FOREGROUND can be used as either a noun or as a verb. When it is used as a noun, FOREGROUND refers the scene in a painting or photograph that is in front of the viewer. Placing a person or object in the FOREGROUND emphasizes its importance. Similarly, when FOREGROUND or FOREGROUNDED is used as a verb, it means to emphasize by bringing a topic to the center of attention.
SAT test writers are currently using FOREGROUND as a correct answer in passages that discuss art and dance. Let’s take a look at both recent examples:
The Romantic versus Realist Cluster contains a set of vocabulary in context questions that contrast the works of these two nineteenth century schools or art. Romantic artists exaggerated their subjects’ beauty or heroism while hiding all imperfections. In contrast, Realist artists placed average working people in the FOREGROUND of their paintings. This deliberate choice FOREGROUNDED or emphasized the often tedious working conditions endured by common people.
During the 1960’s innovative dancers affiliated with the Judson Dance Theater redefined the concept of dance by rejecting traditional dance conventions. Instead, the group invented the precepts of postmodern dance by prioritizing or FOREGROUNDING everyday movements built around everyday actions like walking, running, sitting and even eating. The passage contained tempting wrong answers that included CONTRIVED (artificial and therefore lacking a natural feel), AMENDED (revised), and REPUDIATED (rejected).
FOREGROUND has become a ubiquitous presence on recent SAT questions. For example, it appeared as a key word in a dual passage question. But beware: FOREGROUNDING is also frequently being used as a tempting wrong answer!
FOREGROUND – to emphasize by bringing a topic to the center of attention; accentuate