Direction: Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. "For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone. They are like lonely persons. Not like hermits who have stolen away out of some weakness, but like great, solitary men, like Beethoven and Nietzsche. In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity, but they do not lose themselves there, they struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfil themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves. Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree. When a tree is cut down and reveals its naked death-wound to the sun, one can read its whole history in the luminous, inscribed disk of its trunk: in the rings of its years, its scars, all the struggle, all the suffering, all the sickness, all the happiness and prosperity stand truly written, the narrow years and the luxurious years, the attacks withstood, the storms endured. And every young farm-boy knows that the hardest and noblest wood has the narrowest rings, that high on the mountains and in continuing danger the most indestructible, the strongest, the ideal trees grow."
Select the most suitable word given in the passage that means 'very good and perfect'.
Exemplary
Analyzing Vocabulary in the Passage
The question asks us to find a word in the given passage that means 'very good and perfect'. We need to examine the options provided and see how they are used in the text to determine their meaning in context.
Examining the Options and Passage Context
Let's look at each option and its usage in the passage:
- Holier: The passage states, "Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree." Here, 'holier' relates to something sacred or deeply respected. While something holy can be considered perfect in a spiritual sense, the primary meaning in this context is related to sacredness or profound respect, not necessarily 'very good and perfect' in a general sense.
- Penetrating: The passage says, "For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers." 'Penetrating' here means insightful or deeply affecting. It describes how the trees' lessons are received, not that the trees themselves are 'very good and perfect'.
- Luminous: The passage mentions, "...one can read its whole history in the luminous, inscribed disk of its trunk...". 'Luminous' means emitting light or bright. It describes the appearance of the cut trunk, not something being 'very good and perfect'.
- Exemplary: The passage states, "Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree." 'Exemplary' means serving as a perfect model or a commendable example. When something is described as exemplary, it is considered very good and serves as a standard to be followed or admired. This meaning closely aligns with 'very good and perfect' in the sense of being an ideal or model of excellence.
Identifying the Suitable Word
Comparing the meanings derived from the passage context:
- 'Holier' relates to sacredness.
- 'Penetrating' relates to being insightful or affecting.
- 'Luminous' relates to being bright or emitting light.
- 'Exemplary' relates to being a perfect model or a commendable example.
The word 'exemplary' is the most suitable word from the passage that means 'very good and perfect', as it describes something that serves as an ideal standard due to its excellence.
| Word | Meaning in Passage Context | Fits 'Very Good & Perfect'? |
|---|---|---|
| Holier | More sacred or deeply respected | Partially, but not primary meaning |
| Penetrating | Insightful, deeply affecting | No |
| Luminous | Bright, emitting light | No |
| Exemplary | Serving as a perfect model; commendable | Yes |
Revision Table: Passage Vocabulary
| Term | Context in Passage | Simplified Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Penetrating preachers | Trees as insightful teachers | Deeply insightful or affecting |
| Revere them | Respecting trees deeply | To feel deep respect or admiration |
| Luminous disk | Bright, visible tree trunk rings | Emitting or reflecting light; bright |
| Exemplary tree | Tree as a perfect model | Serving as a perfect example; ideal |
Additional Information: Understanding Vocabulary in Context
When reading passages, understanding the meaning of words is crucial for comprehension. Sometimes, a word can have multiple meanings, but its specific meaning in a text is determined by how it is used with other words and sentences around it. This is called understanding vocabulary in context.
Tips for understanding words in context:
- Read the sentence containing the word carefully.
- Read the sentences before and after to get the surrounding ideas.
- Look for clues like synonyms (words with similar meanings), antonyms (words with opposite meanings), definitions, explanations, or examples provided in the text.
- Break down the word if possible (prefixes, suffixes, root words).
- If unsure, consider the overall topic of the passage and how the word fits in.
In this passage, the sentence structure and the comparison between 'holier' and 'exemplary' help clarify that 'exemplary' refers to the tree's quality as an ideal model, aligning with the idea of being 'very good and perfect'.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
