Understanding the Sentence Blank and Word Meanings

The question asks us to find a pair of words that fit into the blank space in the sentence to make two sentences with equivalent meanings. The sentence describes the feelings of senior faculty members who were used to a "collegial and egalitarian" environment but were alienated by the tone of the new department chair's remarks. "Collegial" means relating to a college or university, especially its governing body, or shared responsibility among colleagues. "Egalitarian" means believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. Therefore, the blank needs words that describe a tone that is the opposite of friendly, cooperative, and equal – likely something commanding, arrogant, or dictatorial.

Analyzing the Options for the Sentence Blank

Let's look at the meanings of the words provided in the options:

• Sanguine: Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently difficult or challenging situation.
• Propitious: Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable.
• Saturnine: Slow and gloomy.
• Ignominious: Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
• Peremptory: Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusquely imperious way.
• Imperious: Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.

We need a pair of words where both could describe a tone that is arrogant, commanding, or dictatorial, fitting the contrast with "collegial and egalitarian".

Evaluating Each Word Pair Option

Let's consider how each pair fits the context:

1. Sanguine and Propitious: These words describe optimism, favorability, or good chances. A "sanguine" or "propitious" tone would likely be welcoming and positive, not alienating to faculty seeking a collegial environment. This pair does not fit the blank.
2. Saturnine and Ignominious: "Saturnine" means gloomy, and "ignominious" means causing shame. A gloomy tone might be off-putting, but it's not necessarily the opposite of collegial/egalitarian in the sense of being arrogant or commanding. An "ignominious" tone doesn't fit the context at all, as it describes something shameful, not the manner of speaking itself in this sense. This pair does not fit the blank.
3. Peremptory and Ignominious: "Peremptory" fits the idea of being commanding, which is opposite to egalitarian. However, "ignominious" means shameful, which does not describe the tone of an arrogant chair's remarks in this context. This pair does not fit the blank.
4. Imperious and Peremptory: "Imperious" means arrogant and domineering, clearly the opposite of collegial and egalitarian. "Peremptory" means insisting on obedience in a brusquely imperious way, also fitting the description of a commanding and possibly arrogant tone. Both "imperious" and "peremptory" describe a tone that would be unwelcome to faculty used to a collegial and equal manner. This pair fits the blank well, providing two words with similar meanings in this context.

Conclusion: The Best Fit Words

Based on the meanings of the words and the context of the sentence, both "imperious" and "peremptory" accurately describe a tone that is the opposite of "collegial and egalitarian". An imperious tone is arrogant and dominating, while a peremptory tone is commanding and allows no refusal. Both tones would alienate senior faculty members accustomed to being treated as equals and colleagues.

Therefore, the most appropriate pair of words for filling the blank space is "Imperious and Peremptory".