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Difficulty: HardInferring Vocabulary Meaning from Context

Although synthetic polymers are prized for being remarkably durable under mechanical stress, their environmental persistence poses a severe ecological threat. When discarded in marine ecosystems, these materials do not readily degrade; instead, they slowly fragment into microscopic particles that absorb toxic chemicals. While conservationists advocate for biodegradable substitutes, manufacturers argue that creating alternatives with comparable resilience remains difficult. In this industrial context, engineers must temper their reliance on conventional plastics by developing catalytic processes that accelerate polymer breakdown without sacrificing structural integrity.

As used in the final sentence, what does the word "temper" most nearly mean?

  1. A
    Harden
  2. ModerateAnswer
  3. C
    Intensify
  4. D
    Eliminate

Answer

Moderate
In the context of the sentence, 'temper' means to moderate, tone down, or balance. The passage discusses balancing the ecological need to decrease persistent plastic waste with the industrial reality that durable replacements are hard to engineer; thus, engineers must moderate their reliance on standard plastics.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target word in the final sentence and examine its surrounding grammatical context.
The text states that engineers must 'temper their reliance on conventional plastics' while engineering processes that allow breakdown 'without sacrificing structural integrity.'
Identifying the clause structure clarifies how the action modifies the phrase 'reliance on conventional plastics.'
2
Analyze the competing constraints and context clues present in the paragraph.
The passage contrasts ecological damage from plastic persistence against the manufacturing challenge of replacing durable materials, indicating a need for a measured middle ground.
The contrast between ecological risk and functional demand indicates that reliance should be restrained or balanced, not heightened or abruptly stopped.
3
Evaluate the answer choices to identify the word that reflects reducing or moderating an ongoing reliance.
'Moderate' matches the contextual intent of tempering or restraining an established dependence.
This contextual definition accurately reflects the author's call for balanced engineering solutions.

Key Concept

Inferring nuanced contextual word meanings from contrasting constraints within a technical passage.
Estimated Time:1m 5s
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Inferring Vocabulary Meaning from Context

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