Studying wrappers from discontinued candies, cover images from out-of-print magazines, and posters promoting concerts by long-forgotten musicians may seem like a frivolous pursuit, but ephemeral objects like these are useful as _____ cultural change, revealing shifts in norms, values, and concerns that traditional objects of historical inquiry may not.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Explanation
Context: Studying discontinued candy wrappers and old posters "may seem like a frivolous pursuit." But ephemeral objects are useful as [blank] "cultural change"—evidence of it.
Answer: C) manifestations of
Why? Evidence of = expressions of. Manifestations of = expressions of.
Traps:
- A) pretexts for → means excuses, different
- B) conjectures about → means guesses, different
- D) inducements to → means incentives, different