Question 139·Easy·Words in Context
The following sentence appears in an article about a novelist’s public reading:
Though several critics leveled sharp remarks at her latest book, the author managed to temper their sting with her customary humor.
As used in the sentence, what does the word “temper” most nearly mean?
For SAT Words in Context questions, first ignore the answer choices and use the surrounding sentence to decide in your own words what the bolded word must mean (for example, "soften," "increase," "block," etc.). Pay close attention to cause-and-effect clues, contrast words like "though" or "however," and the overall tone (positive/negative). Then, match your own rough definition to the choice that best fits that meaning in this specific sentence, rather than the word’s most common or familiar meaning you might know from everyday life.
Hints
Look at the cause-and-effect in the sentence
The critics give "sharp remarks," and then the author responds with "her customary humor." Think about whether humor would usually make the remarks feel more painful or less painful.
Focus on the phrase “temper their sting”
The word "sting" here means the hurtful effect of the remarks. Ask: What would it mean to "temper" that sting—change it in what direction?
Try a simple substitute word
Cover the word "temper" and think of a basic word that fits: "The author managed to ____ their sting with her customary humor." Come up with a simple verb that makes sense before you look at the choices closely.
Step-by-step Explanation
Use the context around the word
Focus on the full sentence: "Though several critics leveled sharp remarks at her latest book, the author managed to temper their sting with her customary humor."
- "Sharp remarks" and "sting" show that the criticism is painful or harsh.
- The author uses "her customary humor" in response, which has a positive, lightening effect.
Decide what must be happening to the “sting”
Ask yourself: What does her humor probably do to the "sting" of the critics' remarks?
- Does humor usually make an insult feel worse, or less bad?
- The sentence suggests that her humor changes how hurtful the remarks feel, so that the sting is not as strong.
Put your own word in place of “temper”
Before looking closely at the choices, try a simple word in the sentence:
- "The author managed to ____ their sting with her customary humor."
- A natural meaning is something like "soften," "lessen," or "make milder" so that the remarks hurt less.
Match that meaning to the answer choices
Now compare that idea to the choices:
- A) Moderate – to make something less extreme or less intense.
- B) Heat – to make hot.
- C) Prohibit – to forbid.
- D) Anger – to make someone angry. Only A) Moderate matches the idea of making the "sting" of the sharp remarks less intense, so Moderate is the correct answer.