Use the sentence to answer the question. 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 contexts clues best points to the correct definition of undergrowth in the second sentence?
The set of context clues that best points to the correct definition of undergrowth in the second sentence is: "thick shrubs," "water supply increases," "aiding other plants and local animals."
The context clue that best points to the correct definition of undergrowth in the second sentence is "If the fire removes thick shrubs and undergrowth, the water supply increases, aiding other plants and local animals."
To determine the correct definition of "undergrowth" in the second sentence, we can analyze the context clues. Context clues provide hints or information within the surrounding text that can help us understand the meaning of a word. Let's examine the given sentence for context clues:
"If the fire removes thick shrubs and undergrowth, the water supply increases, aiding other plants and local animals."
From this sentence, we can infer that undergrowth is something that the fire removes along with thick shrubs. The removal of undergrowth seems to have a positive impact on the water supply, aiding other plants and local animals. Based on this information, we can conclude that undergrowth refers to the vegetation or plant growth that is present in the area and is cleared or eliminated by the fire.
Therefore, the correct definition of "undergrowth" in this context is the dense, low-lying vegetation or plants that coexist with shrubs and are cleared by fire.