Question

The author argues for serious treatment of such arts as crochet and needlework, finding in too many art historians a cultural blindness ---- to their ---- textiles as a medium in which women artists predominate.

• A. traceable.. prejudice against
• B. opposed.. distrust of
• C. referring.. need for
• D. reduced.. respect for
• E. corresponding.. expertise in

Hint:

Pay attention to "trigger words" that indicate the tone or logic of a sentence. Words like "argues for," "finding in too many," and "blindness" all suggest a critical or contrasting perspective.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The sentence contrasts the author's positive view of crochet and needlework with the negative view of "too many art historians." The blanks must be filled with words that describe this negative view, or "cultural blindness."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence structure implies a cause or a nature of the "cultural blindness." This blindness is linked to the fact that textiles are a medium where "women artists predominate." This context strongly suggests a bias or prejudice against these art forms because of their association with women. This fits the second blank perfectly.
If the second blank is "prejudice against," the first blank must connect this prejudice to the cultural blindness. A blindness that is "traceable to their prejudice" makes logical sense, meaning the prejudice is the source of the blindness.
Let's check the complete phrase: "...a cultural blindness traceable to their prejudice against textiles...". This creates a coherent and critical statement, consistent with the author's argument for taking these arts seriously. Option (D) suggests the opposite ("respect for"), and other options like (B) or (E) don't fit the context of "blindness" as well as "prejudice."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The pair "traceable.. prejudice against" best explains the reason for the art historians' "cultural blindness," linking it to a bias against a female-dominated art form.