5 lb manhattan prep, text completion , question 39

[joshuacool4]

In column I motley and variegated mean the same. explain this. also how do u reach option E , even in column II

thanks.

[tommywallach]

Hey Joshua,

You should make a point of looking up the words somewhere before you say they have same meaning (and then you can post both meanings here on the forum).

Variegated means either "multicolored" or "varied." Motley means "incongruously varied." Because hodgepodge means "a confused mixture," motley fits much better.

From here, because of the pivot "while," we know the second half of the sentence presents a contrast to a "motley hodgepodge." Even means "having little variation," so that fits for the second blank. And for the third blank, sole, meaning "restricted to one person," also contrasts with the "motley hodgepodge."

Hope that helps!

-t

P.S. I'm not sure what you meant by answer choice (E), given that there aren't 5 lettered choices here...