Question

during the rest of the afternoon and evening, we managed only two more argo passes over the wreck because of bad weather. but we did discover to our surprise and sadness that the ship was broken in two-her stern was missing. where the back of the ship should have been, our video images faded into a confusing mass of twisted wreckage.

-exploring the titanic,
robert d. ballard

use context clues to figure out the meaning of the word \stern.\ write one to three sentences explaining your definition.

Explanation:

Identify the target word and context

The target word is "stern." The passage states: "...the ship was broken in two-her stern was missing. Where the back of the ship should have been, our video images faded..."

Analyze the context clues

The author uses Context Clues to define the word. Immediately after mentioning that the "stern was missing," the text explains, "Where the back of the ship should have been..." This direct contrast and explanation shows that "stern" refers to the back part of a ship.

Formulate the definition and explanation

Using Vocabulary Acquisition skills, we can define "stern" as the rear or back part of a boat or ship. The explanation will point out that the text directly links the missing "stern" to "where the back of the ship should have been."

Answer:

Based on the context clues in the passage, the word "stern" means the back or rear part of a ship. The author directly explains this by stating that the stern was missing, and then immediately describing that same area as "where the back of the ship should have been." Therefore, the text uses a restatement clue to clarify that the stern is the rear section of the vessel.