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.

Question

Which set of context clues best points to the correct definition of undergrowth in the second sentence?

Answer 1

The context clues in the second sentence that best point to the correct definition of undergrowth are "thick shrubs" and "water supply increases." These clues suggest that undergrowth refers to the vegetation or plants that grow underneath the taller trees or shrubs.