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Question

Difficulty: HardSynonym Context Clues

Read the meteorological observation report below. Based on the paired synonym context clue set off by dashes, which word accurately completes the description of the bolded term?

Answer:During aerial reconnaissance over the mountain pass, the flight crew encountered mercurial atmospheric conditions—volatile and 【unpredictable】 weather patterns that shifted without warning.

Answer

The blank is correctly filled by 'unpredictable' (or an equivalent synonym such as 'erratic', 'unstable', 'changeable', or 'fickle').
The adjective 'mercurial' means characterized by rapid, unpredictable changeableness. The sentence uses a dash to introduce a paired synonym clue ('volatile and [blank_1]') reinforced by the clarifying clause 'that shifted without warning'. Therefore, words denoting sudden instability or unpredictability—such as 'unpredictable', 'erratic', 'unstable', or 'fickle'—correctly complete the synonym definition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target vocabulary word and its surrounding punctuation.
The bolded word is 'mercurial', followed immediately by a dash introducing a restatement phrase.
Dashes frequently enclose appositive definitions or coordinate synonym pairs that restate the target word.
2
Analyze the context clue within the dash-delimited phrase.
The phrase pairs the coordinate adjective 'volatile' with the blank ('volatile and {{blank_1}}') and concludes with the explanatory clause 'that shifted without warning'.
The coordinating conjunction 'and' links terms with parallel meaning, and the modifier indicates rapid, unforeseen change.
3
Synthesize the clues to determine the precise synonym required for the blank.
The word must mean subject to sudden, erratic change, matching 'unpredictable' or 'erratic'.
Completing the paired structure requires a direct synonym for both 'mercurial' and 'volatile'.

Key Concept

Using dash-delimited paired synonym context clues and explanatory relative clauses to determine the meaning of an advanced vocabulary word.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Synonym Context Clues

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