Read the passage below:
Although early cartographers expected the deep ocean floor to be a flat, featureless plain, sonar soundings revealed a *dynamic* topography of rift valleys and towering ridges. To some observers, this underwater landscape seemed *sterile*, a cold desert devoid of life. Yet, near hydrothermal vents, scientists discovered ecosystems that were *teeming* with bizarre organisms. This led to a *revolutionary* shift in how marine biologists conceptualized the limits of life on Earth.
Match each italicized word from the passage with the specific connotation or tone it carries in this context.
- dynamicSuggests active, complex geological change rather than a static state
- sterileConnotes an environment that is entirely barren and inhospitable to living organisms
- teemingConveys a sense of abundant, vibrant, and dense biological activity
- revolutionaryImplies a profound and highly transformative shift in scientific perspective
Answer
Match 'dynamic' to 'Suggests active, complex geological change rather than a static state'; 'sterile' to 'Connotes an environment that is entirely barren and inhospitable to living organisms'; 'teeming' to 'Conveys a sense of abundant, vibrant, and dense biological activity'; and 'revolutionary' to 'Implies a profound and highly transformative shift in scientific perspective'.
The correct matches align each word with its contextual connotation: 'dynamic' describes the active physical formations of the ocean floor; 'sterile' matches the description of a lifeless, barren desert; 'teeming' relates to the abundance of life around hydrothermal vents; and 'revolutionary' reflects the major, paradigm-shifting nature of the new biological concepts.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying the connotation and tone of words based on surrounding textual clues, contrasts, and descriptions.