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Difficulty: HardContext Clues for Synonyms

Although the battalion commander initially proposed an aggressive dawn assault, he tempered his strategy after reconnaissance reports revealed fortified defensive positions along the ridge. In this context, the word "tempered" most nearly means which of the following?

  1. A
    hardened
  2. moderatedAnswer
  3. C
    intensified
  4. D
    abandoned

Answer

moderated
In the sentence, the word 'tempered' is used in its secondary sense meaning to dilute, moderate, or soften the intensity of something. The contrast clue 'Although' shows that the commander moved away from an 'aggressive' stance after learning about enemy fortifications, making 'moderated' the precise synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence structure and identify transition signals
The subordinating conjunction 'Although' introduces a contrast between the initial plan ('aggressive dawn assault') and the subsequent revision.
Contrast context clues establish an opposing relationship between two clauses in a sentence.
2
Evaluate the cause-and-effect relationship in the main clause
The discovery of 'fortified defensive positions' logically compels a prudent commander to make the attack less risky and less aggressive.
Context clues from surrounding details dictate the direction of the semantic shift.
3
Match the contextual deduction to the synonym choices
To 'temper' an aggressive plan means to soften, moderate, or tone it down, which matches 'moderated'.
The correct synonym must preserve both the grammatical function and the specific contextual nuance.

Key Concept

Using contrast and situational context clues to determine the secondary meaning of a polysemous word
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Context Clues for Synonyms

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