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Question

Difficulty: MediumMultiple-Meaning Words

The project manager decided to temper her initial enthusiasm with caution after reviewing the unexpected supply chain delays. In this sentence, what is the meaning of the word temper?

  1. A
    harden through extreme heat
  2. moderate or tone downAnswer
  3. C
    display an angry outburst
  4. D
    aggressively accelerate

Answer

In this sentence, the word 'temper' means to moderate or tone down.
In this context, the word 'temper' is used as a verb meaning to dilute, soften, or moderate one element with another. The sentence explains that the manager balanced her enthusiasm with caution due to delays, making 'moderate or tone down' the precise fit.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and surrounding clue words
The subject is combining 'initial enthusiasm' with 'caution' in response to 'supply chain delays'.
Contextual clues reveal how the action modifies the emotional reaction to practical setbacks.
2
Determine the intended sense of the polysemous verb
The verb describes softening or moderating high expectations by introducing a balancing element.
Pairing enthusiasm with caution means restraining or toning down excitement, matching the definition 'moderate or tone down'.

Key Concept

Identifying the contextual meaning of a multiple-meaning word
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Multiple-Meaning Words

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