Along the Texas Gulf Coast, towns prepare for hurricane season each year. Engineers study how high winds tear shingles and how storm surge floods streets. To lessen these dangers, communities aim to mitigate damage: they raise homes on pilings, install shutters that deflect debris, and restore wetlands that absorb excess water like a sponge. These steps do not eliminate storms, but they reduce the impact. In contrast, ignoring outdated building codes leaves neighborhoods more exposed. After a recent storm, houses with reinforced roofs needed minor repairs, while unprotected structures required costly rebuilding. Because the goal is to limit harm rather than stop nature, officials invest in practices that make disasters less destructive over time. Such careful planning saves money, safeguards families, and speeds community recovery.

Based on the context, what does the word "mitigate" most likely mean?

Before sharing a new app with her class, Ms. Ortiz asked students to scrutinize its claims. She explained that the term means to examine carefully, not to glance quickly. The class looked for evidence: clear privacy settings, accurate graphs, and a balanced description of risks and benefits. When a flashy feature promised "instant learning," students compared reviews from different sources and found the claim exaggerated. By contrast, a second app showed how it collected only limited data and provided links to independent studies. Because the students analyzed details instead of accepting ads at face value, they chose a tool that matched their needs and protected information. Their careful review caught hidden costs, confusing permissions, and unrealistic promises in minutes. That diligence led to safer learning.

Based on the context, what does the word "scrutinize" most likely mean?

In West Texas, steady winds spin turbines across former ranchland. Some residents worry about noise, while others note that wind offers a viable source of electricity for remote towns. The term means workable or practical in real conditions, not a hopeful idea. Because the region's strong gusts are predictable and the land is wide open, turbines generate power without using water, unlike many power plants. In contrast, installing large solar fields on the same sites would be less efficient during frequent dust storms. Local schools benefit when lease payments fund new science labs, and crews learn maintenance skills. Since the energy can be stored in batteries for evening use, it supports the grid when demand rises after sunset. That reliability helps small businesses plan costs.

Based on the context, what does the word "viable" most likely mean?

After school, Jordan noticed he felt tired even though he had sat most of the day. His health teacher explained that a sedentary routine, one with lots of sitting and little movement, can sap energy over time. In contrast, short bursts of activity, like brisk walks or jumping rope, wake up muscles and improve mood. The class tracked their habits and saw a pattern: on days with video games and bus rides, students reported stiffness; on days with chores, sports, or dance practice, they slept better. Because bodies are built to move, the teacher suggested stand-and-stretch breaks during homework. Small changes, not extreme workouts, gradually boost stamina and make classwork feel easier. Even ten minutes of motion between assignments can refresh focus and posture significantly.

Based on the context, what does the word "sedentary" most likely mean?

In West Texas, wind turbines once dotted only a few ranches, but their numbers have proliferated in the last decade. Because steady plains winds and state incentives lowered costs, companies built more towers each year, transforming the skyline. This growth contrasts with earlier years, when projects were rare and small. Now, long blades sweep over mesquite and cotton fields, feeding electricity into expanding transmission lines. The rise in wind power also eased strain on drought-stressed reservoirs, since turbines produce energy without using water. In other words, the turbines multiplied, while older, water-hungry plants stalled. Communities adjusted: some ranchers lease land for extra income; others plan around blinking lights at night. The word "proliferated" helps explain how quickly the industry changed across the region since 2010.

Based on the passage, what does the word "proliferated" most likely mean?

Students building an app learned that strong security isn't an afterthought; it prevents problems before they spread. Their teacher explained that long, unique passwords and two-step logins help mitigate breaches. Because these steps block many attackers, a stolen password is less damaging, and alerts let users react quickly. The class compared two scenarios: one team reused simple passwords and was easily hacked; the other used password managers, updated software, and backed up files, so mistakes caused limited harm. In short, these precautions do not eliminate risk, but they shrink it. By adding layers—like seat belts and airbags in a car—the students could mitigate, or lessen, the impact of a cyberattack and keep their project running safely throughout testing and after release to users everywhere.

Based on the passage, what does the word "mitigate" most likely mean?

Researchers studying middle school sleep noticed that even brief daytime naps improved attention. Because a 15–20 minute rest restores focus without entering deep sleep, it can confer real benefits. Students who napped solved problems faster and made fewer careless errors, which in turn raised their quiz scores. By contrast, long afternoon naps left some students groggy, delaying homework. Teachers suggested simple routines: dim lights, silence notifications, and set a timer. These steps did not create new skills, but they enhanced existing ones by giving the brain a short break. In this way, a planned nap could confer, or provide, an advantage similar to a water stop during a race—it doesn't change the runner, yet it helps performance. The effect is small but meaningful for learners.

Based on the passage, what does the word "confer" most likely mean?

Along the Texas Gulf Coast, a late-summer storm stalled and dropped record rain. Streets became rivers, and schools closed for weeks. Yet many neighborhoods proved resilient. Because neighbors organized boat rescues, shared generators, and set up donation drives, families returned home sooner than expected. This outcome contrasts with earlier floods, when help arrived slowly and recovery dragged on. Public works crews cleared debris quickly, and librarians opened branches as cooling centers. Resilient does not mean untouched; houses were soaked and belongings ruined. Instead, it describes a community that bends without breaking and rebounds after stress. By learning from past hurricanes and improving drainage, towns strengthened their ability to respond, so the next storm caused disruption but not lasting defeat. Recovery remained hard, but progress continued.

Based on the passage, what does the word "resilient" most likely mean?