Question

this semester, with some trepidation, i decided to take a class on shakespeares tragedies. i appreciate that ms. robertson establishes clear expectations for students: the course requirements are rigorous but fair. on the first day of class, she handed out a detailed syllabus listing all the required readings, in - class projects, homework assignments, and tests. the course is definitely challenging, but in a good way, and ms. robertson is always very supportive and encouraging.
select the two words that are most similar in meaning to rigorous as it is used in the passage.

1. demanding
2. harsh
3. rigid
4. severe
5. thorough

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the context of "rigorous" in the passage. The course has clear expectations, detailed syllabus with various tasks, and is challenging but fair.

• "demanding": A demanding course has high requirements, matching "rigorous" here as the course has many tasks (readings, projects, etc.).
• "thorough": A rigorous course would be thorough in its requirements (covering all aspects with detailed syllabus), so this fits.
• "harsh", "rigid", "severe" have negative connotations or imply inflexibility, but the passage says "fair" and the course is challenging in a good way, so they don't match as well as "demanding" and "thorough".

Answer:

1. demanding, 5. thorough