Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly chara

Question

Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly characterize the work as___________.

A. orthodox
B. eccentric
C. original
D. trifling
E. conventional
F. innovative

carcass · Answer

Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly characterize the work as __________.

Here the word although defends the fact that the ideas are pioneering, but hardly negates that and suggests the opposite.

Thus although (in the sense of even though) the work contains pioneering ideas, and thus one would be expected to characterize it as pioneering, hardly one can do so.

The correct answer choices are original and innovative.

Here the word hardly = almost not. As in, I hardly work, meaning, I almost don't work.

although = emphasizer
hardly = negator

OR

Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would call the work un-original.
Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly(not) call the work original. (the "hardly", meaning "not", cancels the "un" in unoriginal giving us original).

caretonerd · Answer

As per Collins dictionary, "Pioneering work or a pioneering individual does something that has not been done before, for example by developing or using new methods or techniques." Does this not by definition imply 'original' and 'innovative'? 
Could someone please help clarify the rationale for the correct answer choices?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

The word “Although” is a crucial signpost here. The work contains some pioneering ideas, but apparently it is not overall a pioneering work. Thus the two words that could fill the blank appropriately are “original” and “innovative.” Note that “orthodox” and “conventional” are two words that are very similar in meaning, but neither one completes the sentence sensibly.

Thus the correct answer is original (Choice C) and innovative (Choice F).

Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly chara

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