Lexical precision

English · C2

The rule

Choose words by exact meaning and natural combinations. Mitigate is not eliminate, and question is not always reject. An accurate familiar word is better than an inaccurate rare one.

Example

The measure mitigates the damage without eliminating its cause.

Practice

1. Mitigate means…

  1. Make less severe
  2. Remove entirely
  3. Make worse
  4. Ignore
Answer and explanation

Make less severe

Mitigate means reduce severity.

2. To question a claim means…

  1. Accept it completely
  2. Examine or doubt its validity
  3. Always ban it
  4. Repeat it exactly
Answer and explanation

Examine or doubt its validity

Questioning examines validity without automatically rejecting.

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