GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningEasy
The newly discovered exoplanet, designated Kepler-186f, orbits within its star's habitable zone, leading astronomers to speculate about the potential for liquid water and, by extension, life. However, its atmosphere is still largely ______, making definitive conclusions about its habitability premature.
- Acomprehended
- Belucidated
- Cunexplored
- Ddiscerned
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. unexplored
The sentence indicates that definitive conclusions are premature because the atmosphere's nature is unknown. 'Unexplored' fits this meaning perfectly, suggesting a lack of sufficient data.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Comprehended' means understood, which is the opposite of the implied meaning of unknown.
- B. 'Elucidated' means clarified or explained, which is the opposite of 'unknown'.
- D. 'Discerned' means perceived or recognized, implying it has been studied, which contradicts the 'premature conclusions'.
Context Clues: Contrast
Words or phrases in a sentence that provide hints about the meaning of an unknown word by presenting an opposing idea.
- Look for signal words like 'however', 'but', 'although'.
- The unknown word will be the opposite or different from the known idea.
- Helps infer meaning without needing a dictionary.
Memory trick: Be a word detective, the sentence leaves clues!