Question

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 posts 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?

(1 point)

"insects, posts, fire"

water, plants, animals"

"thick shrubs, plants, trees"

"seeds, fire, animals"

Answer 1

The set of context clues that best points to the correct definition of undergrowth in the second sentence is:

"thick shrubs, plants, trees"

The sentence talks about how fire removes thick shrubs and undergrowth, subsequently suggesting that both shrubs and undergrowth can be removed, increasing the water supply and aiding other plants and local animals. This context implies that undergrowth is similar to thick shrubs and is part of the vegetation that consumes water and may inhibit the growth of other plants.