Nelson-Denny Practice Test

What does it mean to pollute or adulterate something?

1. Confidential

2. Disperse

3. Dissect

4. Contaminate

The correct answer is: Contaminate

To pollute or adulterate something typically means to make it impure or unclean, often by adding harmful substances. The term "contaminate" aligns perfectly with this definition as it implies that the original state of something is compromised by the introduction of unwanted or hazardous elements. In various contexts, such as environmental science, food safety, or chemical processes, contamination indicates a degradation of purity or quality. For instance, water pollution occurs when harmful substances like chemicals or waste products are introduced into a water source, making it unsafe for consumption or use. Similarly, adulteration of food involves mixing it with inferior substances, which can pose health risks. The other options do not convey this meaning: "confidential" relates to privacy, "disperse" refers to spreading out, and "dissect" means to cut apart for analysis. Therefore, "contaminate" is the most accurate choice as it directly captures the essence of polluting or adulterating something.