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Difficulty: MediumFrequently Confused Words

Because a volcanic eruption was eminent, scientists closely monitored the seismic activity and urged local authorities to prepare evacuation routes.

Which choice is the correct word to use in the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. imminentAnswer
  3. C
    prominent
  4. D
    permanent

Answer

The correct option is 'imminent' because it means about to happen or impending, which perfectly matches the context of a volcanic eruption that requires monitoring and evacuation preparation.
The correct option is 'imminent'. In this sentence, the context indicates that a volcanic eruption is about to happen, prompting scientists to monitor seismic activity and urge evacuation. 'Imminent' is an adjective meaning about to occur or impending, which fits this meaning perfectly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the meaning needed for the underlined word.
The sentence describes scientists monitoring seismic activity and urging evacuation, which indicates that the volcanic eruption is about to happen soon.
Identifying the contextual clues helps determine the precise definition required.
2
Evaluate the word in the original sentence ('eminent') and compare it with the options.
'Eminent' means famous or respected, which is incorrect. The option 'imminent' means about to happen, which fits the context. The options 'prominent' and 'permanent' do not convey the necessary meaning of an impending event.
Selecting the word that is semantically appropriate and grammatically correct resolves the frequently confused word error.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between frequently confused homophones or near-homophones (eminent vs. imminent) based on context.
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Frequently Confused Words

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