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Difficulty: MediumDecoding Low-Frequency Academic and Technical Words

Biologists studying the estuary noticed that the water near the river mouth was highly turbid, filled with suspended silt and organic debris washed down from recent storms. While upstream waters remained clear and allowed sunlight to reach aquatic plants, this downstream zone blocked light penetration, severely limiting photosynthesis. Consequently, only species adapted to low-light conditions could thrive in these murky waters.

Based on the context of the passage, the word turbid most nearly means which of the following?

  1. A
    rapidly flowing and turbulent
  2. thick with suspended sedimentAnswer
  3. C
    toxic and chemically contaminated
  4. D
    highly oxygenated and nutrient-rich

Answer

thick with suspended sediment
The correct answer is thick with suspended sediment. The passage describes the turbid water as being 'filled with suspended silt' and contrasts it with upstream waters that 'remained clear,' ultimately referring to the downstream zone as 'murky.' These clues point directly to a state of being clouded by sediment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target word in the passage and identify nearby descriptive words.
The target word is 'turbid'. The immediate context describes this water as 'filled with suspended silt and organic debris.'
Identifying local details provides direct clues about the physical state being described.
2
Look for contrasting or restating structural clues in the surrounding sentences.
The passage contrasts the turbid downstream water with upstream waters that 'remained clear' and goes on to describe the downstream zone as 'murky waters.'
Contrast clues (clear vs. turbid) and synonyms (murky) establish the precise meaning of the technical term.
3
Match the gathered definition (cloudy, murky, full of sediment) to the given options.
The option 'thick with suspended sediment' directly aligns with the clues indicating silt-filled and murky water.
Evaluating all options against contextual evidence ensures the selection of the most accurate definition.

Key Concept

Decoding low-frequency academic and technical vocabulary in context using contrast and definition clues
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Decoding Low-Frequency Academic and Technical Words

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