The correct answer is shown in the picture. The reason given is that apathy and optimism do not suggest a contrast from blandness but candor does. I’m having a hard time understanding how candor strikes a contrast from blandness. The former means truthful while the latter means boring.
I’m reasoning that candor makes the best antonym for obfuscation but that was not the reason provided in the PP+ solution. Does anybody have additional evidence that would help solve these type of hard text completions in the future?
Bland can mean boring, tasteless, colorless, or lacking care or concern. The story this TC is trying to tell is that there are some government officials’ whose newfound concern (blank 1: “candor in”) for the country’s problems is surprising to some people because these people are used to (blank 2: “accustomed”) the lack of care/concern and even occasional obscuring (blank 3: obfuscation) of the country’s problems.
Moreover, while candor does mean truthfulness, in this context, candor more closely means forthright sincerity. So, this definition of candor draws a sharp contrast with being bland or insouciant and even attempting to hide the truth by obscuring it.
Keep in mind you’re just looking for the best answer out of all those given, not the best answer EVER. I agree with you that candor isn’t a synonym for novelty or excitement, but it’s the best choice out of what we’ve got.
If I were sitting there in the exam room, my reasoning would be “Obfuscation -> Candor.” That’s it. It’s on topic and it’s a direct antonym. If PP+ doesn’t give that as a reason provided, I think they’re cheating people out of a helpful technique
