Novelist N. K. Jemisin declines to ______ the conventions of the science ﬁction genre in which she writes, and she has
suggested that her readers appreciate her work precisely because of this willingness to thwart expectations and avoid
formulaic plots and themes.
question
react to
perceive
conform to
Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Jemisin’s writing. In this context,
“conform to” means to act in accordance with something. The text suggests that in her science ﬁction writing, Jemisin’s
willingness to go against expectations and not use plots and themes that seem to follow a formula reﬂects how she treats
the standard practices of the genre. This context conveys that Jemisin chooses not to act in accordance with those
conventions.
Choice A is incorrect. In this context, “question” would mean doubt or object to. The text indicates that Jemisin is willing to
go against expectations and not use formulaic plots and themes in her science ﬁction writing, suggesting that she may
actually object to those conventions of the genre, not that she chooses not to question them. Choice B is incorrect because
the text indicates that in her science ﬁction writing, Jemisin is willing to go against expectations and not use formulaic plots
and themes. Rather than suggesting that Jemisin chooses not to “react to,” or act in response to, the standard practices of
the genre, this context suggests that she is acting in response to such conventions by deliberately avoiding them. Choice C
is incorrect. In this context, “perceive” would mean become aware of or understand. The text indicates that in her science
ﬁction writing, Jemisin is willing to go against expectations and not use formulaic plots and themes. This context conveys
that Jemisin is aware of and deliberately avoids those conventions of the genre, not that she chooses not to be aware of
them.