Question

at an elite u.s. music conservatory, a new donor - funded initiative instructs faculty to keep juries \supportive,\ discouraging failing grades, harsh written comments, or threats of dismissal so that social media clips of lessons will look warm and affirming, causing some professors worry that, over time, the school will come to seem _____.
3 mark for review
which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
a punitive
b detached
c prestigious
d indulgent

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: "punitive" means inflicting punishment. The initiative discourages harshness, so the school wouldn't seem punitive. Eliminate A.
• Option B: "detached" means emotionally distant. The initiative aims for a warm image, so detached doesn't fit. Eliminate B.
• Option C: "prestigious" refers to high reputation. The issue is about the school's tone, not prestige. Eliminate C.
• Option D: "indulgent" means overly lenient or permissive. By discouraging failing grades and harsh feedback to look warm, the school might seem too lenient (indulgent) over time, which matches professors' worry.

Answer:

D. indulgent