Question:
From the context in which it is placed, the phrase “sui generis” in paragraph 3 suggests which one of the following?
From the context in which it is placed, the phrase “sui generis” in paragraph 3 suggests which one of the following?
Show Hint
To understand unfamiliar phrases, always rely on the surrounding explanation.
Words like sui generis typically signal uniqueness, not vagueness or generality.
Updated On: Jul 1, 2026
- Particular
- Generic
- Unaesthetic
- Indescribable
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The Correct Option is A
Approach Solution - 1
Approach: For a 'from context, this phrase suggests' question, you do not need the dictionary \(-\) you need the contrast the sentence sets up. Find what 'sui generis' is being opposed to.
Step 1: The passage says serious composers explore 'sui generis languages and forms.' The point being made is that these languages belong only to electronic music and are not borrowed from traditional music \(-\) they are of their own kind, one-of-a-kind.
Step 2: 'Of its own kind' means specific, unique, particular to this music \(-\) the opposite of shared or common. So the contextual sense is 'particular.'
Why the others fail:
Generic is the direct opposite \(-\) it means common to many, exactly what 'sui generis' denies. Unaesthetic (lacking beauty) has nothing to do with uniqueness; the context is about origin and kind, not artistic worth. Indescribable overshoots \(-\) sui generis means hard to classify because it is unique, not impossible to describe; the composers are in fact describing these forms.
Answer: Particular
Step 1: The passage says serious composers explore 'sui generis languages and forms.' The point being made is that these languages belong only to electronic music and are not borrowed from traditional music \(-\) they are of their own kind, one-of-a-kind.
Step 2: 'Of its own kind' means specific, unique, particular to this music \(-\) the opposite of shared or common. So the contextual sense is 'particular.'
Why the others fail:
Generic is the direct opposite \(-\) it means common to many, exactly what 'sui generis' denies. Unaesthetic (lacking beauty) has nothing to do with uniqueness; the context is about origin and kind, not artistic worth. Indescribable overshoots \(-\) sui generis means hard to classify because it is unique, not impossible to describe; the composers are in fact describing these forms.
Answer: Particular
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Approach Solution -2
Step 1: Examine the phrase in context.
In paragraph 3, the author says that the serious-minded composer believes that the “aesthetic magic” of electronic music lies in exploring \(\textit{sui generis}\) languages and forms.
Step 2: Understand the contextual meaning.
The context makes it clear that the composer is not simply using familiar musical structures but is deliberately creating or discovering forms that are:
new,
unique,
original,
distinctive to electronic music.
Step 3: Evaluate the options.
(1) Particular — fits well because sui generis means “of its own kind,” “unique,” or “particular to itself.”
(2) Generic — opposite of the intended meaning.
(3) Unaesthetic — the passage describes the forms as aesthetically magical, not unaesthetic.
(4) Indescribable — the passage never suggests they cannot be described; only that they are unique.
Thus, the meaning conveyed is best represented by Option (1).
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