Question

For many species of birds migration is often a journey fraught with danger. For example the average songbird may weigh just half an ounce, but this tiny creature travels thousands of miles along routes that are filled with winter vines, communication towers, buildings, and other potential hazards.

What contact clues help me identify the meaning of fraught in the first sentence

Answer 1

In the context of the sentence, the word "fraught" suggests a sense of danger or difficulty associated with the journey of migration that birds undertake. To identify the meaning of "fraught," you can look at the surrounding context clues:

1. **Comparison of Weight**: The mention of the average songbird weighing just half an ounce emphasizes its vulnerability, suggesting that the journey is particularly challenging for such a small creature.

2. **Descriptive Phrases**: The phrase "journey fraught with danger" implies that the migration is filled with risks. The subsequent mention of "winter vines, communication towers, buildings, and other potential hazards" provides specific examples of the dangers encountered along the migration route.

Together, these clues imply that "fraught" refers to the presence of significant and concerning challenges or dangers in the migration process.