Which of the following words used in the passage reinforces the idea contained…

Concept

This is a vocabulary-in-context question testing the synonym relationship between words. To 'reinforce the idea' of a key word, an option must share or strengthen its core sense. The word DISSONANCE means a harsh, inharmonious clash of sounds, or a lack of harmony and agreement.

Application

Compare each candidate's core meaning against the sense of discord and harsh, jarring sound carried by DISSONANCE:

• Cacophony means a harsh, jarring mixture of discordant sounds. This is the same sense of clashing, unharmonious noise that DISSONANCE expresses, so it directly reinforces the idea.

• Aspersions means false or damaging accusations against someone's character; it concerns slander, not sound or harmony.

• Strategy means a careful plan of action designed to reach a goal; it has no connection to harmony or noise.

• Transition means the process of changing from one state to another; it concerns change, not discord.

Cross-check

Only one option carries the 'lack of harmony / harsh sound' sense that defines DISSONANCE. Cacophony is the matching synonym (both are listed together as near-synonyms in standard dictionaries), so it is the word that reinforces the idea contained in DISSONANCE.