Understanding the Sentence Structure

The sentence describes the status of a judge's standing in the legal community. It states that this standing was "shaken by false allegations of wrongdoing," but then uses the word "though," which indicates a contrast or concession. This means that despite being shaken, the judge's standing did not actually decline or was not significantly impacted in the long run.

The key to filling the blank correctly lies in understanding the word "though" and "remained." "Though" introduces a contrasting idea, suggesting that what follows is contrary to what might be expected after the initial statement. "Remained" implies that the state continued or persisted.

Analyzing the Options for Judge's Standing

Let's examine each option to see which one best fits the context and maintains the logical flow of the sentence:

• undiminished: This word means "not reduced or lessened." If the judge's standing remained undiminished, it means that despite the false allegations shaking it, its level or respect did not decrease. This perfectly aligns with the contrast implied by "though." It suggests resilience and maintenance of status.
• damaged: This word means "harmed or impaired." If the standing "remained damaged" after being shaken, it would contradict the contrast implied by "though." The sentence structure suggests that despite the shaking, the damage did not persist or was overcome.
• illegal: This word means "against the law." This term is not related to a person's "standing" or reputation in a community. It refers to actions or states that violate legal rules, which is irrelevant to the context of the judge's reputation.
• uncertain: This word means "not able to be relied on; not definite or fixed." While false allegations might initially cause uncertainty, the word "remained" coupled with "though shaken" implies a more definitive outcome regarding the standing. "Undiminished" provides a clearer and more contrasting resolution to the "shaken" state.

Conclusion on Best Word Choice

Given the context, the word "undiminished" is the most appropriate choice. It conveys that despite the challenge posed by false allegations, the judge's standing in the legal community was not reduced or lessened. The sentence highlights the resilience of the judge's reputation against unfounded claims.