20. Baker was struck by the amount of _____ she saw at the renowned medical facility; for all their experience, the physicians could not seem to agree on the correct diagnosis for any given patient.
Answer: A, B
Baker was struck by the amount of discordance she saw at the renowned medical facility.
The term "discordance" effectively conveys the lack of agreement among physicians regarding diagnoses, highlighting the confusion in the medical facility.
A) discordance
This option is correct as it directly addresses the situation where there is a disagreement or lack of harmony among the physicians regarding their diagnoses. "Discordance" suggests a significant level of disagreement, which aligns perfectly with the context of Baker's observation.
B) contention
While "contention" implies disagreement or conflict, it is more often associated with active disputes or arguments. In this context, it does not capture the essence of the situation as effectively as "discordance," which emphasizes the broader concept of disagreement among the physicians without necessarily implying an argument.
C) quackery
"Quackery" refers to fraudulent or unqualified medical practices. This term does not apply here, as the physicians are described as experienced; thus, their inability to agree on diagnoses does not imply that they are practicing quackery.
D) nepotism
Nepotism involves favoritism based on family relationships, which is irrelevant to the context of medical diagnoses. This option does not relate to the disagreement among physicians that Baker observed.
E) indecision
"Indecision" refers to the inability to make a decision, which could apply if the physicians were unsure. However, the emphasis in the extract is on the lack of agreement rather than an inability to decide, making this option less appropriate.
F) cronyism
Cronyism refers to favoritism shown to friends or associates in political or business contexts. This option is not applicable in the context of medical diagnoses and does not relate to the disagreement that Baker noted among physicians.
Conclusion
The choice of "discordance" aptly captures the essence of the situation where physicians are unable to reach a consensus on diagnoses, while "contention" falls short as it suggests a more confrontational disagreement. The other options do not accurately reflect the scenario described, making "discordance" the most appropriate choice.