New Mexico Revolt: Which Word Fits Best?

Hey guys! Let's dive into a bit of history and language. We're tackling a sentence completion question that involves a historical event in New Mexico. The sentence goes like this: "____ the governor of New Mexico freed the Native American prisoners, a large-scale revolt was still organized." Our mission is to pick the best word from the options provided to fill in that blank. The options are: A. Instead, B. Although, C. Especially, and D. Discussion. This isn't just about grammar; it’s about understanding the context and how different words can change the meaning of a sentence.

Understanding the Context

To nail this question, we need to understand the context of the sentence. We know that the governor of New Mexico released Native American prisoners. You might think this would prevent a revolt, right? But the sentence tells us that, despite this action, a large-scale revolt still happened. This suggests a contrast or unexpected outcome. Understanding this contrast is key to choosing the right word. We aren't simply looking for a word that sounds good; we need one that logically connects the two parts of the sentence, highlighting the surprising fact that a revolt occurred even after the prisoners were freed. Think of it like this: if someone does something you expect will solve a problem, but the problem persists anyway, you need a word that signals that unexpected continuation.

Analyzing the Options

Let's break down each option and see how well it fits:

• A. Instead: "Instead" implies a replacement of one thing by another. If we use "instead," the sentence would suggest that the revolt was organized in place of the governor freeing the prisoners. This doesn't really make sense. The governor's action and the revolt aren't mutually exclusive alternatives. Instead often indicates a direct substitution, which isn't what's happening in our sentence. The revolt didn't replace the freeing of prisoners; it happened despite it.
• B. Although: "Although" introduces a contrast or concession. It acknowledges one fact but then presents another that seems to contradict or undermine it. "Although the governor of New Mexico freed the Native American prisoners, a large-scale revolt was still organized" – this makes perfect sense! It highlights the surprising fact that even with this act of goodwill (the prisoner release), the revolt still happened. This option effectively captures the unexpected continuation.
• C. Especially: "Especially" emphasizes something as being particularly important or noteworthy. Using "especially" doesn't create a logical connection between the two parts of the sentence. It would suggest that the revolt was organized because the governor freed the prisoners, which is the opposite of what we want to convey. Especially is used to highlight a specific instance or aspect, not to show a contrast or unexpected outcome.
• D. Discussion: "Discussion" doesn't fit grammatically or logically. It's a noun, and we need a conjunction to connect the two clauses in the sentence. Discussion simply doesn't make sense in this context. It doesn't provide any meaningful connection or contrast between the governor's actions and the subsequent revolt.

The Correct Answer

Based on our analysis, the best answer is B. Although. It's the only option that creates a logical and meaningful connection between the two parts of the sentence, highlighting the contrast between the governor's action and the unexpected revolt. Although clearly signals that the revolt occurred despite the governor's attempt to appease the Native Americans.

Why "Although" Works Best

"Although" is a subordinating conjunction, which means it connects a subordinate clause (a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence) to a main clause (a clause that can stand alone). In our sentence, "Although the governor of New Mexico freed the Native American prisoners" is the subordinate clause, and "a large-scale revolt was still organized" is the main clause. The word although shows the relationship between these two clauses. It indicates that the action in the main clause happened despite the action in the subordinate clause. This creates a sense of surprise or irony, which is exactly what the sentence intends to convey.

Consider other ways to express the same idea: "Even though the governor of New Mexico freed the Native American prisoners, a large-scale revolt was still organized." "Despite the fact that the governor of New Mexico freed the Native American prisoners, a large-scale revolt was still organized." These alternatives use different words, but they all convey the same sense of contrast and unexpected continuation. This reinforces the idea that although is the perfect fit for our sentence.

Historical Significance

While this question is primarily about grammar and sentence structure, it touches on a significant historical event. Understanding the context of the New Mexico revolt can add another layer of understanding to the question. The revolt likely had deep-seated causes, such as land disputes, cultural clashes, and resentment towards colonial rule. The governor's act of freeing prisoners may have been a well-intentioned effort to ease tensions, but it clearly wasn't enough to address the underlying issues. This highlights the complexity of historical events and the fact that simple solutions don't always work. Recognizing these complexities can help you better understand the nuances of the sentence and why a word like although, which signals contrast and unexpected outcomes, is the most appropriate choice.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! The best word to complete the sentence is "Although". Remember, when tackling sentence completion questions, always consider the context, analyze each option carefully, and choose the word that creates the most logical and meaningful connection between the different parts of the sentence. And hey, a little historical knowledge never hurts either! Keep practicing, and you'll become a sentence completion master in no time.