Question:
The word “divisive” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to _________.
-
A.
agreeing -
B.
positive -
C.
serious -
D.
discordant
Reference explanation:
Correct Answer: EASY
EASY ANSWER
The word “divisive” in the second paragraph is synonymous with the word __________.
A. agreeing /əˈɡriːŋ/ (a): agree, agree
B. positive /ˈpɑːzətɪv/ (a): positive (attitude)
C. serious /ˈsɪriəs/ (a): serious, dangerous
D. discordant /dɪsˈkɔːrdənt/ (a): discord, opposition
Divisive /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ (a): to cause disagreement, to divide
*Can rely on the context of the sentence to guess the meaning of the word:
“Today, however, although more Americans see generational differences, most do not see them as divisive”
(However, even though many Americans today see generational differences, most do not see them as divisive.)
The previous paragraph the author focused on stating the numbers implying how many people see this generational difference. And that’s a pretty negative thing. In the second paragraph, the author uses the conjunction “however”, and the verb before the blank uses the negative form “not”, so it is easy to understand that the blank needs a word with a negative meaning, combined with the sentence context, it is easy to choose the answer. D.
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The word ‘divisive’ is closest in meaning to ‘causing disagreement or hostility’. It is often used to describe something that creates tension or conflict between people, groups or communities.
Divisive is used to describe actions, statements or policies that are seen as creating hostility or disagreement between people. It is often used to describe politics or social issues that have the potential to cause division and unrest. For example, a divisive policy might be one that pits different groups of people against each other, or one that creates a clear divide between those who are in favour of it and those who are against it.
Divisive can also be used to describe people who are seen as creating disagreement or hostility between different groups. For example, a divisive figure might be someone who is seen as creating tension between different religious or cultural groups, or who is known for making provocative statements that create division.
Divisive can also be used in a more general sense to describe any situation or issue that is seen as creating disagreement or tension. For example, a divisive issue might be one that is seen as creating a clear divide between those who are in favour of it and those who are against it.
In conclusion, the word ‘divisive’ is closest in meaning to ‘causing disagreement or hostility’. It is often used to describe actions, statements, policies or people that are seen as creating tension or division between different groups.