Question

Choose the option that completes the sentence correctly:

His novels are ______; he uses a long circumlocution when a direct coupling of a simple subject and verb would be best.
a) prolix
b) monotonous
c) vapid
d) risque

Answer 1

Hint: Circumlocution is a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things; wordy.
Two synonymous words for ‘circumlocution’ are periphrasis and ambage.

Complete answer:
In the given question, the sentence conveys that the author uses a wordy, lengthy, and indirect way of expression in his/her novels.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'prolix', refers to something or someone tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length.
Therefore, option (a.) is correct as it correctly portrays the writing style of the author in the novels.

Option (b.), ‘monotonous', refers to something or someone tediously repetitious or lacking in variety.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as it is not mentioned that the author has a boring or repetitive style of writing.

Option (c.), ‘vapid', refers to something or someone lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest.
Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as the author’s writing style includes circumlocutions, which means that it was wordy and lengthy rather than insignificant.

Option (d.), ‘risque', refers to something or someone suggestive of sexual impropriety.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it is not relevant to the author’s described writing style.
Hence, the correct answer is option (a).

Note:
In this type of question, if the student does not directly infer what should be put in the blank, then he/she should use the elimination method to arrive at the answer by analyzing the meaning of the given sentence. This will give the student an idea of what could go in the blank.