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Difficulty: EasyInferring Meaning from Examples and Explanations

In temperate deciduous forests, the ground is covered by a dense layer of litter, such as fallen autumn leaves, shed bark, decaying twigs, and pine needles. This layer serves as a natural blanket that retains moisture and insulates soil organisms from extreme temperatures. Over time, earthworms and fungi break down this organic material into nutrient-rich humus.

As used in the passage, the word "litter" most nearly means which of the following?

  1. A
    Discarded human trash and plastic waste
  2. Fallen plant debris and organic matterAnswer
  3. C
    A group of newborn animal offspring
  4. D
    Chemical fertilizers applied by foresters

Answer

Fallen plant debris and organic matter
The author provides a direct illustrative list immediately after using the target word ("such as fallen autumn leaves, shed bark, decaying twigs, and pine needles"). These examples clearly establish that in this ecological context, the word refers to natural organic plant debris resting on the ground.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target word in the sentence and scan for direct clue indicators.
The word "litter" is immediately followed by the illustrative phrase "such as fallen autumn leaves, shed bark, decaying twigs, and pine needles."
Signal phrases like "such as" introduce concrete examples that clarify the exact meaning of an unfamiliar or polysemous word.
2
Identify the common category that unites the listed examples.
Leaves, bark, twigs, and needles are all dead or shed plant materials that form organic ground cover.
Generalizing the specific examples reveals the contextual definition of the term.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one matching this category while disregarding unrelated everyday meanings.
The choice describing fallen plant debris directly matches the examples, whereas choices involving garbage or newborn animals do not fit.
Contextual clues in reading comprehension supersede standard vernacular definitions.

Key Concept

Inferring word meaning from illustrative examples and lists
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Inferring Meaning from Examples and Explanations

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