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Question

Difficulty: EasyMultiple-Meaning Words

The marine surveyor inspected the wooden hull and confirmed that the boat was structurally sound. Which of the following is the closest meaning of the underlined word as used in this sentence?

  1. A
    audible to human hearing
  2. solid and in good conditionAnswer
  3. C
    sleeping deeply and peacefully
  4. D
    round in shape and symmetrical

Answer

solid and in good condition
The correct meaning is 'solid and in good condition'. In technical, mechanical, and maritime contexts, 'sound' means free from defect, decay, or damage, and capable of safely bearing loads or withstanding pressure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and identify the role of the underlined word
The word 'sound' is used as an adjective modifying 'boat' and paired with the adverb 'structurally', indicating physical condition and integrity.
Understanding the grammatical role and surrounding clues narrows down which definition of a polysemous word fits.
2
Evaluate the answer choices against the hull inspection context
A boat's hull needs to be sturdy, watertight, and free from rot or damage, which matches the definition 'solid and in good condition'.
Eliminating secondary meanings (such as noise or deep sleep) isolates the definition that fits structural stability.

Key Concept

Identifying the contextual meaning of a multiple-meaning adjective in a maintenance and technical setting
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Multiple-Meaning Words

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