Across West Texas, wind turbines dot the plains, converting steady gusts into electricity. During scorching summers, when air conditioners strain the grid, wind power helps mitigate outages by supplying extra energy at crucial hours. Unlike fossil-fuel plants that emit heat-trapping gases, these spinning towers produce no smoke; instead, they reduce the burden on older generators. Critics worry about wildlife collisions; however, new siting guidelines and slower night rotations lessen risks, further limiting problems rather than intensifying them. In drought years, another advantage emerges: wind generation uses almost no water, in contrast to some power stations that require vast cooling. Because it eases pressure—rather than worsens it—on both the grid and water supplies, wind energy clearly serves to mitigate potential stress during peak demand periods statewide.

In the passage, the word "mitigate" most likely means —

Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, new rail lines stretched across Texas, linking farms and towns to ports and markets. This access did more than shorten travel; it provided the impetus for migration. Because trains cut costs and time, families from Mexico and the American South moved toward growing cities like San Antonio and Houston, seeking steady wages in mills and shipyards. In contrast, isolated communities without stations expanded slowly, lacking the spark that reliable transportation supplied. Newspapers described how grain reached buyers faster and cattle arrived healthier, further encouraging settlements along the tracks. The railroads did not guarantee prosperity, but they acted as the initial push that set growth in motion, an impetus that changed where and how people lived in Texas.

Based on the passage, the word "impetus" most nearly means —

In medicine, doctors warn that when antibiotics are used for viral illnesses, they offer no cure yet still pressure bacteria to adapt. As a result, resistant strains proliferate, spreading quickly through hospitals and communities. Instead of dwindling after treatment, these hardy microbes multiply, passing along traits that block common drugs. For example, when patients stop a prescription early, surviving bacteria encounter fewer rivals and expand even faster, which leads to longer illnesses and higher costs. By contrast, careful use—taking the full course and avoiding unnecessary pills—slows growth and keeps most infections manageable. Because misuse causes harmful bacteria to proliferate rather than fade, public health campaigns emphasize prevention, such as handwashing and vaccination, to reduce the opportunities for these germs to thrive within our communities today.

What is the best definition of "proliferate" as used in the passage?

During prolonged drought, Texas water managers track reservoir levels and river flows to plan supplies for cities and farms. When rainfall is scarce and evaporation rises, officials may curtail outdoor watering to protect essential uses like drinking and firefighting. The rule doesn't end all irrigation; rather, it limits frequency—for example, permitting watering only on certain days—so aquifers can recover. In contrast, if lakes overflow after heavy storms, restrictions are eased because conservation goals have been met. Public notices explain that curtailing use prevents shortages and costly emergency deliveries. By reducing nonessential demand now, communities avoid more severe cutbacks later. The policy is designed not to eliminate water service, but to curtail it, keeping use within safe, sustainable bounds until conditions improve across the region.

As used in the passage, the word "curtail" most likely means —

In Central Texas, drought stretches for months, shrinking reservoirs and browning fields. To prepare, several cities adopted water-reuse systems that send cleaned wastewater through purple pipes for irrigation and industry. This approach helps to mitigate shortages—reducing the pressure on drinking supplies—because every gallon reused is a gallon not taken from lakes. The strategy does not eliminate risk; in an exceptionally dry year, officials must still limit lawn watering and repair leaks. Yet, in contrast to doing nothing, reuse eases the burden on aquifers and keeps crops alive longer. Austin also offers rebates for high-efficiency fixtures, another measure that lessens demand. Together, these actions show how planning can mitigate, rather than magnify, the effects of prolonged drought across the region. Residents notice steadier supplies in drought.

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

In West Texas, steady winds and wide-open rangeland create ideal conditions for turbines. After the state expanded transmission lines, wind farms began to proliferate, spreading quickly across the plains. New projects appeared not by accident but because lower costs and tax incentives encouraged rapid growth. The increase was not slight; in just a few years, thousands of additional megawatts came online. Rather than remaining rare, turbines became common sights beside grazing cattle and pumpjacks. This expansion also diversified the energy grid, providing power at night when solar panels rest. Although wind is intermittent, storage and forecasting help operators balance supply and demand. As wind installations proliferate, communities debate placement and wildlife impacts, yet the overall trend shows swift, widespread adoption. Growth continues across high-capacity corridors.

In this passage, what does the word 'proliferate' most likely mean?

During long study sessions, many students sit for hours, which can cause stiff muscles and foggy concentration. Short, regular movement breaks can alleviate these problems by easing tension and restoring focus. For example, a five-minute walk increases blood flow, and gentle stretches loosen tight shoulders. As a result, students often return to their desks feeling clearer and more alert. This strategy does not cure every issue, and skipping sleep will still hinder learning. However, in contrast to consuming another sugary drink, which may briefly spike energy before a crash, movement relieves discomfort without side effects. Teachers sometimes schedule brain breaks between tasks to alleviate stress so students can persist longer. Simple habits, practiced consistently, reduce strain and support healthier study routines. These habits build endurance.

What does the word 'alleviate' most likely mean as used in the passage?

When historians analyze early railroad maps, they examine how planners worked to delineate routes. To delineate is to mark or describe something with precision, and engineers did exactly that: they measured grades, plotted curves, and traced lines that distinguished main tracks from spurs. Clear routes reduced accidents; vague diagrams invited costly mistakes and delays. Because shipping schedules depended on agreed pathways, officials insisted on detailed drawings rather than rough sketches. For example, a depot might be specified as the line's anchor, while sidings were excluded from the primary timetable to prevent confusion. In contrast to rumors or memories, which can shift, maps delineate pathways in a consistent way, allowing dispatchers to coordinate trains and communities to understand where tracks would run. Accuracy protected shipments safely.

Based on the context, what does the word 'delineate' most likely mean?