Question

read the passage below and answer the question that follows.
the need for mineral extraction and production is an essential activity of any technically proficient society. as minerals are produced from within a naturally occurring environment, disturbance of the environment as a result of mineral production is _______ a given. modern mining engineers must ________ be concerned not only with the production and processing of mineral commodities, but also with the mitigation of damage or changes to an environment as a result of that production and processing.
the two primary types of mine are underground mines and open - pit mines. minerals that exist mostly underground (e.g. coal, gold etc.) are generally recovered using the underground mining process. minerals like iron ore, limestone, manganese ore, and others are mostly recovered from the surface downwards in opencast mining.
-mining engineering, wikiuniversity
which of the following is the best meaning of the word \mitigation\ as used in the passage above?
o a. explosion.
o b. mildness
o c. reduction
o d. justification.

Explanation:

The word "mitigation" in the context of the passage refers to lessening or reducing the damage or changes to the environment caused by mineral production and processing. "Reduction" (Option C) is the closest in meaning. "Explosion" (Option A) is completely unrelated. "Mildness" (Option B) is about being gentle in nature, not relevant here. "Justification" (Option D) means providing a reason, which is not the sense in which "mitigation" is used.

Answer:

C. Reduction