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Difficulty: EasyInferring Meaning from Examples and Explanations

During routine aircraft maintenance, technicians install various buffers to protect sensitive components from mechanical wear. These protective barriers, such as rubber grommets around wiring harnesses, foam padding between aluminum panels, and nylon sleeves on hydraulic lines, absorb vibrations during flight. Without these safeguards, friction would quickly degrade vital control systems.

As used in the passage, the word "buffers" most nearly refers to which of the following?

  1. A
    Rotary polishing tools used to shine metallic exterior panels
  2. Protective cushioning materials that reduce friction and vibrationAnswer
  3. C
    Electrical wiring assemblies that transmit power to flight controls
  4. D
    Chemical solutions applied to prevent atmospheric corrosion

Answer

Protective cushioning materials that reduce friction and vibration
The passage explicitly provides an explanatory restatement by calling buffers 'protective barriers' and offers specific illustrative examples including rubber grommets, foam padding, and nylon sleeves designed to absorb vibrations. Therefore, 'buffers' refers directly to protective cushioning materials that reduce friction and vibration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target word 'buffers' in the opening sentence of the passage.
The word is introduced in the context of aircraft maintenance to protect components from wear.
Establishing the initial context helps identify where explanations or examples begin.
2
Identify the direct explanatory appositive and illustrative examples immediately following the target word.
The text directly defines buffers as 'protective barriers' and lists examples: 'rubber grommets,' 'foam padding,' and 'nylon sleeves.'
Concrete examples provide clear attributes (cushioning, barrier protection, vibration absorption) of the target term.
3
Synthesize the examples to select the matching definition.
The phrase 'protective cushioning materials that reduce friction and vibration' precisely matches the function and examples provided in the text.
The correct answer must align with the explanatory context rather than secondary or everyday dictionary meanings.

Key Concept

Inferring Vocabulary Meaning from Examples and Explanations
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Inferring Meaning from Examples and Explanations

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