Question

select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that pejoratively means in a negative or belittling way. there may be more than one correct choice. this conception of the middle ages is largely inaccurate, however. the medieval period saw the founding of the first universities in europe as well as the construction of impressive cathedrals such as the notre-dame of paris. a number of scientific inventions, such as eyeglasses and mechanical clocks, improved everyday life considerably during this time. the use of heavy ploughs, horse collars, and water mills also increased agricultural productivity. there was no paucity of literary genius, either; many poetic masterpieces, such as chaucer’s canterbury tales and dante’s divine comedy, were written during the middle ages. perhaps we should think twice, then, before using the term \middle ages\ pejoratively to describe anything that is perceived as backwards, unsophisticated, or ignorant.

Explanation:

To understand "pejoratively" means negatively/belittling, the text "to describe anything that is perceived as backwards, unsophisticated, or ignorant" helps. These adjectives are negative, showing the belittling use of "Middle Ages" pejoratively. Also, the contrast with the accurate view (universities, inventions, literature) implies the pejorative use is negative.

Answer:

• "to describe anything that is perceived as backwards, unsophisticated, or ignorant"
• (Also, the context of the paragraph showing the Middle Ages had positive developments (universities, inventions, literature) contrasts with the negative use implied by "pejoratively" when describing as backwards/unsophisticated/ignorant, but the direct helpful text is the one with the negative adjectives.)