Question

this semester, with some trepidation, i decided to take a class on shakespeares tragedies. i appreciate that ms. robertson established clear expectations for students: the course requirements are rigorous but fair. on the first day of class, she handed out a detailed syllabus listing all the required readings, in - class projects, homework assignments, and tests. the course is definitely challenging, but in a good way, and ms. robertson is always very supportive and encouraging.
select the two words that are most similar in meaning to rigorous as it is used in the passage.

1. demanding
2. harsh
3. rigid
4. severe
5. thorough

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the context of "rigorous" in the passage (course requirements with readings, projects, etc., and the course is challenging but good).

• "demanding": Requires effort, matches rigorous course requirements.
• "harsh": Has a negative connotation (too strict), passage says "fair", so not harsh.
• "rigid": Inflexible, but the passage implies thoroughness, not inflexibility.
• "severe": Harsh or strict, negative, not matching "fair" context.
• "thorough": Detailed and comprehensive, matches the rigorous (thorough) course requirements.

So the two words with similar meaning to "rigorous" (in context) are "demanding" and "thorough".

Answer:

1. demanding, 5. thorough