Question

the following text is adapted from alice dunbar nelsons 1899 short story \the fisherman of pass christian.\ pass christian is a city in the us state of mississippi.
the swift breezes on the beach at pass christian meet and conflict as though each strove for the mastery of the air. the land - breeze blows down through the pines, resinous, fragrant, cold, bringing breath - like memories of dim, dark woods shaded by myriad pine - needles. the breeze from the gulf is warm and soft and languorous, blowing up from the south with its suggestion of tropical warmth.
as used in the text, what does the word \mastery\ most nearly mean?
a. familiarity
b. domination
c. comprehension
d. skillfulness

Explanation:

The word "mastery" in the context of the text is closest in meaning to "skillfulness". "Mastery" implies a high level of skill or expertise. "Skillfulness" also conveys the idea of having skill. "Familiarity" means knowing something well. "Domination" means having control over something. "Comprehension" means understanding.

Answer:

D. Skillfulness