How can contrasts help define a word?

• A. By listing the word's origin only
• B. By providing synonyms only
• C. By signaling opposites through clue words
• D. By using math terms

Answer: (C)

Contrasts help define a word by signaling opposites through clue words. When a reader sees phrases that point to what something is not—like opposite of, unlike, in contrast to, or not—the meaning of the word becomes clearer because it’s anchored against something familiar. This contrast narrows the sense and highlights the boundaries of the word’s meaning. For example, in a sentence that says, “Unlike the noisy cafeteria, the room was serene,” the clue about being opposite to noisy helps us infer that serene means calm and peaceful.

Origin alone doesn’t establish meaning, and mentioning synonyms only shows a related sense rather than what makes the word distinct. Math terms are irrelevant here.