Question

Difficulty: EasyVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the sentence below carefully:

"Despite the heated debate among board members, the chairman remained temperate, refusing to raise his voice or take sides."

What is the meaning of the word temperate as used in the sentence above?

  1. moderate and self-controlledAnswer
  2. B
    mild in climate or weather
  3. C
    indifferent and completely unconcerned
  4. D
    physically cold and stiff

Answer

moderate and self-controlled
The correct answer is 'moderate and self-controlled'. In the given context, 'temperate' refers to maintaining composure and restraint despite surrounding conflict, as evidenced by the chairman refusing to raise his voice or take sides during a heated debate.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context surrounding the target word 'temperate'.
The sentence notes that there was a 'heated debate' and that the chairman refused to 'raise his voice or take sides'.
Contextual clues reveal that the word describes an attitude or emotional demeanor during a conflict.
2
Determine the appropriate meaning of 'temperate' that fits this context.
'Temperate' here means demonstrating self-restraint, calmness, and moderation in conduct.
The chairman stayed composed and neutral rather than becoming angry or taking sides.
3
Select the option that matches this contextual interpretation.
The definition 'moderate and self-controlled' accurately captures the intended sense of the word in the sentence.
It fits syntactically and semantically into the sentence.

Key Concept

Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context
Rate this question