Answer and explanation required

[shah khan]

In the 1950s, integration was

___________

to most Americans; now, however, most
Americans accept it as

___________

.
(A) welcome . . normal
(B) an anathema . . desirable
(C) voluntary . . mandatory
(D) common . . sporadic
(E) an abhorrence. . unusual

Please give the answer and explanation to this sentence.

[geek_goddess]

The answer is E. From the sentence, it is clear that 'integration' used to be viewed differently in the past than it is in the present. This suggests that the two words in the answer choice should be opposites. This eliminates A and D. Now note that 'integration' cannot be voluntary or sporadic. With this, we are left with B and E. Now, from the sentence, it cannot be that the desire of most people becomes strong in the opposite direction. Therefore, it cannot be that people found something an Anathema, and now find it desirable. E fits in best and gives meaning to the sentence as a whole.

hope i helped!

[DUALUM]

I think it's B. E doesn't create the contrast. My 2 cents!

[chestnut.cc]

B... contrast... and in the cultural context... it does fit...

[rokxal]

B, like chestnut mentioned, context fits well. However, the question is biased against anyone living out the states or under a rock. Keep in mind that choices C, and a weak D show contrast. The literal sense of the sentence also doesn't offer other clues. It's moot in that sense so can you tell us the source of the question?

[shah khan]

I looked up the question in NOVA'S GRE prep course. Unfortunately the explanation to the answer choice mentioned in the book doesnt make a good case.
It goes:

"The sentence is pointing out the difference

between the attitudes of people in the ‘50s and
the attitudes today. The answer is (B)."