Question

Difficulty: MediumSynonym Context Clues

During the joint tactical exercise, the communications specialist made an astute observation, offering a shrewd and perceptive assessment that helped the unit avoid a simulated ambush. Which of the following words is the best synonym for the underlined word?

  1. A
    naive
  2. perceptiveAnswer
  3. C
    austere
  4. D
    cautious

Answer

The word 'perceptive' is the correct synonym for 'astute' in this context.
The sentence provides an explicit restatement clue immediately following the target word by characterizing the observation as 'shrewd and perceptive.' Therefore, 'perceptive' is the accurate synonym for 'astute.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the underlined word and identify embedded context clues in the surrounding sentence.
The target word 'astute' is directly followed by the clarifying participial phrase 'offering a shrewd and perceptive assessment'.
Contextual restatements and paired synonyms directly define the target vocabulary word.
2
Match the identifying keywords from the clue to the correct synonym choice.
The word 'perceptive' matches the explicit descriptive clue 'shrewd and perceptive'.
Selecting the synonym that aligns precisely with the definition provided in the sentence ensures contextual accuracy.

Key Concept

Synonym Context Clues
Estimated Time:45s
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