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Difficulty: MediumExample Context Clues

For the curved structural ribs of the canoe, the boatbuilder selected pliable materials, such as steamed ash wood, thin rattan strips, and softened birch bark. In the sentence above, what does the underlined word pliable most nearly mean?

  1. A
    submissive and easily persuaded
  2. B
    rigid and inflexible
  3. easily bent and flexibleAnswer
  4. D
    plentiful and readily available

Answer

easily bent and flexible
The sentence lists specific examples introduced by 'such as'—steamed ash wood, thin rattan strips, and softened birch bark—used specifically to build curved ribs. These examples illustrate materials that possess the quality of being easily bent and flexible without fracturing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target word and the example clue signal phrase in the sentence.
The target word is 'pliable', and the signal phrase 'such as' introduces the specific examples.
Signal words like 'such as' introduce concrete items that illustrate the meaning of an unfamiliar term.
2
Analyze the common characteristics shared by the provided examples.
The examples listed—steamed ash wood, thin rattan strips, and softened birch bark—are all materials selected specifically for curved canoe ribs.
To create curved structural ribs, the materials must be supple and capable of bending smoothly without snapping.
3
Select the definition that matches the common property demonstrated by the examples.
'easily bent and flexible' accurately captures the defining characteristic of the example materials.
Pliable in this physical context means supple, flexible, and easily bent.

Key Concept

Using example context clues to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar vocabulary word
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Example Context Clues

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