<p>The ------- with which merchants and landowners in
early-nineteenth-century Maryland and Virginia -------
Joshua Johnstons professional services attests to his
artistic skill as a portrait painter.
(A) avidness . . sought
(B) diffidence . . purchased
(C) patience . . replaced
(D) elegance . . regarded
(E) zealousness . . overlooked </p>
<p>The answer is A but why could it not be D? Please give me an explanation.</p>
<p>Elegance? That does not fit at all. By choosing D you are saying that they sought him with elegance or thy sought him elegantly. Nope.</p>
<p>@dougiezmd is it not saying that they regarded his work as elegant?</p>
<p>It is not D because that would be saying that the merchants and landowners regarded Johnston’s work elegantly. Elegance is referring to the merchants, and HOW they regarded Johnston’s paintings. It is not saying that they regarded his paintings AS elegant.
I hope that makes sense. :)</p>
<p>We can’t regard something with elegance. We regard it as elegant.</p>
<p>Speak for yourself. I’m well known for the elegance with which I regard people, places, and things. In fact, my regarding technique is widely imitated in big budget Hollywood blockbusters. Next time you see Di Caprio or Gosling engaged in some on-screen regarding, you can rest assured they’re using the Marvin100 method for maximum elegance.</p>
<p>Thank you guys! That makes sense!</p>