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Question

Difficulty: MediumSynonym Context Clues

Carefully read each context sentence containing an underlined vocabulary word. Match each sentence to the synonym phrase directly defined by its embedded context clues.

  • The quarters at the forward outpost were austere—a spartan and stark living space with only bare steel bunks.Spartan and stark
  • The aviation technician was meticulous during the turbine overhaul, maintaining a painstaking and exact standard of workmanship.Painstaking and exact
  • The infantry unit completed an arduous mountain patrol, enduring an exhausting and demanding route before reaching the rally point.Exhausting and demanding
  • The reconnaissance squad executed a covert insertion, ensuring their mission remained concealed and hidden from surveillance.Concealed and hidden

Answer

Austere matches 'Spartan and stark'; Meticulous matches 'Painstaking and exact'; Arduous matches 'Exhausting and demanding'; Covert matches 'Concealed and hidden'.
Each context sentence provides an embedded synonym clue that directly defines the underlined word: 'austere' is restated after the dash as 'spartan and stark'; 'meticulous' is defined by the participial phrase 'painstaking and exact'; 'arduous' is clarified by 'exhausting and demanding'; and 'covert' is explained by 'concealed and hidden'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the sentence with the word 'austere' for punctuation or restatement markers.
The dash sets off the restatement 'a spartan and stark living space', indicating that austere means simple, bare, or spartan.
Dashes frequently introduce appositive phrases that define or restate unfamiliar words.
2
Analyze the sentence containing 'meticulous' for descriptive modifier clues.
The phrase 'maintaining a painstaking and exact standard' directly modifies the technician's actions, defining meticulous as precise and careful.
Participial phrases often elaborate on a preceding adjective by restating its characteristics.
3
Identify the contextual descriptor for 'arduous'.
The patrol is characterized by 'enduring an exhausting and demanding route', showing that arduous means strenuous or difficult.
Descriptive clauses provide immediate semantic context for the physical demands described.
4
Identify the contextual descriptor for 'covert'.
The goal of the squad was 'ensuring their mission remained concealed and hidden', identifying covert as secret or concealed.
Purpose clauses clarify the operational state required by the target term.

Key Concept

Identifying synonyms using embedded context clues such as dash restatements, appositives, and clarifying modifying clauses.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Synonym Context Clues

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