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:

1. Analyze the context: The passage says the course requirements are "rigorous but fair" and the course is "challenging, but in a good way". So "rigorous" here means strict and requiring a lot of effort, but not overly harsh in a negative way.
2. Analyze each option:

• "demanding": Requires a lot of effort, time, or attention, which matches the context of rigorous course requirements.
• "harsh": Implies cruelty or unpleasantness, which doesn't fit as the requirements are also fair and the course is challenging in a good way.
• "rigid": Means strict and inflexible, but the context doesn't suggest inflexibility, just that the requirements are strict and thorough. However, "rigid" can be a synonym in terms of strictness, but let's check others.
• "severe": Implies strictness with a negative connotation, which doesn't fit the "but fair" and "good way" context.
• "thorough": Means detailed and complete, which also fits as the syllabus is detailed and the requirements are comprehensive. Wait, but the question says two words. Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, let's re - evaluate.

Wait, in the context of course requirements, "rigorous" means that the requirements are strict, thorough, and demanding. Let's check the options again:

• "demanding": Correct, as course requirements that are rigorous would be demanding (requiring effort).
• "thorough": Correct, as a rigorous course would have thorough (detailed, comprehensive) requirements.

Wait, but maybe the intended answers are "demanding" and "rigid"? No, let's think again. The passage says "the course is definitely challenging, but in a good way" and "requirements are rigorous but fair". So "rigorous" here is about being strict and requiring effort (demanding) and also being thorough (comprehensive). But maybe the options are "demanding" and "thorough"? Wait, no, let's check the definitions:

• Rigorous: 1. extremely thorough and careful. 2. strict and severe.

In the context, since it's "but fair" and "challenging in a good way", the "strict and severe" with a negative connotation (harsh, severe) are out. So the positive - leaning synonyms for the "thorough and careful" or "strict but fair" sense:

• Demanding: Requires much effort, which is similar to rigorous (as rigorous requirements would demand effort).
• Thorough: Detailed and complete, which is similar to rigorous (as rigorous work is thorough).

Wait, but maybe the answer is 1. demanding and 5. thorough? Or 1. demanding and 3. rigid? Wait, let's check the standard synonyms of rigorous. Rigorous can mean strict, demanding, thorough, exacting. So in the context, "demanding" (requiring effort) and "thorough" (detailed) are good. But let's see the options again. The options are:

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

So the two words most similar in meaning to rigorous (in the context of course requirements which are fair and challenging in a good way) are "demanding" (because the course is challenging, so requirements are demanding) and "thorough" (because the syllabus is detailed, so requirements are thorough). Wait, but maybe the intended answers are 1. demanding and 3. rigid? No, rigid implies inflexibility, which isn't suggested here. Alternatively, maybe "demanding" and "thorough" are the correct two.

Answer:

1. demanding
2. thorough