Context Clues in Non-fiction

Kiki's efforts to open the door were "futile", as it was sealed shut. She would have to turn to drastic measures in order to escape before the sun set. Grabbing the rusty shovel, Kiki started digging through the rocky ground. What does futile mean in this sentence?

Kiki's efforts to open the door were futile, as it was sealed shut. She would have to turn to "drastic" measures in order to escape before the sun set. Grabbing the rusty shovel, Kiki started digging through the rocky ground. What does drastic mean in this sentence?

Damage to roadways is usually cumulative. It's after months and months of constant wear and tear that cracks and potholes start to form. These kinds of damages can create "hazardous" driving situations. they leave roads unsafe until repairs can be made. What does "hazardous" mean in this paragraph?

Swifts "migrate" south to Central America and Venezuela every autumn. During this journey, different groups of swifts will congregate as night nears. They join together into one big group before taking shelter for the night. It's quite an amazing sight. What does "migrate" mean in the paragraph?

Swifts migrate south to Central America and Venezuela every autumn. During this journey, different groups of swifts will "congregate" as night nears. They join together into one big group before taking shelter for the night. It's quite an amazing sight. What does "congregate" mean in the paragraph?

One popular form of comedy is improvisation, in which characters make up lines and characters on the spot. it's great because it's so "spontaneous". Nothing is prepared beforehand, so it's a different kind of experience than watching a scripted play. What does "spontaneous" mean in this paragraph?

One popular form of comedy is "improvisation", in which characters make up lines and characters on the spot. it's great because it's so spontaneous. Nothing is prepared beforehand, so it's a different kind of experience than watching a scripted play. What does "spontaneous" mean in this paragraph?

If a major corporation like Exxon or McDonald's hurts the public, the public often responds in a way that hurts the corporation. One way the public can fight back is through a "boycott". The public refuses to buy a corporation's products. As a result, the corporation loses money and power. What does "boycott" mean?

If a major "corporation" like Exxon or McDonald's hurts the public, the public often responds in a way that hurts the corporation. One way the public can fight back is through a boycott. The public refuses to buy a corporation's products. As a result, the corporation loses money and power.

The weather report had said that it would only drizzle, but Cam got caught in a deluge this afternoon. It was a welcome sight, though. It had been very "arid" the past few months, and the town's crops needed as much rain as they could get. What does "arid" mean?

The weather report had said that it would only drizzle, but Cam got caught in a "deluge" this afternoon. It was a welcome sight, though. It had been very arid the past few, and the town's crops needed as much rain as they could get. What does "deluge" mean?

Damage to roadways is usually "cumulative". It's after months and months of constant wear and tear that cracks and potholes start to form. These kinds of damages can create "hazardous" driving situations. they leave roads unsafe until repairs can be made. What does "cumulative" mean in this paragraph?