The artisans of the Igun Eronmwon guild in Benin City, Nigeria, typically ______ the bronze- and brass-casting techniques that
have been passed down through their families since the thirteenth century, but they don’t strictly observe every tradition; for
example, guild members now use air-conditioning motors instead of handheld bellows to help heat their forges.
experiment with
adhere to
improve on
grapple with
Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of bronze- and brass-casting
techniques used by the Igun Eronmwon guild. In this context “adhere to” would mean to act in accordance with. The text
states that although members of the Igun Eronmwon guild typically do something with techniques that have been passed
down since the thirteenth century, they “don’t strictly observe every tradition.” By establishing a contrast with not always
following traditions, the context suggests that guild members do typically adhere to traditional techniques.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context “experiment with” would mean to do something new with. Although using
motors rather than manual bellows is presented as a new approach, the text establishes a contrast between what the guild
members typically do with techniques that have been passed down over centuries and the idea that the members “don’t
strictly observe every tradition.” The phrase “experiment with” wouldn’t support the contrast because regularly trying new
things with the techniques would be an example of not strictly following all traditions. Choice C is incorrect because in this
context “improve on” would mean to make better. Although using motors rather than manual bellows might be an improved
approach, the text establishes a contrast between what the guild members typically do with techniques that have been
passed down over centuries and the idea that the members “don’t strictly observe every tradition.” The phrase “improve on”
wouldn’t support the contrast because regularly making changes to the techniques would be an example of not strictly
following all traditions. Choice D is incorrect because in this context “grapple with” would mean to try hard to solve a diﬃcult
problem. Although bronze- and brass-casting are likely challenging tasks, nothing in the text suggests that the guild
members have any particular diﬃculties with the techniques passed down since the thirteenth century.