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Difficulty: MediumSecondary Meanings of Common Words

For centuries, the high-altitude pass was the only trade route connecting the isolated mountain valley to the coastal ports. Traversing this steep, narrow path would tax even the most experienced merchants and their pack animals, as the thin air and unpredictable rockslides made every step hazardous. Yet, the economic survival of the valley depended entirely on the goods brought along this route. To ensure safe passage, the local council eventually funded the construction of a wider road, which significantly reduced the physical strain of the journey.

As it is used in the passage, the word *tax* most nearly means:

  1. A
    levy a fee on
  2. strainAnswer
  3. C
    benefit
  4. D
    guide

Answer

strain
The passage describes the high-altitude pass as steep, narrow, and hazardous, stating that traversing it would 'tax' even experienced merchants and pack animals. In this context, 'tax' refers to the physical demand, strain, or wear and tear caused by the difficult journey. Therefore, the word most nearly means 'strain'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context surrounding the word 'tax' in the passage.
The passage describes the path as 'steep' and 'narrow,' with 'thin air and unpredictable rockslides' making the journey 'hazardous.'
Understanding the surrounding context helps determine the tone and connotation of the target word.
2
Determine the role of the word 'tax' in the sentence.
The passage states that traversing the path 'would tax even the most experienced merchants and their pack animals.' This indicates an action that the difficult path performs on the travelers, causing them physical difficulty.
Identifying the relationship between the subject and the verb clarifies the word's function.
3
Evaluate the answer choices to find the word that best fits this context.
The word 'strain' directly aligns with the idea of causing physical difficulty or demanding extreme effort. The other options either represent the unrelated primary meaning of the word or contradict the passage's description of a hazardous journey.
Substituting the choices back into the sentence ensures semantic and grammatical compatibility.

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Secondary Meanings of Common Words
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Secondary Meanings of Common Words

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