Precision and Concision
Not quite satisfied with your mastery of syntax, the Serpent has also decided to
test your understanding of precision and concision. Precision questions ask you
to choose the best, most precise word to use in a given context. (You didn’t think
the Serpent had stopped obsessing over vocabulary in context, did you?) These
questions require a careful assessment of the sentence to determine what word
makes the most sense in this particular case.
Here is a modified precision question from the College Board:
Taylor Swift’s first albums included many radio-friendly country
hits. But her fourth album, Red, featured songs with more electronic
sounds and mainstream pop influences. Her next one, 1989, marked
a complete vacancy from country music; even her Southern accent
disappeared.Which of the following words would best replace “vacancy”?
A) NO CHANGE
B) evacuation