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Sep 04, 2026

Select one entry for the blank. Fill the blank in the way that best completes the text.

The loading icon, which was designed to make the user feel productive, actually does the opposite: it reinforces a sense of __________.

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Scott Woodbury-Stewart Founder and Expert GRE Instructor

Text Solution:

Notice that “which” refers to “the loading icon.” So, “the loading icon” is the thing that “was designed to make the user feel productive.”

Notice also that “it” logically could only refer to “the loading icon.”

(A) brevity

Reinforcing a sense of “brevity” (briefness) is not “the opposite” of making the user “feel productive.” People can feel productive in a short span of time or a long one. This choice doesn’t clearly relate to productivity and thus is off-topic.

(B) fruitfulness

This choice is the opposite of what we need. Since “fruitfulness” is a synonym of “productivity,” reinforcing a sense of “fruitfulness” is certainly not “the opposite” of making the user “feel productive.” Those two things agree.

(C) anticipation

Reinforcing a sense of “anticipation” (excitement about something upcoming) is not “the opposite” of making the user “feel productive.” If anything, a user with a sense of anticipation would feel productive because of feeling excited about what’s upcoming. So, this choice does not create the contrast with “make the user feel productive” that we need.

(D) monotony

Although “monotony” (sameness, repetition) may seem to be incompatible with productivity, or more associated with boredom than with “doing things,” productivity and monotony can go hand-in-hand (for example, on an assembly line in a factory). Thus, reinforcing a sense of “monotony” is not “the opposite” of making the user “feel productive.”

CORRECT ANSWER(E) idleness

This is the only choice that is clearly related to what is discussed in the sentence and is logical in context. Reinforcing a sense of “idleness” (inactivity) is in fact “the opposite” of making the user “feel productive.”

Correct answer:

idleness

LEARNING JOURNAL

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