Context Clue Inference Practice Test

What does the word artisan mean in this historical narrative?

Maria visits a medieval market in her imagination for a writing assignment. She watches an artisan carve wooden spoons with smooth, even cuts. The seller explains how he chooses dry wood so it will not crack. Nearby, an apprentice practices under a master’s watchful eye, repeating the same motion until it looks right. A guild inspector checks the finished spoons for rough edges. Maria understands that an artisan makes useful objects with skill, not just speed.

Based on the context, which word could best replace erosion?

Waves crash against a rocky shore day after day. Priya notices that a small arch in the cliff looks wider each year. Her teacher explains that moving water and wind slowly break rock apart and carry pieces away. This process is erosion. The broken pieces become sediment that drifts along the coast. When the water becomes calmer, deposition happens and the particles settle into new sandbars.