The old professor's office was a testament to decades of scholarly work. Books were stacked precariously on every surface, and yellowed papers covered the desk in haphazard piles. Despite the apparent disorder, he could locate any document within seconds.
As used in the text, what does the word "haphazard" most nearly mean?
random
organized
colorful
important
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The word "haphazard" in this context describes the arrangement of papers on the desk.
- Context clues: The passage mentions "apparent disorder" and papers "stacked precariously," suggesting a lack of systematic arrangement.
- Meaning: "Random" captures the sense of items being placed without a deliberate pattern or plan.
- Verify: Substituting "random piles" preserves the meaning that the papers appeared unorganized.
💡 Strategy: Always read the surrounding sentences to understand the word's function.
Choice B is incorrect because "organized" is the opposite of what the passage describes as "disorder." Choice C is incorrect because "colorful" refers to visual appearance, which isn't relevant to the arrangement of papers. Choice D is incorrect because "important" describes significance, not the manner of arrangement.