Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the passage excerpt below carefully:

"In his critique of modern technological development, the essayist did not discount the tangible benefits of automation; rather, he sought to temper the uncritical enthusiasm of tech advocates. While others chose to champion reckless expansion, he urged scholars to harbor a healthy degree of skepticism regarding untrammeled digital growth."

Based on the excerpt above, match each emboldened word on the left with its precise contextual meaning on the right.

  • discountDismiss or minimize the significance of an idea
  • temperModerate, soften, or balance an extreme tendency
  • championVigorously advocate, support, or defend a cause
  • harborMaintain or hold a particular feeling or attitude in mind

Answer

'discount' matches 'Dismiss or minimize the significance of an idea', 'temper' matches 'Moderate, soften, or balance an extreme tendency', 'champion' matches 'Vigorously advocate, support, or defend a cause', and 'harbor' matches 'Maintain or hold a particular feeling or attitude in mind'.
Each word is correctly paired according to its specific contextual function in the excerpt: 'discount' means to dismiss or minimize significance, 'temper' means to moderate extreme enthusiasm, 'champion' means to actively advocate for a cause, and 'harbor' means to hold an attitude in mind.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context around each highlighted word in the passage excerpt.
Identified the grammatical function and contextual nuances of 'discount', 'temper', 'champion', and 'harbor'.
Words often change meaning based on register, syntax, and thematic context.
2
Differentiate contextual meanings from literal dictionary definitions or secondary meanings.
Eliminated literal meanings like financial price reduction for 'discount', metallic toughening for 'temper', athletic winner for 'champion', and port/haven for 'harbor'.
JAMB contextual vocabulary questions evaluate semantic precision within a specific reading passage.
3
Pair each word with its corresponding contextual definition.
Mapped each word accurately to its contextual equivalent on the right.
Ensures precise substitution and syntactic coherence within the passage.

Key Concept

Contextual Word Meaning and Polysemy
Rate this question

Topics

Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

More questions from this topic