Big Book Sentence Completion #1

[Psyoutlaw]

Prudery actually draws attention to the vice it is suppsed to ___; the very act that forbids speech or prohibits sight ____ what is hidden.

A)condemn...distorts
B)monotor...signals
C)repress...dramatizes
D)obviate...fostes
E)divulge...conceals

Please explain your answer.

Psyoutlaw

[wood]

Tough one.

Prudery is excessively modest behavior or self-righteousness (or even piousness). Prudery will either "condemn" or "repress" vice (imperfection, immorality). So, B, D, and E are out.

I'm dubious about the second part. But I believe I'd go with A. To condemn is an act that forbids speech or prohibits sight and also distorts (twist out of the true meaning) what is hidden.

What's the answer?

[MS]

is it (C)?

[Psyoutlaw]

The answer is C.
I could not get it right though.

[pamrs]

Originally posted by Psyoutlaw

The answer is C.
I could not get it right though.

There's a discussion of this one elsewhere. It's the old "forbidden fruit" story -- the thing we are not supposed to do/see/hear becomes the focus of attention.