The self-important cant of musicologists on record jackets often suggests that true appreciation of the music is an (i) _______ process closed to the uninitiated listener, however enthusiastic.

To solve this you need only to focus on the blue part and don't need to know anything else.

the true appreciation of music is some kind of process. What kind of process is it?

is an ________ process closed to the uninitiated listener, however enthusiastic.

The key to this whole TC is the phrase "closed to the uninitiated". In other words, only the initiated can know. In other words, it is an esoteric process. Or an arcane process.


Aside:

cant - 1. language specific to a particular group or profession and regarded with disparagement.
2. hypocritical and sanctimonious talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature.

The self-important cant of musicologists on record jackets - refers to the first definition - probably with the tinge of the latter. This type of talk - a combination of jargon and know-all vibe is something that cannot be understood by the general public and makes them think that the true appreciation of music is a closed process, open only to the initiated.
_________________

Hi Carcass,
Can you please provide a logical explanation for this

The self-important cant of musicologists on record jackets often suggests that true appreciation of the music is an (i) _______ process closed to the uninitiated listener, however enthusiastic

I assume the red part, honestly, I do not know what it says or means. However, we do know that the blue part suggests that something is really a deep process or something positive but rooted in our feeling.

The fact is confirmed by the second part of the sentence (in green).

We do have some process that is enthusiastic and brings us a good feeling though is blurry somehow because is related to the listener who is initiated, sort of a ritual.

B is the answer

arcane

Something which is little hidden or blurry - "Closed to the uninitiated listener" : Arcane

arcane

The self-important cant of musicologists on record jackets often suggests that true appreciation of the music is an (i) _______ process closed to the uninitiated listener, however enthusiastic.

The above sentence has the word however which suggests a contrast. Now however has a -ve value and on the RHS we have enthusiastic. Alternatively, we have a cant(sham/hypocrisy) which is self-important, if something is self important it cannot be understood my many. Choice B arcane exactly matches this idea.

If you find this explanation helpful, please leave Kudos!
Thanks!

The self-important cant of musicologists on record jackets often suggests that true appreciation of the music is an (i) _______ process closed to the uninitiated listener, however enthusiastic.

Here, only the contrast of enthusiastic would work, definitely the blank will fill with something that is not enthusiastic or exciting or alacrity, but the unreliable means not dependent, arrogant means show something badly, elementary means basic, intuitive means something knowledgeable, after eliminating all of this only arcane means mysterious or difficult to understand so what is mysterious or difficult to understand that must be not bringing any exciting. Therefore the appropriate answer must be arcane.

The self-important cant of musicologists on record jackets often suggests that true appreciation of the music is an (i) _______ process closed to the uninitiated listener, however enthusiastic
Uninitiated- without special knowledge
Closed - not open ( not clear)
The process is not open(not clear) to immature listeners. What type of process is not clear to uninitiated listeners?? Arcane process.
Arcane - known to few or hard to understand