Question

question 3(multiple choice worth 2 points)
(05.03 mc)
read the following passage. then, answer the question that follows.
semiramis, the queen of assyria in 9th century b.c.e., had a plan to conquer india. for two years she prepared for this expedition. her prodigious army consisted of 3,000,000 foot - soldiers, 500,000 horsemen, and 100,000 chariots.
based on the use of a list context clue, what can you infer the word prodigious means in this passage?
a seemingly average amount
extraordinary in size and force
less than was expected
limited in power and performance

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "prodigious", we analyze the list context clue: the army has 3,000,000 foot - soldiers, 500,000 horsemen, and 100,000 chariots. These numbers are very large. Option A says "seemingly average amount", which doesn't match the large numbers. Option C says "Less than was expected", but the numbers are large, so this is wrong. Option D says "Limited in power and performance", which also doesn't match the large - scale army. Option B, "Extraordinary in size and force", fits the large numbers of the army components.

Answer:

B. Extraordinary in size and force