<p>Hi, this question is from the SAT Online Course, test 5. </p>
<p>After David left him waiting for the third consecutive time, Kirk realized that the same behavior he had initially valued as spontaneous and carefree was, in fact, simply _______.</p>
<p>(A) capricious
(B) incontrovertible
(C) extraneous
(D) captivating
(E) inscrutable</p>
<p>The correct answer is (A), but I don't understand why it is correct. Shouldn't the use of the "initially valued" imply that Kirk changed his mind about David's behavior, so the word needed should be the opposite of "spontaneous and carefree?" Wouldn't "capricious" be the same as "spontaneous and carefree"? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s important to remember that the questions is asking for a word similar to spontaneous and carefree, but still slightly different. Therefore, capricious is the only word that fits.</p>
<p>Spontaneous: Given to acting upon sudden impulses.
Capricious: Subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice (a sudden unpredictable change) or whim; erratic</p>
<p>Jumper008, are you in AP English Language? If so, you might know what I’m about to talk about. You and tysonisasaint is right in saying that the question wants a word similar to “spontaneous and carefree.” The reason that “capricious” is the correct answer is because it has a different CONNOTATION than “spontaneous and carefree” does. Spontaneous and carefree has a positive connotation of being flexible and going with the flow, whereas caprice implies that David’s behavior is annoying BECAUSE of the fact that it is unpredictable and going with the flow. Capricious is frequently used to describe gods or deities who kill/play with humans whenever they like; you may or may not have already encountered the use of capricious in this manner.</p>
<p>The sentence as a whole is saying that Kirk initially thought he liked David’s go-with-the-flow attitude, but in reality, David’s attitude is a bad thing.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, tysonisasaint and alwaysawriter!</p>
<p>Haha, yes, I am in AP Lang! I read the problem again, and I see the different connotations now. :D</p>
<p>Capricious means unpredictable. He initially thought his friend was spontaneous and carefree but not after his friend was late. So he thinks his friend is unpredictable</p>
<p>Have a nice day</p>