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ASVAB · Context Clues

In the sentence 'The arid desert received almost no rain,' the word 'arid' most nearly means:

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Correct answer

Dry

  1. A Dry
  2. B Crowded
  3. C Cold
  4. D Beautiful

Why this is the answer

ARID means extremely DRY, lacking moisture. The context clue ('desert,' 'almost no rain') points directly to 'dry.' The ASVAB Word Knowledge subtest includes words used in a sentence — use the CONTEXT to determine meaning. Deserts are arid (dry) regions. When a word appears in a sentence, the surrounding words give strong hints; here, 'no rain' confirms 'dry.'
Source: ASVAB Word Knowledge — Context Clues

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This question is from our ASVAB Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Context Clues and other topics.

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About this topic: Context Clues

Context-clue questions give the word inside a sentence; the surrounding words tell you whether it is positive or negative, large or small, action or state. Use that before reaching for a definition. This is one of 10 Word Knowledge questions on context clues, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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