From Robert Louis Stevenson's essay *An Apology for Idlers* (1881). Select the word that fits the blank. "Hence physicists condemn the unphysical; financiers have only a superficial toleration for those who know little of stocks; literary persons despise the unlettered; and people of all pursuits combine to ______ those who have none."
Apraise
Bemploy
Cdisparage
Dignore
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. disparage
The sentence builds a four-part parallel of contempt: physicists *condemn*, financiers show only *superficial toleration*, literary persons *despise*. The fourth clause must complete the pattern with another verb meaning *to look down on*.
"Disparage" — to belittle or speak slightingly of — fits the parallel exactly. The other three verbs in the chain (*condemn*, *despise*, *toleration*) all express negative valuation, and "disparage" is the natural fourth.
- "Praise" inverts the meaning.
- "Employ" doesn't fit semantically.
- "Ignore" is too neutral — Stevenson's point is *active* dismissal by all working pursuits.
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