Question

Match each underlined word to its correct meaning based on the context of the sentence. Tom had long been picking his way cautiously through this treacherous forest; stepping from tuft to tuft of rushes and roots, which afforded precarious footholds among deep sloughs. It was a dreary memento of the fierce struggle that had taken place in this last foothold of the Indian warriors. He was sulky, however, and would not come to terms: she was to go again with a propitiatory offering, but what it was she forbore to say. At this propitious time of public distress did Tom Walker set up as a usurer in Boston.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Tom had long been picking his way cautiously through this treacherous forest;  stepping from tuft to tuft of rushes and roots, which afforded precarious footholds among deep sloughs.  - 3.dangerous.

B. It was a dreary memento of the fierce struggle that had taken place in this last foothold of the Indian warriors. - 4.bleak.

C. He was sulky, however, and would not come to terms: she was to go again with a propitiatory offering,  but what it was she forbore to say. - 2.conciliatory.

D. At this propitious time of public distress did Tom Walker set up as a usurer in Boston. - 1.favorable .

Explanation:

The given underlined words in each sentence are-

1. "Precarious" refers to something unstable, unconfirmed, dangerous, uncertain, unreliable. So, when used in the given sentence, it suggests the dangerousness of the foothold that Tom had to depend on.

2. The word "dreary" is also used for something dull, uninteresting, bleak. It is used to describe the banal, cheerless memento of the fight the Indian warriors had given.

3. "Propitiatory" is another word used to describe something that is like a conciliatory offering, a token of appeasement, or trying to please someone or something. In the given sentence, it is used to describe how she will be offering a conciliatory act to him.

4. The word "propitious" is synonymous with something favorable, advantageous, presenting a promising idea. And in its use, the sentence presents how the public distress is favorable for Tom Walker to set up his office.