The systems analyst hesitated to talk to strangers about his highly specialized work, fearing it was too ___ for people uninitiated in the computer field to understand.
What goes in the blank?
a) intriguing
b) derivative
c) frivolous
d) esoteric
e) rudimentary
Please look these words up in a dictionary. Then you'll know the answer.
Dictionary.com is a good online dictionary.
Look up words you do not know in a dictionary. You may type the word into your web browser (Google, Bing, whatever you use) followed by the word "definition", then enter or click on the search button to find a definition.
The word that fills the blank in the given sentence is "esoteric." In this context, "esoteric" means that the systems analyst's work is highly specialized and has knowledge or information that is only understood by a small group of people with specific expertise in the computer field.
To arrive at this answer, one needs to understand the definitions of the given options and choose the option that best fits the context of the sentence. Here's a breakdown of each option:
a) "Intriguing" means exciting or fascinating, but it doesn't convey the idea that the work is difficult for others to understand.
b) "Derivative" means something that is derived from or based on another source, which doesn't fit the context of the sentence.
c) "Frivolous" means not having any serious purpose or value, which doesn't correctly describe the systems analyst's work.
d) "Esoteric" means intended for or understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, which accurately reflects the systems analyst's hesitation to discuss his work with strangers.
e) "Rudimentary" means basic or elementary, which doesn't reflect the fact that the systems analyst's work is highly specialized.
Therefore, the correct answer is d) esoteric.