Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyWords in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

In a recent study, marine biologists warned that rising ocean temperatures could severely ________ the immune systems of coral reefs. When corals are exposed to prolonged heat stress, their ability to fight off bacterial infections is significantly weakened.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

  1. A
    negotiate
  2. B
    bolster
  3. compromiseAnswer
  4. D
    concede

Answer

compromise
The correct answer is the word 'compromise.' In this context, 'compromise' is used in its secondary meaning, which is to weaken, damage, or make vulnerable. The second sentence of the passage states that exposure to heat stress causes the corals' ability to fight off infections to be 'significantly weakened,' which directly supports the idea that rising temperatures damage or compromise their immune systems.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the passage to identify clues about the missing word.
The passage notes that heat stress causes the corals' ability to fight infections to be 'significantly weakened.'
This indicates that the blank must be filled by a word meaning to weaken, damage, or make vulnerable.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the word that fits this meaning.
The word 'compromise' can mean to weaken or make vulnerable, which perfectly fits the context.
This choice completes the sentence logically and precisely.

Key Concept

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

More questions from this topic