definition of “garrulous” form the 2009 Edition of the Random House Dictionary: “Wordy or diffuse; in a rambling, roundabout manner”</p>
<p>Definition of “euphemism” from the 2009 Edition of the Random House Dictionary: “the subsitution of a mild expression; the expression to be substituted”</p>
<p>Both fit perfectly in the sentence, and I would therefore argue that the question is flawed.</p>
<p>“substitution of a vague or indirect expression for one that might be considered blunt” means the indirect expression substitutes the blunt expression, not the other way around</p>
<p>not really. a garrulous person is a person that likes to talk a lot and just babble on aimlessly. a really good answer here would have been “equivocality” but “euphemism” is the next best answer.</p>
<p>the SAT vocabulary is tricky in the sense that they don’t always ask the 1st meaning of the word. That’s why Grammatix is against word cramming. Plus, the better answer is euphemism.</p>
<p>I’d agree that euphemism is the better answer. Garrulousness means wordy and hard to understand, but it’s still direct. Garrulousness doesn’t always create deeper meanings or implications. Euphemisms do. Garrulousness would definitely be the second best answer, but the prompt always asks to pick the “most appropriate/best” term.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why one of the words would be a better choice than the other. Depending on what meanings one chooses, “garrulousness” and “euphemism” are complete antonyms of “explicit.”</p>
<p>Garrulous has nothing to do with being explicit. Explicitly stated things may be garrulous or they may not be. Thus garrulous is NOT an antonym of explicit. Also, the definitions of the two words you provided are bogus and misleading. Try these:</p>
<p>Explicit
fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal: explicit instructions; an explicit act of violence; explicit language.
clearly developed or formulated: explicit knowledge; explicit belief.
definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken: He was quite explicit as to what he expected us to do for him.</p>
<p>Garrulous
excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, esp. about trivial matters.
wordy or diffuse: a garrulous and boring speech.</p>
<p>Euphemism
the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”</p>
<p>As you can see, the notion that “garrulousness” and “euphemism” are complete antonyms of “explicit.” is simply wrong. Answer E is very much unequivocal.</p>
<p>garrulousness and euphemism are not complete antonyms of explicit. you will not find that in any thesaurus. Explicit means “direct”, “unambiguous” and the complete antonym would be “indirect” or “ambiguous”. That’s why in this case, what the sentence is looking for is extremely important. </p>
<p>Although many people in contemporary times choose to speak explicitly, the tradition of ------- is still very much alive,</p>
<p>The sentence is talking about speaking styles or ways of speaking. It’s saying that today people like to speak directly(explicitly) but the tradition of _____ is still alive. We need a word that can replace the blank and still make sense. The definition of garrulousness might make sense but it’s not like a speaking style. Garrulousness means wordy or like talking about trivial things incessantly. The blank wants a definition like that but euphemism is better in the sense that it is like a type of speaking style in a way. I really can’t describe it, but euphemism is definitely the answer. </p>
<p>euphemism is when you substitute something to make it sound less harsh. like calling somebody short as opposed to calling them vertically challenged. So you’re not being direct, you’re being equivocal or ambiguous in a way which is the complete antonym (check any thesaurus) of “explicit”.</p>
<p>Ok, let’s say they can be. It doesn’t matter. Don’t solve the SC questions by putting a + or - over the blanks saying that a negative connotative word must go here and a positive connotative word must go here or by saying the antonym or synonym must go in this blank. That strategy is extremely helpful at times when you don’t know the words, but it’s also very risky and this question proves it. You can’t just think that an antonym of explicit is going to be the second blank and solve it. Garrulous and Euphemism both might be indirect antonyms of the word “explicit” but, this question is solved based on your in-depth knowledge of the way the words are used. That’s what I think. But really, you’re making a big deal out of this. Euphemism is definitely the answer. </p>
<p>Let’s look at the way New York Times defines the words.</p>
<p>garrulous-
Given to excessive and often trivial or rambling talk; tiresomely talkative.
Wordy and rambling: a garrulous speech.</p>
<p>euphemism-
The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive: “Euphemisms such as ‘slumber room’ . . . abound in the funeral business” (Jessica Mitford).</p>
<p>You can see that garrulous means wordy or excessive talking and often about trivial matters. Euphemism, as you can see in the definition, is the act of substituting a mild, INDIRECT(i meant to accentuate the word when i capitalized it, not be rude), or vague term in place of a harsh…offensive one.</p>
<p>I mean it’s just the better answer i guess. stupid SAT’s</p>
<p>I will admit that if I had found this question on a test, I would have picked “euphemism,” but I’ve never seen an official CR question in which another answer was so viable as I believe “garrulousness” to be.</p>
<p>^ Nonetheless, you should have objected publically and broached the topic about “garrulousness” that we’ve been dicussing. Something tells me, however, that it wouldn’t become as contested as it did here. :)</p>
stupid SAT’s</p>