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Difficulty: HardVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the following excerpt carefully:

"The committee's report was criticized for employing an elastic definition of regulatory compliance, stretching statutory terms to accommodate blatant corporate infractions while penalizing minor technical oversights by smaller firms."

Based on the passage above, which of the following best captures the contextual meaning of the word elastic?

  1. A
    capable of returning to its original form after deformation
  2. excessively flexible and variableAnswer
  3. C
    deliberately fraudulent and illegal
  4. D
    strictly standardized and unyielding

Answer

The word 'elastic' contextually means excessively flexible and variable.
In the passage, 'elastic' is used figuratively to describe a definition that is stretched and altered depending on who is being evaluated. Therefore, 'excessively flexible and variable' accurately conveys this contextual meaning of loose, inconsistent application.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context surrounding the target word
The target word 'elastic' modifies 'definition of regulatory compliance' and is elaborated by the phrase 'stretching statutory terms to accommodate blatant corporate infractions'.
Contextual meaning relies on how clues in the sentence modify or define the target word.
2
Evaluate the figurative usage against literal meanings
While 'elastic' physically means stretchable or resilient, in this passage it figuratively describes a definition that is loosely applied, inconsistent, and overly pliable.
Author uses 'elastic' to highlight how compliance standards were manipulated rather than strictly enforced.
3
Select the option that best substitutes for the target word semantically
Replacing 'elastic' with 'excessively flexible and variable' preserves the precise meaning and critical tone of the sentence.
It captures both the flexibility ('stretching') and the unfair inconsistency of the committee's standards.

Key Concept

Determining Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context
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Topics

Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

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