Explanation

The sentence suggests that both Roth’s original conception and his execution were negative, but it relies on the contrast between these to create irony. While the “deterioration” and “decline” produce sentences alike in meaning, they do not capture the irony demanded by the use of the word “quite.” While “ambition” and “persistence” may each capture that irony, there are no other words that when paired with them would produce sentences alike in meaning. Thus the correct answer is talent (Choice C) and genius (Choice F).
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Hi,
Could you please elaborate a little further? I found the same explanation in the ETS Verbal book. I just don't see the irony as mentioned in the answer. My understanding of the sentence is as follows -

His original conception/idea for his novel was boring/dull. He realized this fact and did not go forward with original dull and boring conception/idea and instead, he wrote a novel which was far from dull and boring, meaning his execution was positive.

What do you think?

yes, you are right. ETS example is similar enough.

It is a testimony to Roth’s _______ that he could not quite bring himself to write a book as dull and flat as his original conception for his novel Everyman seemed to demand.

The blue part denotes just a touch of irony. He was such a genius that for him was almost impossible to write a dull novel, even if he wanted.

Hope now is more clear to you

Regards
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Roth was so genius that even if he was compelled to rite a dull book, he wouldn't.
So the answer is Genius and Talent.

what escapes my understanding is - 1. how can a conception demand a dull and flat writing? 2. Suppose that it does, then, it would be to communicate something specific I believe. In that case, not fulfilling the demand won't be called an act of genius, it would rather be something negative. Then, B, E should be the answer.
Can someone please clarify on these 2 fronts?

I am not quite sure I got what you mean. However, the explanations provided above are pretty clear and explicative.

Even if we do use the pair strategy

A) persistence

B) deterioration

C) talent

D) ambition

E) decline

F) genius


As you can see two answers have no pair so they are out.

Deterioration and decline are out of scope.

You should apply several strategies to win the question. Alone or in conjunction. This is the trick of every question into this test.

Regards
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This is my understanding of the sentence:

The word 'testimony' usually takes a positive connotation. Now, his original conception for the novel was dull and flat but he could not bring himself to write something that dull. That means, he wrote something which was not dull. On elimination, the only options that fit 'not dull' are options C and F.
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Why are persistence and ambition not pairs? Aren't they similar enough in meaning?

Totally different.

Maybe your ambition is driven by persistence.

But no way they are synonyms
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It is a testimony to Roth’s _______ that he could not quite bring himself to write a book as dull and flat as his original conception for his novel Everyman seemed to demand.

If Roth could not bring himself to write a book that was dull and flat, then it proves he is very imaginative and incapable of writing dull works. This means he has a higher level of talent or capacity. Clearly the only synonymous choices which make sense are talent and genius.

Even if your own word is imagination, the only words that come close are talent and genius.
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