Read the excerpt below carefully:
"During the parliamentary debate on fiscal policy, the Minister's elastic interpretation of budget guidelines drew sharp criticism from backbenchers who argued that such flexibility would compromise national savings. Nevertheless, the committee chairman sought to reconcile the conflicting amendments before the session was adjourned."
Based on the passage above, match each highlighted word on the left with its precise contextual meaning on the right.
- elastic (in 'elastic interpretation')Flexible and adaptable to differing circumstances
- compromise (in 'compromise national savings')Endanger or expose to risk
- reconcile (in 'reconcile the conflicting amendments')Harmonize or bring into agreement
- adjourned (in 'session was adjourned')Temporarily suspended or ended
Answer
'elastic' matches 'Flexible and adaptable to differing circumstances'; 'compromise' matches 'Endanger or expose to risk'; 'reconcile' matches 'Harmonize or bring into agreement'; 'adjourned' matches 'Temporarily suspended or ended'.
Each word is matched to its precise contextual meaning as determined by the surrounding passage cues. 'Elastic' modifies interpretation to indicate adaptability; 'compromise' functions as a verb meaning to jeopardize; 'reconcile' denotes bringing opposing amendments into harmony; and 'adjourned' refers to suspending a formal assembly.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Contextual Word Meaning in Passage Excerpts