Read the passage below. Based on the context of the passage, which single lowercase word best completes the blank to convey a tone of subtle, gradual, and hidden destructiveness?
Answer:For decades, ecologists viewed the introduction of the subterranean clover to the valley not as a threat, but as a minor, manageable curiosity. However, recent field studies reveal that this invasive plant has quietly displaced several native wildflower species. Rather than a benign addition, the clover's presence has proved to be 【insidious】, systematically altering the soil chemistry to inhibit the growth of surrounding flora.
Answer
The blank is best completed with 'insidious' (or 'pernicious') to represent the slow, unnoticed, and destructive nature of the clover's spread.
The correct answer is 'insidious' (or 'pernicious') because the text describes how the plant 'quietly' took over and 'systematically' altered the environment. This emphasis on a slow, hidden process that causes eventual harm is the definition of insidious.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Connotation and Tone of Words in Context
Estimated Time:1m 30s