INSIPID is to BANALITY as …
a. RECONDITE is to SUPERFICIALITY
b. GUARANTEED is to UNCERTAINTY
c. MOROSE is to DREARINESS
d. VERBOSE is to DILEMMA
e. BORING is to EXCITEMENT
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is a. RECONDITE is to SUPERFICIALITY.
Explanation:
The analogy “INSIPID is to BANALITY” shows a relationship where “insipid” (meaning dull or lacking flavor) is associated with “banality” (meaning the quality of being unoriginal or dull). The connection here is that both “insipid” and “banality” refer to things that lack depth, excitement, or originality. In other words, something “insipid” is mundane and unremarkable, much like how “banality” is characterized by a lack of uniqueness or interest.
Now, let’s analyze each option:
a. RECONDITE is to SUPERFICIALITY:
- “Recondite” means something that is obscure, difficult to understand, or intellectually deep. “Superficiality,” on the other hand, refers to something that is shallow or lacking in depth.
- This relationship is analogous because just as “insipid” lacks flavor and depth, “recondite” represents the opposite: something that is deep or difficult to grasp. Therefore, the opposite of something “recondite” would be something shallow or superficial, much like how the opposite of “insipid” is something bland or uninspiring.
- Thus, the correct analogy is RECONDITE is to SUPERFICIALITY.
b. GUARANTEED is to UNCERTAINTY:
- “Guaranteed” means something is certain, while “uncertainty” represents a lack of certainty or doubt. While this is an opposing relationship, it does not follow the same pattern of dullness to lack of originality. This option doesn’t fit the analogy as well as the others.
c. MOROSE is to DREARINESS:
- “Morose” means a person is gloomy or depressed, and “dreariness” refers to a state of bleakness or dullness. This is a somewhat related pair, but it doesn’t follow the same pattern of dullness in flavor to a lack of originality, which is the key concept in the original analogy.
d. VERBOSE is to DILEMMA:
- “Verbose” refers to someone who uses too many words, while “dilemma” refers to a difficult situation or problem. This doesn’t reflect the same relationship as “insipid” and “banality,” where both terms describe qualities related to dullness or lack of depth.
e. BORING is to EXCITEMENT:
- “Boring” directly contrasts with “excitement,” but this does not follow the same logical relationship as “insipid” and “banality,” which are linked by the idea of lacking originality or interest.
Thus, the best fit is a. RECONDITE is to SUPERFICIALITY.