Question

read the passage and then answer the question.

at high latitudes, one might look into the night sky and see dazzling curtains of colorful light. this brilliant sight, known as an aurora, is the result of solar winds. solar winds occur when the outer layers of the sun boil off due to the intense heat, emitting streams of magnetically charged particles into the surrounding space.

some of these solar wind particles end up traveling in earth’s direction. if unimpeded, these particles would have deleterious effects on human health, increasing the risk of heart failure and other health problems. but earth’s magnetic poles—located near the geographic north and south poles—create a magnetic field that protects the planet from the solar wind particles. some of these particles, however, do manage to break free and end up colliding with oxygen and nitrogen in earth’s atmosphere. the collisions release energy, thus creating the aurora’s stunning display.

what is the meaning of brilliant as used in the passage?

shining

visible

intelligent

surprising

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Explanation:

The passage describes the aurora as "dazzling curtains of colorful light" and a "stunning display". The word "brilliant" here is used to describe the sight of the aurora. "Shining" fits because the aurora is a bright, luminous sight. "Visible" is too general (anything can be visible, but the aurora is specifically bright/shining). "Intelligent" refers to mental ability, not a sight. "Surprising" doesn't capture the brightness aspect. So "shining" is the correct meaning.

Answer:

shining