The artisans of the Igun Eronmwon guild in Benin City, Nigeria, typically____the bronze- and brass-casting techniques that have been passed down through their families since the thirteenth century, but they don’t strictly observe every tradition; for example, guild members now use air-conditioning motors instead of handheld bellows to help heat their forges.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

The details and facts help to draw the main idea of the passage.

Can you summarize what you’ve understood in the above steps?

Choice A is incorrect because, in this context, “experiment with” would mean to do something new. Although using motors rather than manual bellows is presented as a new approach, the text establishes a contrast between what the guildmembers typically do with techniques that have been passed down over centuries and the idea that the members “don’t strictly observe every tradition.” The phrase “experiment with” wouldn’t support the contrast because regularly trying new things with the techniques would be an example of not strictly following all traditions.

experiment with

Choice B is the correct answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of bronze- and brass-casting techniques used by the Igun Eronmwon guild. In this context “adhere to” would mean to act in accordance with. The text states that although members of the Igun Eronmwon guild typically do something with techniques that have been passed down since the thirteenth century, they “don’t strictly observe every tradition.” By establishing a contrast with not always following traditions, the context suggests that guild members do typically adhere to traditional techniques.

adhere to

Choice C is incorrect because in this context “improve on” would mean to make better. Although using motors rather than manual bellows might be an improved approach, the text establishes a contrast between what the guild members typically do with techniques that have been passed down over centuries and the idea that the members “don’t strictly observe every tradition.” The phrase “improve on”wouldn’t support the contrast because regularly making changes to the techniques would be an example of not strictly following all traditions.

improve on

Choice D is incorrect because, in this context, “grapple with” would mean to try hard to solve a different problem. Although bronze- and brass-casting are likely challenging tasks, nothing in the text suggests that the guildmembers have any particular difficulties with the techniques passed down since the thirteenth century.

grapple with

Correct sentence

The choice that completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase - adhere to

Choice

B

Can you summarize what you’ve understood in the above steps?