6. Sophie's knowledge of the field was elementary , to be sure, but what she had studied she knew well.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt presents a sentence with a specific word in quotation marks that functions as the target term to be selected: 'elementary'.
First, consider the phrase: 'Sophie's knowledge of the field was elementary, to be sure, but what she had studied she knew well.' The structure is: [Subject] [linking verb] [adjective] , to be sure, but [clause]. This pattern invites an evaluation of whether the adjective adequately characterizes the knowledge level described.
Next, analyze the meaning of 'elementary' in this context. 'Elementary' typically denotes something at a basic or foundational level, often implying limited depth or sophistication. In this sentence, the contrast introduced by 'but what she had studied she knew well' suggests that although her overall grasp of the field was basic, she had proficiency in the specific material she had studied. This creates a natural and coherent contrast: limited breadth or complexity overall, paired with solid, studied content.
Now, assess the grammatical fit. 'Knowledge ... was elementary' uses 'elementary' as a predicative adjective describing 'knowledge'. The adverbial phrase 'to be sure' serves as a parenthetical emphasis, reinforcing the diagnostic tone of the statement. The conjunction 'but' introduces a concessive idea, typical in constructions that balance a general claim with a specific exception or qualifier.
If we were to consider alternatives (even though they are not provided here), words like 'rudimentary', 'basic', or 'foundational' would similarly convey a low to moderate level of knowledge, but each carries slightly different nuance. 'Rudimentary' implies even more limited sophistication, 'basic' suggests essential elements without implying depth, and 'foundational' signals a core but possibly insufficient breadth.
In summary, the adjective 'elementary' appropriately characterizes knowledge as basic in scope while the second clause clarifies that the studied content itself was well understood. The sentence achieves a clear, balanced contrast between overall level and focused mastery.

CLA 030 001 WQ 2025 Homework 16: Easily Confused Words, p. 122

6. Sophie's knowledge of the field was elementary , to be sure, but what she had studied she knew well.

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