a confusing sentence

[dsezhdf]

Despite these vague categories, one should not claim unequivocally that hostility between recognizable classes cannot be legitimately observed.

The sentence above is confusing for me. The word "should not", "unequivocally", "cannot" confused me. And if in future I come across the sentence similar to this, is any advices given to solve it?

[tommywallach]

Hey dsezhdf,

The GRE RC section does love the confusing sentences. The key is always to translate the big words into smaller ones:

One shouldn't say that hostility between classes can never be observed.

"unequivocally" can be replaced with "never," as unequivocally means "definitively, or without exception," more or less.

"Legitimately" isn't really adding anything, so we can cut it.

"Should not" is not a particularly complicated construction.

The only way to get better at reading complex constructions is to make sure to read as much as possible, particularly material that is difficult for you.

Hope that helps!

-t

[bhushanjain.87apr21]

Tom,

From where to practice the convoluted sentences??

Thanks,
B

[tommywallach]

In our books! And by reading difficult materials in English on your own time! Good luck!

-t