Question

Fill in the blank with a suitable option:
In its context, the word "portend" (line 57381) means __________________________.

• A. predict, and alludes to the superstition that the motion of glowworms could be interpreted to foretell future events
• B. predict, and alludes to the superstition that comets, meteors, and other natural phenomena were omens of evil
• C. forecast, and alludes to the fact that the behavior of insects can be used to predict the next day's weather
• D. imitate, and suggests that glowworms mimic the cyclical flight of comets
• E. weigh, and makes clear that glowworms are oblivious to the dramatic upheavals of human life

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

predict, and alludes to the superstition that comets, meteors, and other natural phenomena were omens of evil

To be a sign that something bad is likely to happen in the future is portend

Hence option b is correct as predictions are made that comets were omens of evil.

The passage is about superstitions, unnatural things, natural things, their predictions.

other options are not correct because they belong to different lines from the passage.