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ACT Reading 2.9 Social Science Passage 195 Views


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Description:

ACT Reading 2.9 Social Science Passage. Based on its context in the passage, which of the following would be the best synonym for the word "transitory"?

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

Here's your Shmoop du jour, brought to you by prison. The only place where the toilets

00:08

are more disgusting than at gas stations.

00:18

Based on its context in the passage, which of the following would be the best synonym

00:23

for the word "transitory"?

00:34

"Transitory" pops up in line 81 at the end of an incredibly long sentence.

00:39

The gist of what Ferri is saying here is that a lot of previous methods of trying to rehabilitate

00:43

criminals haven't worked so well, because ex-cons often relapse.

00:47

So with the word "transitory," he's trying to get across the idea that these rehabilitations...

00:53

don't last too long.

00:55

Another clue about the meaning of "transitory" is the prefix "trans," which means "to change or go across something"

01:03

Other words where it has a similar meaning include "transition" and "transfer."

01:07

So we know we're looking for a definition for "transitory" that seems like it's

01:11

in the same family as these other "trans" words.

01:14

"Flawed" kind of makes sense in the context, because Ferri is pointing out a big time flaw

01:18

in the criminal justice system.

01:19

But ultimately it doesn't fit with the specific point Ferri is trying to make.

01:23

So, Choice (C) is a no.

01:25

Relapsed criminals running around everywhere is definitely "risky."

01:29

But we can eliminate choice (D) for same reasons as (C).

01:32

(A) is a cut for sure. "Permanent" doesn't make sense in the context, and it gets across

01:37

the opposite idea of most "trans" words.

01:40

"Temporary" fits the bill. It lives in the same world of many "trans" words...

01:45

...which often describe something that's only a certain way for a brief amount of time...

01:49

...and it also helps to describe the short-lived rehabilitations of many criminals.

01:54

Maybe "criminals" isn't a PC term. Maybe we should call them "legally challenged" instead.

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