Certain trees, in fact, produce seeds only when fire heats them. If the fire removes thick shrubs and undergrowth, the water supply increases, aiding other plants and local animals. Fire also may kill predatory insects or pests that live on and damage otherwise healthy trees.
Which set of context clues best points to the correct definition of undergrowth in the second sentence?
A) thick, shrubs, other plants, local animals
B) heat, seeds, water supply, predatory insects
C) trees, fire, shrubs, pests
D) seeds, fire, undergrowth, insects
A) thick, shrubs, other plants, local animals
To determine the correct definition of "undergrowth" in the given context, we can look for context clues. Context clues are words or phrases in a sentence or paragraph that provide hints or information about the meaning of a word. Let's examine the provided sentences to identify the context clues that can help us understand the meaning of "undergrowth."
In the second sentence, the words "thick shrubs" and "water supply increases" are the relevant context clues. These clues suggest that the undergrowth is something that is dense, grows low to the ground, and potentially affects the availability of water.
Based on these clues, we can infer that "undergrowth" refers to the dense vegetation or plants that grow beneath taller plants or trees, typically consisting of shrubs, bushes, or low-lying vegetation. In this context, the undergrowth impedes water supply by competing for resources with other plants.
Therefore, the correct definition of "undergrowth" in the given context is the dense vegetation or plants that grow beneath taller plants or trees, often consisting of shrubs, bushes, or low-lying vegetation.