Parlance or discourse

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

A negative aspect of the increased dominance of Big Business in the United States is that political ________ might come to center on economic matters, ignoring the larger requirements of civil society. Such society would have lost its perspective, seeing what should be a means to an end-business-as an end in itself; this might lead to excessive competitiveness, individualism, materialism, and _______ in society.

  1. a. parlance
    b. discourse
    c. bombast
  2. a. impassivity
    b. cupidity
    c. narcissism

Hi! experts. The answer to the blanks is given (discourse, cupidity) in book source: https://www.amazon.com/Barrons-GRE-Verbal-Workbook-2nd/dp/143800379X

If I take parlance and narcissism what will be wrong, can you please explain?
And what does the bold part mean?

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I agree with the answer above, but I didn’t understand the phrase in bold. Could you explain, please? My best regards.

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@ Cristovam
Can you explain why you agree?

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“Political parlance” doesn’t work here because the word ‘parlance’ refers to a specific way of speaking and using certain phrases. Another word for parlance would be ‘jargon’. In the given context you need a word that has the meaning of ‘debate’, ‘discourse’, ‘discussion’, etc.

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@ TorstenEnglish Language Coach
Merriam- Webster dictionary says parlance means 1 : [SPEECH] especially : formal debate or parley… battle and not parlance should determine his right and title.— John Speed

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Yes, that’s an archaic use of the word.

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I just send an answer to your request but I don`t know if you received it or not. Here I answer again: I agree because it makes sense for me. “Discourse” is more usual and “stupidity” means avarice, avidity. Am I right? Please, give me feedback about it Thanks.

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“the correct word of my message above is cupidity”.

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