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Difficulty: MediumWord Precision and Clarity

In 132 CE, the Chinese polymath Zhang Heng introduced a device that could detect earthquakes from hundreds of miles away. This invention, a large bronze vessel adorned with dragons and frogs, was initially met with skepticism by the imperial court. However, its utility became clear when one of the dragons dropped a bronze ball into a frog's mouth, indicating an earthquake had occurred to the west. A messenger arrived days later to verify the disaster, proving the device's ability to spot seismic activity that could not be felt locally.

Which choice provides the most precise and clear wording for the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    perceive
  3. registerAnswer
  4. D
    catch

Answer

The word 'register' provides the most precise and clear wording for the passage.
The word 'register' is the most precise and appropriate choice because it specifically describes an instrument detecting or recording physical data. This fits the formal and scientific register of the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence and the established tone of the passage.
The passage discusses a historical scientific invention (Zhang Heng's seismograph) in a formal, academic tone.
Identifying the register and context helps narrow down the appropriate vocabulary choices.
2
Evaluate the underlined word and each alternative choice for precision, clarity, and register.
The original word 'spot' and the alternative 'catch' are too informal. The word 'perceive' implies conscious sensory experience, which is incorrect for a mechanical instrument. The word 'register' is precise and fits the scientific context of a device recording data.
This determines which word provides the most accurate and stylistically appropriate meaning.

Key Concept

Word Precision and Clarity
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Word Precision and Clarity

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