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Difficulty: MediumIdentifying Synonymous Context Clues

When establishing forward supply caches in arid regions, logistical personnel must verify that stored rations remain desiccated—that is to say, completely dried—before sealing storage lockers. Excess moisture inside shipping containers promotes fungal growth and rapid food spoilage. Inspecting packing seals and humidity indicators guarantees that emergency supplies remain wholesome and ready for field distribution.

As used in the passage, the word "desiccated" most nearly means:

  1. A
    subject to fungal growth
  2. completely driedAnswer
  3. C
    rapidly distributed
  4. D
    heavily fortified

Answer

completely dried
The correct answer is directly stated in the text through a synonymous context clue. The author uses em-dashes and the explanatory transition 'that is to say' to explicitly clarify that 'desiccated' means 'completely dried'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target word in the passage.
The word 'desiccated' appears in the first sentence: '...verify that stored rations remain desiccated—that is to say, completely dried—before sealing storage lockers.'
Finding the specific sentence allows for analysis of immediate contextual markers.
2
Identify the punctuation and transitional phrase signaling a definition or synonym.
The dashes set off the restatement phrase 'that is to say, completely dried'.
The phrase 'that is to say' functions as an explicit synonymous context clue defining the preceding term.
3
Select the option that matches the synonym provided in the text.
The meaning 'completely dried' matches the restated definition precisely.
The correct choice must strictly mirror the textually provided definition without adding outside assumptions.

Key Concept

Identifying Synonymous Context Clues
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Identifying Synonymous Context Clues

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