I tried solving this text completion question using a “math” strategy. I thought the word “though” should signal a contrast between “few and meager” and the sentence containing the blank. However, I noticed that the blank is followed by “few and simple,” and the correct answer is “commensurate,” which actually creates a support (not a contrast). I realize I’m misunderstanding the sentence structure. Could you please explain what I’m getting wrong?
“Though” is meant to contrast with the typical expectations we would have for people in such a difficult situation.
When we think about people who have little power and satisfaction, we’d usually conceive of them as being bothered by that—we’d expect them to want more. However, in this case, the primeval people had very little expectation for power and comfort, and so were content with this way of living.
We can add a word to reinforce the idea happening here:
The powers and satisfactions on primeval people, though few and meager, were actually [commensurate to] their few and simple desires.