Question

read the dictionary entry for vital. vital \vytal\\ adj. 1. relating to life 2. urgently needed 3. of critical importance 4. fatal which definition most closely matches the meaning of vital as it is used in paragraph 4? a definition 1 b definition 2 c definition 3 d definition 4

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the common usage of "vital" and the definitions:

• Definition 1 ("relating to life") is too narrow (e.g., "vital" often means importance, not just life-related).
• Definition 2 ("urgently needed") implies a time-sensitive need, but "vital" more strongly emphasizes importance.
• Definition 3 ("of critical importance") matches how "vital" is most commonly used (e.g., "vital to success" means critically important).
• Definition 4 ("fatal") is incorrect, as "vital" rarely means deadly.

Answer:

C. Definition 3